TV fans gobsmacked as Hetty Wainthropp Investigates stars reunite decades after show ended

TV fans were blown away when Hollywood star Dominic Monaghan took his social media followers for a walk down memory lane as he reunited with an old small screen co-star. While the 48-year-old actor is best known for playing Merry Brandybuck in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, he has a past as a TV sweetheart.

And one of his biggest hits on the box was playing Geoffrey Shawcross in the classic BBC cosy crime show Hetty Wainthropp Investigates. The series, which aired from 1996 until 1998 starred Dame Patricia Routledge in the lead role.

On Saturday, Dominic took to Instagram to share a selfie of himself with his 96-year-old co-star. The pair looked in good spirits as they posed for the camera and smiled towards the lens. It comes as ITV axes Noel Edmonds' big TV comeback after just one series.

READ MORE: Rylan Clark shares 'nightmare' plane journey that left him saying 'I didn't think I'd be here'

READ MORE: Princess Andre asks Katie Price sad question about surgery before brand new face

Dominic sported short cropped hair, had a bit of designer stubble, and appeared casual in a simple black top. While Dame Patricia looked regal in a green jacket, white top and with jewellery on display.

Sharing the snap on his main grid, Dominic shared his appreciation, admiration and respect for his elder co-star. In a touching note, he wrote: "25 YEARS later! So wonderful to see Dame Patricia."

Detailing their continuing friendship, he wrote: "We always shared a love of acting, of actors, of the natural world and all of the curiosities of life, it was fantastic to spend a couple of hours doing the same! She still tells fantastic stories, loves great food and wine, and as always is sharp as a tack, with fantastic skin and style."

Dominic continued: "She taught me so much, and continues to do so, aging with a class and quality I hope to emulate."

He rounded out his post, typing: "#hettywainthroppinvestigates forever!" and added the hashtag: "#becurious."

The update stunned Dominic's followers - and fans of Dame Patricia and her backcatalogue of work. Many took to the comments section to share their joy over the charming snap.

One thrilled fan typed:" This is the best!! I loved you two in Hetty Wainthrop! You had such a good relationship on screen." And another, gushing over Dame Patricia, wrote: "So absolutely lovely to see someone aging as they should, naturally. Far more beautiful than all these plastic celebrities."

The appearance of the iconic TV star prompted many others to recall some of there other work - notably her role in the legendary sitcom, Keeping Up Appearances.

One wrote: "Hyacinth Bucket was such an institution in my childhood home and then watching Hetty Wainthrop Investigates as a teen made Patricia Routledge a stable in my life in a whole new way. (And yes, I think we all had crushes on you)."

And another, in reference to the script of the sitcom, typed: "Did she bring her sister Violet. She's the one with the Mercedes, sauna and room for a pony…"

Keeping Up Appearances ran on the BBC from 1990 until 1995 and was a ratings smash - pulling in over 16 million viewers. Dame Patricia has scaled back her acting in recent years, but has still appeared on-screen - most recently in 2024 where she featured in a special documentary about Keeping Up Appearances in which she reflected on her time on the show.

Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Threads.