Sofia Vergara is stunning as she celebrates her 50th birthday with cake and flowers

Fleur Perkins could “never be replaced” in an exclusive interview with Express.co.uk.The Midsomer Murders star gave a behind-the-scenes insight into why she believes Fleur is here to stay.Annette joined Midsomer Murders back in 2019 as motorbike-riding chief pathologist Fleur Perkins.While Annette only became a part of the show in its 20th season, the ITV hit has now been running for 25 years. Opening up about how her character Fleur was conceptualised, Annette gave an interesting reason for why she thinks she “won’t be replaced”.“It’s brilliant to play an older woman who’s got a very interesting private life and who is very good at her job and can send the blokes up and intrigue them and things,” Annette reflected. “It’s terrific, you know, and there should be more - and they exist in real life - characters like that, really.”Fleur went on to describe how the producers arrived at the character of Fleur after coming to a surprising conclusion.“When the producer asked me to do it, they said that one time the person playing the pathologist had been ill and they didn’t know how to get around it when they were filming,” Annette remembered. “Then they said, ‘Oh, I know, we’ll have them send a fax through with the details and Barnaby can read it out’.“And he said, ‘I wanted a new character who could not be replaced by a fax machine.’ “So Fleur certainly can’t be replaced by a fax machine!” Annette concluded gleefully. Annette often acts opposite the likes of DCI John Barnaby star Neil Dudgeon and admitted she had a lot of fun in the role. Asked why Midsomer Murders has lasted a full 25 years on ITV, Annette gave a considered response. “I think it’s quite quirky and English because the deaths are often extraordinary and the

Pictures show the extent of the damage after a car ploughed into a home, leaving the front wall and windows 'collapsing', according to eyewitnesses. The crash caused 'significant structural damage', emergency services confirmed after they rushed to the scene in Hazel Grove, Stockport, last night (August 12).

Sir Salman Rushdie has forfeited his home, freedom, marriage and peace of mind due to his controversial writings. The 75-year-old Indian-born British author, whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was stabbed on stage in New York state on Friday, with his current condition in hospital unclear.

As a heatwave grips the nation, there’s no sign of temperatures easing over the weekend in Greater Manchester with Saturday evening expected to be a sizzling 32C. Throughout the week, conditions have become hotter and drier with no respite from the wall to wall sunshine.

Love Island star Danica Taylor looked loved-up with her man Jamie Allen as she hit the town in Manchester. The couple stuck up a romance towards the end of the series after Danica went through a rocky time on the ITV2 dating show.

Now comes my favorite part of the film awards season, the very beginning, when everyone is a contender.

Amy Grant suffered a concussion and was unconscious for ten minutes after falling during a July bike ride, according to reports.

Harry Potter creator JK Rowling has received a public threat from an Iran-backing extremist, following her denunciation of yesterday’s attack on fellow British author Salman Rushdie.

Bollywood legend Aamir Khan is set to debut his version of the hit film Forrest Gump, with some differences specially designed for Indian audiences.

Coleman Laffoon is speaking out after the tragic death of his ex-wife Anne Heche.

Sofia Vergara is the ultimate sun queen and on Sunday she was caught soaking up the rays in a fabulous summer dress as she set out on a dog walk with husband Joe Manganiello.MORE: Sofia Vergara poses in string vest as she soaks up the sunshineThe America's Got Talent star shared the stunning update on her Instagram Stories and showed her walking her little chihuahua Bubbles as she stepped out in an ethereal black and white strappy summer gown.WATCH: Sofia Vergara reveals her dog Bubbles hates herThe mother-of-one also shared a sweet car-selfie cuddling up to the pooch as ahead of the sunny galavant and showed off the sensational statement necklace she added to accessorise the chic gown.READ: Sofia Vergara spotlights AGT return in bedazzled ensembleSEE: Sofia Vergara stuns with risqué suspenders photo – with a twist!Sofia also shared a clip of husband Joe looking as chic as ever, wearing a pair of light blue chinos and white open-collared shirt for the occasion. The star loves a summer updateThe husband-and-wife duo have been married for five years and live in an impressive $19.6 million dollar LA mansion.The incredible property boasts seven bedrooms, 11 bathrooms and sits on over half an acre of land of 12000 square feet.It is nearly invisible from public view, hidden behind walls, gates, and a large hedge.

