Mum's 'brilliant' experience on Silent Witness

A mum who landed herself a spot as an extra on the long-running TV crime drama Silent Witness has described the experience as one that made her feel like a star.

Tonia Dunn's real-world experience as a croupier helped her get the gig after a friend said a production company was looking for someone familiar with casino work.

"I didn't know it was Silent Witness actually, it just said a TV show in the Midlands, and I actually went to Chateau Impney, in Droitwich {Worcestershire]," said the mum of five from Sutton Coldfield.

"It was a brilliant experience and not like anything I'd ever done," she added.

The interior of Chateau Impney was transformed to look like a casino for her scenes, she explained.

"[When I was there] I just thought 'I'll just treat it as though I'm in the casino' and that's what I did to try and combat the nerves about it," she said.

Despite being featured in two scenes, Dunn said she had little knowledge about the plot.

"I didn't get to know any of the storylines at all, so it will be a surprise for me as well but I can't wait to see it, it was really professional."

Season 29 of the drama begins on Monday at 21:00 GMT on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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