colleague

The hit BBC period drama shared an emotional tribute to a beloved friend and colleague on Sunday

Call the Midwife paid a heartfelt tribute at the end of Sunday night’s (January 11) episode.

The popular period drama has made its return to BBC One for its 15th series, which follows the sisters and nurses at Nonnatus House as they navigate the NHS and Women’s Liberation Movement in 1971.

After a gripping season opener, the cherished show paused to honour a former friend and colleague who had tragically died. As the credits rolled, a poignant message flashed on screen, stating: “In memory of Nico Clarkson, a much loved friend and colleague.”

A memorial tribute was subsequently shared on social media, stating: “It is with deep sorrow and heavy hearts that family, friends and fans announce the sudden passing of Nico Clarkson. Known for his talent, kindness and engaging personality, Nico’s unexpected death has left a profound void in the lives of all who knew him,” reports the Express.

The latest series of Call the Midwife is expected to explore numerous issues and themes, including the Women’s Liberation Movement, premature birth, placenta previa, kidney cancer, tuberculosis and slavery.

The first episode saw the Nonnatus team become progressively worried about the wellbeing of four young children. Meanwhile, Sister Catherine (Molly Vevers) confronted her first solo delivery, and the midwives participated in a Women’s Liberation meeting.

Fan favourites including Sister Monica Joan (Judy Parfitt), Sister Julienne (Jenny Agutter), Shelagh Turner (Laura Main), Trixie Aylward (Helen George), Fred Buckle (Cliff Parisi), Dr Turner (Stephen McGann), Nurse Crane (Linda Bassett), Violet Buckle (Annabelle Apsion), and Miss Higgins (Georgie Glen) have all returned to screens.

The cast also features Cyril Robinson (Zephryn Taitte), Sister Veronica (Rebecca Gethings), Reggie Jackson (Daniel Laurie), Joyce Highland (Renee Bailey), Rosalind Clifford (Natalie Quarry), Timothy Turner (Max Macmillan), Angela Turner (Alice Brown), May Tang (April Rae Hoang), and Teddy Turner (Edward Shaw).

Prior to her return, Jenny Agutter, who has portrayed Sister Julienne since the show launched in 2012, candidly discussed the changing landscape of Nonnatus House and its place in Poplar.

“It all looks as if they’ll have to fall in line with the NHS and what the council want of them. One of their requests is that they not wear habits but uniforms. Well, that’s fine in itself but it’s actually a bigger question which is that Sister Julienne sees the nuns as being missionaries in the East End, serving a community,” the actress previously revealed.

“And she, as a nun, is very much aware of the fact that the first service they have is to God, a higher order than the council. The habit is very much to do with showing that they are a part of serving the community. So, it’s not just a matter of identification, it’s a matter of knowing what one’s role is and what they’re meant to be doing and feeling that one’s no longer wanted.”

She concluded: “So, it’s a conundrum because if Nonnatus House goes, then a lot of the services that are a part of it go too. But I think that she also sees that this is something coming anyway.”

Call the Midwife is available to stream on BBC iPlayer

A GROUP of office workers were left shocked when they learned their colleague is a former child star, and had a role in an iconic festive film.

The actor now keeps a low profile working as a Logistics Manager for the upcoming 2026 Commonwealth Games, which will take place in Glasgow. But do you recognise him?

Joe Lane appeared in 2009 hit Nativity!, which featured Martin Freeman, Jason Watkins and Ashley Jensen.

He portrayed schoolboy Edward in the film, which is centred around a heartbroken primary school teacher’s journey to make his class’s nativity play reach Hollywood, and win his ex-girlfriend back in the process.

In a TikTok shared by Joe’s colleagues, the former actor was left red-faced when they figured out his famous past.

The clip showed Joe, dressed in a Christmas jumper and a festive headband, as he is shaken by his colleagues.

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It then cuts to clips of him in the movie, before his colleagues recreate a hilarious moment by his character Edward.

Joe’s starring moment in the film saw him take to the microphone during the final Nativity performance and impersonate fart sounds with his armpit.

The former child star had his head in his hands when his co-workers cornered him at his desk and re-enacted the funny moment in the TikTok video.

“When you find out your colleague was in the nativity films,” read the video, with the caption adding: “The most exciting office development this week”.

The film was cast by producers holding open calls for local kids in Coventry, with the aim to use non-professional actors for an authentic feel.

After appearing in the first movie, Joe appears to have steered away from continuing an acting career.

He went on to become a semi-professional rugby player, before moving into logistics for sporting events.

Coventry-born Joe is now living in Glasgow after spending time in Australia and London.

It appears he has been keen to keep his famous past under wraps in the workplace.

One TikTok user commented on the video to reveal that they had previously worked with Joe, and had no clue of the connection.

“I worked with Joe at Coventry Rfc and unless I was out of the loop he kept this very well hidden!” they said.

Another commenter joked “So he didn’t become shrek??”, referencing the scene in Nativity! where character Mr. Poppy told Edward, “You could be Shrek”.

A number of the children who appeared in Nativity! returned to their normal lives following the movie, and despite its massive success, have gone into regular jobs.

Cadi Mullane, who played Crystal – one of the main children in the film – previously detailed what filming was like in a TikTok video.

She said: “I was part of an agency called Stagecoach, they were looking for kids who were really chatty, who could dance a little bit and sing a little bit. Apparently that was me.

“There was about seven auditions. But I’m from Wales so I had to keep travelling up to London which was a bit annoying, but it was OK because I really wanted to be in a film.

“They looked at how well we could sing and how well we got on with the other kids, cause that was important, obviously.”

Cadi went on to recall how the movie filmed throughout the summer, with no scripts for the children.

She said: “It was filmed in Coventry but obviously I’m not from Coventry so we all stayed in a hotel together. It was like The Suite Life Of Zach and Cody, honestly.

“There was no scripts. Everything was improvised, except from some bits. We basically just spoke loads of rubbish, and then we were asked to say it again on camera.”