Former EastEnders star dies backstage after theatre performance
Charlie Herbert
Charlie Herbert
The theatre described her as a ‘truly wonderful and well-loved person’ and a ‘revered’ performer
Former EastEnders actress Josephine Melville has tragically died backstage following a performance in a play.
Nottingham Playhouse said Melville, 61, died on Thursday after appearing in a production of Nine Night.
The venue said she was treated by paramedics and a medically qualified audience member but died at the scene.
The actress had a recurring stint in EastEnders as Tessa Parker, the girlfriend of Kelvin Carpenter, in 1986. She returned to play the character almost 20 years later in an episode in 2005.
Born in Essex, Parker’s acting credits also included rolls in The Bill and Casualty along with several theatre roles.
In a statement, Nottingham Playhouse announced the tragic news, saying everyone involved in the play was “in a state of shock.”
All remaining performances of Nine Night at the venue have been cancelled.
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