The Madame Blanc Mysteries series 4: Les Dennis rejoins guest cast for episode 5 - with a Corrie serial killer in tow
By Kaggie Hyland | Thu Apr 17 2025Les Dennis returns to The Madame Blanc Mysteries as part of a stellar soap guest cast this week - after we saw Paul Chuckle return last episode.
Fans of Channel 5's sunlit cosy crime drama will recall Les' character David previously visited Sainte Victoire - and his friend Jean (Sally Lindsay) - back in January 2023.
Now, he's back - and caught up in the latest antiques-themed crime...
What happens in episode 5 of series 4?
Episode information from Channel 5 explains: Antiques TV show Antique Antics - On Tour is filming at Jeremy and Judith’s summer home Epoustouflant.
The house bustles with people holding boxes of prized possessions. Nick, a suave presenter, hands over to Elaine, the classy antique expert, to examine the final treasure of the day with help from Gloria.
David (Les Dennis), Jean’s old friend, is also presenting on the show and looks remarkably youthful, prompting Judith and Jeremy to suspect he has had some work done.
As Nick finishes his on-camera segment a piercing scream interrupts everyone - Gloria is found standing over Elaine, who lies lifeless, foaming at the mouth.
Flashbacks reveal a series of curious events leading up to the tragedy. Earlier, the Antique Antics van had broken down, with Gloria stepping in to assist.
While David chatted with Jean via FaceTime, we find out that Paul, a former, and very fit-looking university friend of Jean is the director on Antique Antics - On Tour.
With the filming crew stranded, Jean and her friends are recruited to assist with the production. Dom, chosen for his height, holds the boom mic, while Judith handles make-up, and Jean advises on antiques.
But tensions rise when Jean and Paul reminisce about their past relationship, sparking jealousy in Dom. Distracted, he nearly drops a priceless amphora.
Meanwhile, the crowd of eager fans included a particularly devoted admirer, Nigel, who brought a gift bag for Elaine. Unease spread when Elaine quietly informed Nick that Nigel had been following her - this wasn’t the first time.
As the investigation unfolds, Inspector Caron interviews David, Paul, and Nick, trying to uncover the truth behind Elaine's sudden death. Jean is outraged when David is implicated, determined to clear her friend’s name. But as secrets unravel, the question remains - who is truly responsible for Elaine’s death?
The Madame Blanc Mysteries series 4 episode 5 guest cast
So Les Dennis has been in The Madame Blanc Mysteries before as David
National treasure Les Dennis is no stranger to The Madame Blanc Mysteries.
His affable antiques expert character David first appeared in the show in series 2, episode 5.
David - an old Manchester pal of Jean - arrived in Sainte Victoire with his gorgeous new husband George (played by Holby's David Ames) by his side.
The honeymoon period didn't last long, however, as they were followed around the town, after receiving a pack of Tarot cards as a wedding gift. David was subsequently attacked with a pillow... we'll say no more in case you've not watched that episode yet!
In the present day, David is enjoying a new lease of life as an expert on popular TV show, Antique Antics. He's vying for a role on a spin-off show against fellow dealer Elaine, who ends up this week's murder victim.
Les Dennis' career history
Most British viewers will be familiar with at least some of Les Dennis' work, first recognised in the 1970s with his comedy double act alongside the now late Dustin Gee, and skits on The Russ Abbot Show.
He truly became a primetime A-lister in 1987 when he took over hosting duties of the massive ITV quiz show Family Fortunes.
Over the years Les has also flexed his acting muscle with roles in many popular drama series and soaps, including Brookside, The Bill, Casualty and Hotel Babylon.
The jewel in his acting crown is his role as Michael Rodwell in Coronation Street between 2014 and 2016. Michael was introduced as a petty thief with a conscience who ended up in an ill-fated marriage to Gail McIntrye (forever better known as Platt to many). He left the cobbles for good following a heart attack after a brush with Corrie psycho Pat Phelan.
Les' TV CV can't be discussed without mention of his appearance on Celebrity Big Brother in 2002, as he grappled with his marriage to Amanda Holden falling apart before the nation's eyes.
