JED Mercurio is used to killing off big characters in his hit BBC dramas – but it appears he’s just as good at reviving them too.
Line Of Duty actress Maya Sondhi, who played Maneet, has revealed that the dramatist — a former hospital doctor — saved a crew member’s life while filming his medical series Cardiac Arrest in the Nineties.
She said: “He was on set one day and they were going to do a scene where they put a defibrillator on a young lad. Something happened where it got swapped out for a real one, or something went wrong with it.
“The first assistant director was mucking about with it and he stopped his own heart. Everyone panicked, but Jed gave him compressions and brought him back to life.”
Jed worked as a doctor from 1988 until 1992 before writing Cardiac Arrest under the pseudonym John MacUre.
He later retired from medicine to write dramas including Bodyguard and Line Of Duty under his own name.
Bodyguard actress Keeley Hawes recently told how fans are still convinced her character, Home Secretary Julia Montague, is alive, despite a death scene midway through the series.
And Maya, whose Line Of Duty character also appeared to die, warned fans to expect the unexpected, telling BBC Sounds podcast Obsessed With: “There are so many more twists.”
It wouldn’t be a Mercurio drama without a few Jed herrings . . .
SUSANNA Reid could probably do with some therapy for having to put up with Piers Morgan – but for now she has got Ben Shephard to keep her calm.
Ben has revealed his Good Morning Britain co-host calls their shift together “Therapeutic Thursday” because of her stressful time with Piers.
In an exclusive interview to mark the 1,000th episode of ITV’s Tipping Point, which Ben hosts, he said: “I get the end of the week when everyone is looking forward to the weekend, and they get the start of the week and the challenge of working with Piers. It’s a bit more relaxed when we start the show.
“Usually Piers is raring to go when they start. It’s like trying to hold back a raging bull. I’m a bit more laid-back than that.”
After Richard Madeley’s guest presenting stint this week, Susanna should count herself lucky to have Piers.
LOVE Island’s Olivia Atwood is joining Towie to support pal Chloe Sims in the wake of her new romance with ladies’ man Dan Edgar. Olivia, who has already filmed for the show, is also pals with Clelia Theodorou and Shelby Tribble.
EMMA Bunton was keeping everything crossed as she waded into the minefield that is Mel B’s claims of a lesbian fling with Geri Horner.
Baby Spice was asked about her bandmates’ saucy goings-on when she appeared on The Jonathan Ross Show, which will air on ITV tomorrow.
She said of the Spice Girls’ much-anticipated reunion tour: “Of course it’s happening – we are starting rehearsals on Monday. It’s all fine. We have all chatted about it.”
On first hearing about their fling, she said: “I was like, ‘What about me?’ I felt a bit left out.”
CARLA’S paranoia spirals out of control in Coronation Street as she heads out of No1 dazed and barefoot.
Peter finds the factory boss staring intently at the remains of Underworld and takes her to the clinic, where Toyah recommends a mental health specialist.
It’s all too much for Carla, who flees through a window, so Peter calls the police.
In EastEnders, Sharon gets advice from Phil and Linda on how to deal with Dennis.
Realising she may have been too soft, she tries to take a firmer approach.
Lola ignores Ben’s warnings to stay away from Jay – and later sneaks off to the club to share a kiss with him.
WES Nelson has split from girlfriend Lissy Roddy after furious rows about his behaviour.
The Dancing On Ice star started dating the blogger following his break-up with Megan Barton Hanson in January.
But their short-lived romance is now dead in the water after pals hinted Wes played away during a lads’ break in America with mates Sam Bird and Adam Collard earlier this month.
A source said: “Wes wasn’t exactly loyal towards Lissy when he was on his lads’ holiday in Los Angeles with Adam and Sam. He’s definitely carried on enjoying himself despite having Lissy in his life – which inevitably means she will get hurt.
“They had a big row in a club in LA and that was the last straw for them.
“He’s 21 and wants to be single at the moment.”
CHARLIE Sheen has hinted at a Two And A Half Men revival. Speaking on Loose Women, he said: “As long as everybody involved is alive and kicking, there is a possibility . . . there is a trend towards reboots these days.”
WHAT? The Graham Norton Show, BBC1, 10.35pm.
WHY? An A-list line-up includes Paul Rudd and Chris Hemsworth, with Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington and Julianne Moore.
