Former Eastender actress Josephine Melville has sadly died after appearing in a play in Nottingham.
Nottingham Playhouse, where Josephine was performing in a production of Nine Night, said theatre staff had been left in shock. Josephine, known best for playing Tessa Parker had also appeared in The Bill and Casualty, and was described by the theatre as a "revered and deeply respected performer."
The statement from Nottingham Playhouse read: "We are deeply saddened to announce that last night the actor Josephine Melville, passed away backstage at Nottingham Playhouse following the performance of the play Nine Night, in which she was performing.
"Josephine received immediate assistance from Nottingham Playhouse first aiders and a medically qualified member of the Nine Night audience. The subsequent very swift arrival of paramedics meant she was quickly and expertly treated but sadly she passed away at the scene."
"Nine Night is a co-production between Leeds Playhouse and Nottingham Playhouse. The entire company, and staff at both theatres are in a state of shock. Josephine was a truly wonderful and well-loved person, a revered and deeply respected performer, director, producer, archivist and writer, and a tremendous Auntie Maggie in Nine Night.
"We are offering our full support to her family, our onstage and production crew and all staff at this awful time."
Chief Executive of Nottingham Playhouse, Stephanie Sirr said: “We send our love and condolences to Jo’s family and friends. On a deeply tragic and extremely difficult evening we want to pay tribute to the company of Nine Night and to the whole Nottingham Playhouse team who managed the situation with empathy and professionalism.”
Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Leeds Playhouse, James Brining says the theatre was "truly honoured to work with her" and are "doing everything" they can to support her family and theatre staff, the Mirror reports.
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