James Norton sends Happy Valley fans wild as he shares a cheerful selfie

Marbella was still a long way off as resident Happy Valley nemesis James Norton shared a cheerful selfie with co-star Alec Secareanu on Monday afternoon. 

Fans of the hugely popular BBC show were still reeling after Norton’s psychopathic Tommy Lee Royce escaped court with a little help from Secareanu’s Darius Knezevic during Sunday’s penultimate episode. 

But while Royce plans to flee the country and start a new life in Marbella with his young son, the man responsible for bringing him to life was busy posing for snaps with his bearded ‘BFF.’ 

The pair appeared to be making the most of a break between scenes while filming the show’s third series on location in picturesque Calder Valley, West Yorkshire. 

And the posts, shared by Norton just hours after Royce’s latest evil plan was set in motion, prompted a flurry of comments from fans, with many praising his acting ability while tipping him to fill the still vacant role of James Bond.  

Responding to the social media update, one follower joked: ‘Tommy, don’t make me feel sorry for you.’ 

Say cheese: The pair appeared to be making the most of a break between scenes while filming the show’s third series on location in picturesque Calder Valley, West Yorkshire

Popular: The posts prompted a flurry of comments from fans, with many praising his acting ability while tipping him to fill the still vacant role of James Bond

While a second wrote: ‘They say they’ve done 5 endings…..I hope they show them ALL When it’s finished…. hope you’ll be the next James Bond, James.’ 

A third added: ‘I really hope he isn’t. Far too talented to be Bond!’ 

Elsewhere a fifth praised the entire production, writing: ‘Every episode is just pure brilliance. I’m box set cheating on my partner next Sunday …. I can’t wait until Monday to watch it !!! Congratulations to ALL who are in it, made it, wrote it , filmed it etc. best thing on TV!!!’

Shocking: Happy Valley viewers tuned into the breathless penultimate episode of the BBC drama on Sunday evening as Royce revealed his grand plans

Reaction: Many fans admitted they were unable to breathe as they watched the final minutes of the episode unfold, as Tommy contacted his son Ryan via XBox and shared his plans to move abroad, with Ryan horrifyingly promising he’d ‘think about it’

Sweet freedom! Once Royce had jumped the dock in court, picked up his cyclist disguise and hit the road to the moors, he was picked up by criminal colleague Darius

Viewers admitted they could barely watch the dramatic episode as everything lined up for a dramatic showdown between Royce and Sergeant Catherine Cawood – played by Sarah Lancashire – as he revealed he plans to kill her before jetting off to Spain.

They also expressed dismay after Royce contacted his son Ryan via XBox and shared his plans for them to move abroad, with the youngster promising he’d ‘think about it’.

Commenting on the episode, one viewer wrote: ‘Think about it!!! What else does he think we’ll be doing until next Sunday.’ 

A second added: ‘Christ on a bike, my heart is THUMPING,’ while a third commented: ‘How am I supposed to wait a whole week.’

Happy Valley concludes on Sunday February 5, BBC1 at 9:00pm.