Josephine Melville: EastEnders actor dies backstage at Nottingham Playhouse after performance

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Josephine Melville, the actor best known for her work on EastEnders, has died backstage at a theatre following a performance.

The actor had been appearing as Maggie in a production of Natasha Gordon’s play Nine Night at Nottingham Playhouse.

Melville died after Thursday (20 October) night’s performance, the theatre announced on Friday (21 October).

In a statement, the venue said that she received immediate assistance from house first-aiders and a medically qualified member of the audience before paramedics arrived.

However, she died at the scene. No cause of death was given.

Nottingham Playhouse said: “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’s family have been informed, and our thoughts and deep condolences are with them.”

The remainder of the run of Nine Night, a co-production between Nottingham Playhouse and Leeds Playhouse, has been cancelled.

Born in Essex, Melville appeared in a number of theatre productions throughout her career.

She played Kelvin Carpenter’s girlfriend Tessa Parker in EastEnders in 1986. Just earlier this year, Melville made an appearance in the music video for Ella Henderson’s single “Brave”.

On social media, she described herself as an “actress, writer, director, producer and archivist”. Melville also founded the South Essex African Caribbean Association (Seaca).

News of her death prompted outpourings of grief, with actor Julie Hesmondhalgh tweeting: “So much love and deepest condolences.”

Shobna Gulati commented: “This is devastating. Such a force and a talent. Heartbreaking news.”

Speaking about Melville, Nottingham Playhouse chief executive 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.”