The Birmingham Evening Mail's newsroom was set for TV stars and rolling cameras today, after being transformed into a film set for a new BBC drama.

Claire Goose (below), of Casualty and Waking The Dead fame, was due at the paper's Weaman Street offices to film the new light-hearted drama The Good Citizen.

The programme follows Claire as a tabloid journalist pursuing Hugh Quarshie, who starred in Star Wars Episode I and Holby City, for the inside story.

The programme's makers wanted to use a genuine newsroom to capture the action of staff rushing to meet deadlines.

Evening Mail reporter Justine Hollins said: "They're going to be in at 8am and will film for three or four hours.

"Our first deadline is at 8.30am, then 10.15am and 11.15am so we will be right in the thick of it.

"It's all set up and ready to go and it's created a bit of a talking point in the office!"

The programme's executive producer Serena Cullen said: "The British media are an important part of this film and therefore we wanted the authenticity of a real newsroom.

"The Birmingham Evening Mail was our first choice."

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