Pandemic hero Sir Jonathan Van-Tam delivered a huge surprise to Call The Midwife stars – by paying them a visit on set.
The former Deputy Chief Medical Officer, known as JVT, is a fan of the BBC drama and pals with star Judy Parfitt, 87, who plays Sister Monica Joan.
So when she invited him to meet the cast, he jumped at the chance. And they were just as starstruck to meet the professor who became a celebrity in his own right, thanks to his Covid briefings.
Helen George, 38, who plays Trixie Franklin, said: “Honestly, I was fan-girling over him like he was Justin Bieber!”
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Georgie Glen, 66, who stars as receptionist Miss Higgins, added: “He was lovely, he just sat in the corner worried about making a noise, eating his lunch out of a cardboard box with his wife.”
And Megan Cusack, 26, who plays Nancy Corrigan, reckoned: “He’s coming back because he wants to be a supporting artist!”
JVT, now Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Nottingham, said: “I have been a big fan of Call the Midwife since its very early showings. I’ve delivered 17 babies under the supervision of midwives and it’s always a very emotional moment.
“Having been born in 1964, I find the programme is not just another medical drama but a really impactful social commentary on healthcare issues of the day.”
Describing his visit to the set, he said: “It was a packed day. I was a bit starstruck to meet all the characters but especially Trixie, Dr Turner [Stephen McGann], Nancy and Miss Higgins... I can’t thank them all enough.”
Call The Midwife returns with a festive special on Christmas Day.