Sofia Vergara looked as fabulous as ever as she posed outside for a sun-soaked selfie wearing a barely-there string vest and small white shorts.READ: Sofia Vergara wows in stunning bikini photoIn the photo, the America's Got Talent judge opted for a hilarious Instagram filter which made her eyes and nose look exceptionally larger, as she posed in the summer look, complete with a straw hat soaking up the summer sunshine.WATCH: Sofia Vergara stuns in figure-hugging sequinned dressCaptioning the post on her Instagram Stories, the mother-of-one penned: "Me gusta el verano," with a palm tree emoji, which translates to "I like summer."SEE: Sofia Vergara stuns with risqué suspenders photo – with a twist!MORE: Sofia Vergara places $19.6 million LA home on the market - see insideThe brunette beauty's luscious tresses looked as perfect as ever as she wore them down in natural waves. Sofia is no stranger to a summer updateThe star is no stranger to a candid update and on Friday shared another fabulous selfie with fans donning an incredible beach dress.Taking to her Instagram Stories again, the mother-of-one posed in front of her ultra-glamorous full-length mirror in her stunning LA kitchen wearing a full-length ethereal Spell beach dress which had long, elegant sleeves and a subtle v-neck.The Modern Family star accessorized the stunning gown with a vibrant yellow Bottega bag and chic embellished Louis Vuitton slider sandals.

Sofia Vergara is no stranger to a daring photo, and on Thursday it was no different when the star took to social media with another flirty throwback.MORE: Sofia Vergara wows in stunning bikini photoThe America's Got Talent judge was a vision in the stylish black-and-white photo as she elegantly laid on a large bed whilst carefully draped with silk bedsheet. Her brunette tresses looked effortlessly glamorous as they were shaped around the mother-of-one's face.WATCH: Sofia Vergara stuns in figure-hugging sequinned dressCaptioning the post on her Instagram Stories, the 50-year-old simply wrote: "#tbt".READ: Sofia Vergara stuns with risqué suspenders photo – with a twist!SEE: Sofia Vergara places $19.6 million LA home on the market - see insideSofia loves sharing gorgeous throwback photos with her 26.2 million followers and also posted two beautiful photos of her 14-year-old self posing for a candid photo in a green and pink bodysuit - and she looked incredible.

An a cappella group from South Korea took over the “America’s Got Talent” stage Tuesday night with a “super creative” act that the judges didn’t see coming.

I smell truffles! Social media and reality star Foodgod (formerly known as Jonathan Cheban) shared his favorite summer recipe from 75 Main – a traditional and well-known restaurant in Southampton, New York.

Sofia Vergara is no stranger to sharing daring snapshots with her fans on social media.MORE: Sofia Vergara places $19.6 million LA home on the market - see insideThe gorgeous actress often shares revealing photos – whether she is modelling bikinis or posing in a low-cut gown. WATCH: Sofia Vergara and her lookalike sister and niece pull off the ultimate dance routineIndeed, her latest upload on her Stories is a daring suspenders snapshot – but it’s not what you might think.READ: Sofia Vergara's rarely seen son sparks reaction with latest appearanceMORE: Sofia Vergara is a goddess in the most perfect summer dressSofia instead chose to share a throwback photo of screen siren Sophia Loren.

Sofia Vergara and Joe Manganiello are getting rid of their former home.

