CALL The Midwife gained some extra fans whilst filming their Christmas special in Hong Kong.
To combat the extreme heat, the cast of the had to arm themselves with dozens of hand-held devices to keep them cool, reveals creator Heidi Thomas.
The Call the Midwife cast filmed their Christmas special in Hong Kong in extreme weather conditionsCredit: Alamy
“The cast were absolutely formidable and brave,” she says.
“They said when they got home they all missed their fans. Dr. Turner (played by ) was there in a three-piece suit. People would run up and help with little battery-operated fans, maybe half a dozen at a time. So we carried a little sort of human-operated portable air conditioning around with us at all times.”
Senior members of Nonnatus House team travel to on a mercy mission for the special ep, while the younger midwives remain in Poplar.
Heidi said the travelling stars struggled with the humidity.
“The nuns had beautiful tropical habits made of a cream linen,” she went on.
“But there’s layers and layers to a nun, so they suffered the most.”
The clammy climate hasn’t put them off jetting to more far flung places in future, though.
“We’re planning a film at the moment which will definitely be set overseas and likely somewhere hot,” shared Heidi.
“So at every turn we were studying what it was like to be working in a hot climate miles away from home. It’s quite a learning curve, but I think we did come out of it very well and I’m really excited for the audience to see it.”
Teasing what we can expect from series 15 next year, Heidi said it looks at the rise of feminism and includes a bra burning scene.
“We’ve got some wonderful stories to do with medical development and the development of childbirth. We see our first epidural on the screen.”
Ab-by to see you Lewis
Lewis Cope has won the hearts of Strictly voters with his fit torsoCredit: Unknown
star shows off the gym-honed torso that has won the hearts of voters.
The actor, who plays Nicky Milligan on the ITV1 and is partnered with on , was posing for Lewis magazine – yes, really – in this edgy shoot.
He said: “It’s not every day you’re on the cover of a magazine which shares the same name as you. The actor in me loves the opportunity to take on a different role, which I feel like we did with this cover.
“I had a last-minute panic when I found out I needed to be topless so I headed to the gym at the crack of dawn for a workout.
“I’ve been training a lot but I’m looking forward to my Christmas dinner!”
Traitors start in bad faith
The Celeb Traitors almost never happened it has emerged – pictured host Claudia WinklemanCredit: PA
has been the biggest telly success of the year but its winning formula almost never happened.
Execs were planning not to remain Faithful to who hosts the hit non-celeb sister show, and instead offered the presenting gig to Scottish actor , who fronts the US version.
Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips said: “Full disclosure, we did ask Alan if he would do it, but he couldn’t do our dates.
”Even Claudia needed talking round to the idea.”
And winner had initially turned down the chance to appear on the show.
Bosses then used their first signing, , to convince everyone to join.
Originally the nine-parter was set to be shot in South America, but then Ardross Castle, near Inverness, was picked instead.
Kate told The Rest Is Entertainment podcast: “They were looking at filming it in Costa Rica as a location – that is true.
“At the BBC, we like to spend money across the UK and do portrayal across the UK.”
It’s Riot act two on BBC
Hit BBC drama Riot Women is returning for a second seriesCredit: PA
THE BBC has confirmed my exclusive story that hit drama is returning for a second series.
I revealed earlier this month that they were making a sequel of the show, which chronicles a group of mature ladies who decide to set up a rock band.
The BBC One hit’s creator Sally Wainwright, who also gave us gritty Beeb drama , was overjoyed with the news.
She said yesterday: “Oh, this is where the fun really starts! We’ve all been so deeply moved by the huge, overwhelming, joyous, emotional response to series one.
“And now we’re able to take the Riot Women extravaganza to the next level.
“We hope you’ll all join us on the series two rollercoaster.”
Scot TV fest on move
US comedian Tina Fey will be among the guest speakers at this year’s Edinburgh TV FestivalCredit: Alamy
THE could be moving from its home in the Scottish capital.
According to Deadline, it’s been there for 50 years but organisers are considering relocating in 2027.
Potential host cities are now being invited to throw their hats in the ring in a bid to host the festival.
The event sees the heads of channels, streamers and production companies congregate for various events, with the 2025 guest speakers including US comedian Tina Fey.
may still bid for it, but definitely won’t as the capital has been ruled out of being the new host city.
I, for one, want the event to stay north of the border.
