Silent Witness fans seriously distracted as they realise where they recognise ‘gorgeous silver fox’ from

SILENT Witness fans were left seriously distracted after they spotted a rather familiar face among the cast.

Fans were thrilled to see the return of Amanda Burton during Monday night's episode as she made her comeback as Sam Ryder -  18 years after quitting the show.

However, just minutes into the episode, BBC viewers were left distracted after they spotted Vera star David Leon on the show.

David is best known for playing DI Joe Ashworth alongside Brenda Blethyn.

His character Joe left the ITV cop drama to spend more time with his wife and daughters.

But he was quickly replaced by Kenny Doughty, who has played Vera's sidekick Aiden Healy ever since.

The actor, who stars as Oscar Harris in Silent Witness, has kept a low profile since he left Vera in 2014.

In the crime-drama, Oscar has been taken on to help Sam Ryder with her latest case.

Viewers were delighted to see David back on their screens, with many taking to Twitter to compliment the actor on his "gorgeous" new look.

Alongside an array of red love hearts, one person penned: "It's Joe from Vera. He looks gorgeous!"

Echoing their comments, someone else said: "Very much here for David Leon back on-screen."

While a third added: "David Leon, finally! Back on UK screens and he looks like a silver fox."

David wasn't the only familiar face that viewers spotted among the cast.

Coronation Street star Ian Puleston-Davies has also joined the cast as Detective Superintendent Ronnie Boyle.

Silent Witness returns on Tuesday at 9pm on BBC One.