Tiny Stone baby Josie Hall was almost Emmerdale TV star
CUTE Josie Hall has missed out on her live television debut – at just 13 days old.
Josie, of Stone, was covered in fake blood and make-up for the filming of a pre-recorded scene ahead of this week's special Emmerdale 40th anniversary show.
The scene was filmed in advance in case problems emerged during Wednesday night's live show and the pre-recorded version needed to be used.
But Josie missed out when producers selected an alternative baby for the live scene which was screened without a hitch.
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Despite the knockback, Josie, pictured, may be ready to continue her brief acting career.
Mum Jessica Hall gave birth to 8lb 6oz Josie at Stafford Hospital on October 4.
She was contacted by Stafford-based agency Seven Casting on Monday because staff knew she had just given birth.
Jessica, aged 34, of Marlborough Avenue, said: "I was quite surprised to receive the call from my friend at the agency but we just thought why not?
"I only gave birth less than a fortnight ago so it has been a very tiring couple of days, but we were very well looked after and it was a really exciting experience."
Jessica and husband, Ian Hall, aged 40, took Josie to the Emmerdale set in Leeds on Tuesday where she was used for a scene in which regular character, Gennie, went into labour at a bed and breakfast.
Jessica, a senior care assistant at Hilderstone Hall Care Home, in Stone, said: "They covered her in fake blood and make-up beforehand to make her look as if she had just been born.
"It was quite strange watching someone else pretend to give birth to my daughter."
Sales manager Ian says the couple's other children, son George, aged six, and Eva, aged eight, were very proud of their little sister.
He said: "Eva has been telling all her school friends about the show.
"The last couple of days have been a complete whirlwind but it's been a fantastic experience."
Emmerdale's live 40th birthday special was watched by more than nine million viewers.
During the live episode, Ian, Jessica and Josie were in the 'green room' meeting cast members.
Ian added: "It was so surreal to see people you regularly watch on TV coming up to talk to you and coo over your baby.
"Josie was very good and calm."
Neither Ian nor Jessica are members of a casting agency, but the couple said they wouldn't rule out doing something similar in the future.
Ian said: "It was a bit of fun. If something like this came up again we would definitely consider it."
Seven Casting had spent weeks trying to track down a newly-born baby for the Emmerdale producers.
And they could not believe their luck when they found Josie on their doorstep.
Casting agent Guy Howe said: "It was quite miraculous that we managed to track Josie down. We have used children for productions like the King's Speech and Sherlock, but never a baby this tiny."
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