An appearance on Ricky Gervais' Extras in 2005 - in which Les played an exaggerated version of himself - is also the stuff of legend, and arguably breathed life back into his career.
Les, currently 71, is clearly a lover of the cosy crime genre too - aside from his Madame Blanc dalliances, he's had roles in Death In Paradise and The Sister Boniface Mysteries in recent years.
Edward MacLiam plays Paul
Paul is director/producer of Antique Antics - and an old uni friend of Jean. Dom appears to take a bit of an instant dislike to Paul, who receives compliments from Jean after losing four stone.
Irish actor Edward will likely be best known to most Madame Blanc fans as the handsome and charming surgical registrar Greg Douglas in Holby City, appearing between 2010 and 2012.
He's had guest roles in some of the best crime dramas on British TV, including Waking The Dead, Silent Witness - series 28 of which recently aired, Above Suspicion and Endeavour.
Over the past 20 years of his career, Edward has also made appearances in Coronation Street and EastEnders - and played the Regan twins in BBC daytime soap Doctors for a month in 2019.
Richard Blackwood stars as Nick
Richard joins the Madame Blanc Mysteries guest cast as vain and rude host of Antique Antics, Nick.
The actor is well-known for his soap roles in both EastEnders - as Vincent Hubbard between 2015 and 2018 - and more recently Hollyoaks, which he joined in 2020 as Felix Westwood.
Richard was a familiar face on TV decades before he got into the acting game, however, making a name for himself as an MTV host in its '90s heyday. Around this time, he also dipped his toe into music and comedy.
Lorraine Burroughs portrays Elaine
Ill-fated antiques expert Elaine is found frothing at the mouth after filming on Antique Antics in Sainte Victoire wraps. Who has poisoned her - and wants her dead?
While Lorraine's name might not be as recognisable as the other guest stars' names this episode, she has enjoyed an impressive career on both the small screen and the stage over the past 20 years.
The RADA-trained actress has appeared in Last Tango In Halifax, Silent Witness, New Tricks, DCI Banks and Top Boy.
Graeme Hawley is Nigel
Nigel appears to be creepy from the outset as he hovers round the filming location of Antique Antics, and leaves a gift for Elaine. Her self-confessed super fan isn't allowed to go anywhere near her...
Graeme Hawley has forged a hugely successful career on British TV, appearing in popular and acclaimed dramas - but he'll never shake off his iconic serial killer status as John Stape in Coronation Street.
Teacher John stumbled into becoming one of the Street's most prolific killers after he was seduced by a teenage Rosie Webster while in a relationship with Fiz Brown in a truly memorable stint on the soap between 2007 and 2011.
After kidnapping Rosie to cover up their affair he was sent to prison. Upon his release, he moved back to Weatherfield to now-wife, Fiz, who'd said 'I do' in a prison wedding.
Having lost his privilege to work in education, John stole the identity of a teacher named Colin Fishwick. A trio of deaths at John's hands - albeit sort of accidental - followed as his life spiralled out of control, while he desperately tried to cover his deceit.
In the shadow of Stape, Graeme has since appeared in - to name just a few - Peaky Blinders, Vera, Ridley, The Forsyte Saga and Cold Call, alongside Madame Blanc herself, Sally Lindsay.
See, we told you - impressive!
Soap fans may recognise him from Emmerdale, where he occasionally appeared as a young policeman, Martin Crowe, between 1998 and 2005.
The Madame Blanc Mysteries regular cast:
Sally Lindsay is Jean.
Steve Edge plays Dom.
Alex Gaumond stars as Caron.
Sue Holderness portrays Judith.
Robin Askwith is Jeremy.
Sue Vincent stars as Gloria.
Tony Robinson portrays Uncle Patrick in episodes 2, 4, and 6.
Jacqueline Berces plays Gendarme Richard in episodes 2, 3, and 6.
Sanchia McCormack is Charlie in episodes 2, and 3.
Djinda Kane stars as Simone in episodes 2, and 3.