Sofia Vergara knows exactly how to set temperatures soaring and she proved it on Thursday with a sensational throwback.The America's Got Talent judge celebrated summer with a snapshot of herself rocking a risque crocheted dress.MORE: Sofia Vergara’s latest flirty ensemble has fans all saying the same thingSofia looked stunning in the image posted on Instagram as she protected her modesty with a carefully placed hand.WATCH: Sofia Vergara shares video of herself as a teenagerShe simply captioned it: "Tbt #losangeles," and fans went wild for the modeling snap. The actress recently celebrated her 50th birthday and wowed fans with a celebratory look they won't easily forget. READ: Sofia Vergara takes to the stage as she participates in risky AGT auditionSEE: Sofia Vergara's throwback mishap in cut-out swimsuit by the pool will leave you in stitchesSofia looked stunning in a mid-length lemon dress as she partied the night away with her lookalike niece Claudia Vergara and son Manolo, as well as other close friends and family. Sofia posted the racy throwback modeling photo She shared several other photos from the evening and captioned them: "Birthday dinner," alongside balloon, cake and heart emojis.

Sofia Vergara is a style icon and it was no different on Thursday when the America's Got Talent judge stepped out in the most stunning summer dress.MORE: Sofia Vergara’s latest flirty ensemble has fans all saying the same thingThe 50-year old took to Instagram Stories from inside the kitchen of her stunning LA mansion with a fabulous selfie in a glamorous long-sleeved, mustard and white floral-patterned dress. WATCH: Sofia Vergara dances up a storm at son Manolo's 30th birthday partyThe star captioned the image with a GIF which read: "Is it Friday yet?!" and tagged fashion house @dolcegabbana."READ: Sofia Vergara takes to the stage as she participates in risky AGT auditionSEE: Sofia Vergara's throwback mishap in cut-out swimsuit by the pool will leave you in stitchesThe Modern Family actress paired the gorgeous gown with a chic white woven bag which she donned across her body. Her summer ensemble was also accessorised with a simple silver chain with the word 'Mum' written on.

Joe Manganiello recalls the time he learned Sofia Vergara was single. The actor appeared on SiriusXM’s The Jess Cagle Show to promote his new series Moonhaven. During their conversation, Manganiello opened up about the time he showed Vergara his People magazine placement as “Number One Bachelor in the World.”Manganiello also revealed that Jess Cagle gave him a heads up that Vergara was single.

Sofia Vergara, this is the season for living, and with her latest throwback moment, you'll be in stitches just like she was.MORE: AGT judges left split over latest haunting auditionThe actress took to social media over the Fourth of July weekend to share a memory from a previous celebration by the pool, and it didn't quite end the way she'd hoped.VIDEO: Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum show off AGT finale outfitsShe hopped into her pool in a figure-flattering white swimsuit with cut-outs down the side, trying to mount an unconventional pool float.Instead of a normal tube, Sofia attempted to climb atop a big one shaped like a mechanical bull, but it ended with her shouting and falling into the water instead.MORE: Sofia Vergara delivers Golden Buzzer to incredible AGT act you need to seeShe spent the remainder of the clip trying to find her sea legs and get back on it, to no avail, eventually just giving up and staring at the camera in defeat.Many of her followers were quickly left in hysterics, as were her fellow America's Got Talent stars, including Terry Crews, who left a slew of laughing emojis.A post shared by Sofia Vergara (@sofiavergara)Sofia suffered with her extravagant pool floatHowie Mandel commented: "You ride the bull like you walk to the desk," and Heidi Klum simply wrote: "I miss you my friend."One of her fans said: "I would have fallen off as well," with another adding: "I heard Gloria all the way," and a third continuing with that sentiment by quipping: "Who misses that kinda scream on #ModernFamily? JAAYYYYYY."MORE: Sofia Vergara poses in pink bikini as husband pays an unusual tribute!MORE: Sofia Vergara surprises fans with extreme eyebrow transformation as she preps for Netflix roleIt's their weekly bit of