Ashley Jensen has sparked engagement rumours to her former on-screen star beau Kenny Doughty six years her husband’s suicide by appearing on The Graham Norton Show wearing a ring on her wedding finger.
Ashley, who plays DI Ruth Calder in the BBC drama series Shetland, looked stunning as she sat on Norton’s famous red couch with a shiny ring clearly visible on her engagement finger as she spoke about the drama and the ‘beautiful’ Scottish island it is set on.
The actress reportedly found love with her Love, Lies and Records co-star Kenny four years after her husband Terence Beesley tragically took his own life in 2017.
While neither has publicly spoken about their relationship, they were pictured holding hands while enjoying a night out together in Bath back in 2021 and then photographed together at some show biz events, igniting speculation that they are romantically involved.
The couple have also been seen together in Bath, where Ashley lives, holding hands and enjoying meals in local restaurants.
Ashley Jensen has sparked engagement rumours to her former on-screen star beau Kenny Doughty. Pictured: The couple together on Love, Lives and Records
Ashley’s husband Terence Beesley tragically took his own life in 2017. Pictured: The couple in 2016
A source said: ‘Ashley and Kenny have been very regularly seen going to and from her flat in Bath and staying there. They have been out and about quite a lot recently. They were recently at the Bath Light The Night lantern festival.
‘There is a really lovely new-love vibe about them. Lots of holding hands and things like that. And they are both wearing rings on their engagement fingers. The rumour is very strong that they are indeed engaged.’
Ashley, 54 and Kenny, 48 met on the set of Love Lies And Records back in 2017 and allegedly grew close over the summer of 2021.
Emmy nominated Ashley has racked up an impressive list of credits over the years. She is best known for her roles in the BBC comedy series Extras, the comedy-drama detective series Agatha Raisin and ABC’s Ugly Betty but has also appeared in the sitcom Catastrophe and the 2022 two-part drama, Mayflies.
Kenny became famous for playing Brenda Blethyn’s sidekick, DS Aiden Healy, in ITV’s detective drama Vera before announcing his departure from the show in March 2023. Ironically, it led to rumours amongst fans that he was about to join Shetland.
The Yorkshire born actor has also appeared in Coronation Street, Shameless and Heartbeat. He was previously married to actress Caroline Carver.
Scottish born Ashley who played Maggie Jacobs in the hit Ricky Gervais series Extras, was left heartbroken after her husband died by suicide in 2017.
She was married to The Bill actor for ten years after they first met in 1999. They shared a son Francis, 11.
Ashley appeared on The Graham Norton Show wearing a ring on her wedding finger
Terence took his own life almost four years ago and was found by his wife in his Mercedes at the family home in Camerton, Somerset.
She told the inquest the following year: ‘I was extremely shocked by what happened that night and I will never ever forget it.
‘Terry and I had been together for 18 years, but I had no idea he was capable of what he did.’
Ashley appeared on The Graham Norton show alongside rapper and producer Diddy.
After a clip from Shetland was played, Norton remarked: ‘Shetland is so beautiful, it’s crazy beautiful.’
Ashley replied: ‘It really is, it’s got this strange, almost mythical quality about it.
‘I’ve been to places like The Joshua Tree and Death Valley and it’s this landscape and you’re like ‘this is so startling, it almost doesn’t feel real’ I felt Shetland was a bit like that as well. It’s dark and bleak and beautiful all at the same time.’