Maddy Hill has qualified to drive a heavy goods vehicle after undertaking another driving test for her new ‘Casualty’ role.
The former ‘EastEnders’ star has joined the BBC One medical serial as paramedic Ruby Sparks, who drives an ambulance, and she has enjoyed acting out some "very fun high-speed car chases" on the programme.
She said: "I had to take another test. It was hilarious because the theory test is really specific, so in the two weeks before we started filming I was having to learn what tonnage can you drag if you’ve got a certain type of trailer on the motorway!
"I spent two days on a course with truckers in Somerset, and I’m now qualified to drive an HGV. We’ve done some very fun high-speed car chases, I’ve really landed on my feet."
Maddy has also had to learn a number of medical techniques for the role, but admitted she was concerned about breaking her co-stars’ ribs when it came to filming scenes.
She said: "I had a day where I learned CPR, but when it came to the scene I was still worrying about breaking the actress’ ribs.
"There are various styles and everyone in the cast gets teased for how they perform CPR.
"I’d have an instinct now if I had to do it in real life, but I don’t know why they don’t teach it in schools.
"I love the paramedic costume, I call it my ninja turtle suit. Someone told me I look like Lara Croft in it, but I’m not so sure."
And while the 28-year-old actress – who played Nancy Carter in ‘EastEnders’ – usually isn’t great around blood, she has got used to the sugar syrup smell of the fake claret on ‘Casualty’.
Speaking to What’s On TV, she added: "I’m very squeamish normally, and there have been some nasty knee dislocations, which were pretty grim, but I’ve realised that if I know something’s fake I’m alright with it.
"The fake blood is fine because you can smell the sugar syrup in it, it’s just like having jam all over your hands."
This comes after Maddy recently admitted she would "totally" return to ‘EastEnders’ at some point.
She said: "I have always said that I’d never say no.
"I loved everyone I worked with and Danny and Kellie are still there. I would definitely have an open mind about it – definitely.
"I am still very much in touch with the Carter family and I was hanging out with Himesh [Patel, who played Tamwar] last week as he was in Cardiff. I am very much still in touch with the cast."
Maddy Hill qualifies for HGV licence as part of Casualty training
