Dead FAMOUS!

RICHARD BLACKWOOD on playing a TV host caught up in a murder mystery

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The Sainte Victoire locals are giddy with excitement this week in 5's The Madame Blanc Mysteries when hit TV show Antique Antics on Tour rolls into the fictional French town.

Super-sleuth Jean White (played by series co-creator Sally Lindsay) is an old friend of the producer, Paul (Holby City's Edward Macliam), and ropes in her friends to help when his crew end up stranded back in the UK. But then presenter Nick (Richard Blackwood) ruffles feathers with his diva-ish behaviour and expert pundit Elaine (Pennyworth's Lorraine Burroughs) is fatally poisoned in the middle of filming!

Here, in an exclusive interview, former EastEnders and Hollyoaks star Richard, 52, tells TV Times why this role was a priceless opportunity...

What's your take on Nick?

He's an antiques specialist as well as a presenter. He's very ambitious and shrewd - one of those people who is a go-getter at any expense. Not to knock anything else I've done, but this is one of the best characters I've played.