The opportunity to learn open heart surgery is not granted to many people, even doctors.

But training in surgical techniques is one of the more unexpected benefits of working on the BBC's hospital drama Holby City.

In reality, Denis Lawson is a respected actor and director - but, on screen, he has to look as convincing as possible in close-up, as his new character, consultant Tom Campell Gore.

And so, he revealed on Breakfast this morning, he has had to learn a few basic medical techniques, such as suturing.

His operating theatre scenes are filmed with a surgeon beside him, to make them look as convicing as possible.

Denis Lawson's character, who makes his first appearance tomorrow, is being set up for confrontation with the monster who rules Holby City: the gifted but arrogant surgeon, Anton Meyer.

Denis, who's already twelve weeks into filming Holby City, revealed that we can expect sparks to fly between the two men.

His character has been brought in to the fictional hospital, to assess the competence of Mr Meyer, after the death of a young boy during open heart surgery.

click here to watch Denis Lawson's interview on Breakfast in full

Holby City is on BBC One on Tuesday evenings at 8pm