As a runner on a film or TV production, “you are, and there is no point kidding yourself, the lowest of the low”, says Tom. “Nobody knows your name, nor do they care to ask. You will be asked to get coffees, lug around kit, even clean toilets – and if anyone higher up senses a whiff of disdain, you’re on your bike.”

Tom is 25 and has been working as a runner – the term given to entry-level positions on TV and film productions – for the past six months. It can be a creative and fun job: “One moment, you’re scrambling to fix a broken JCB that’s in the middle of shot; the next, you’re racing to track down someone cutting a tree in their garden, desperately pleading with them to stop so you can continue shooting the intimate scene.”

On the other hand, he says, you might spend all day standing in one spot telling members of the public they can’t walk into shot, and being abused for it: “It is important not to think about how you wasted 90 grand on an education to do a job a signpost could do.”

Working in film and TV may sound glamorous, but the life of a runner can be anything but, as underlined by the actor Richard E Grant in a recent interview. Asked who were the least-appreciated people on a film set, he replied without hesitation: the runners.

“[They] are paid the least amount of money, they are the youngest, they get there at five in the morning, they are the last to leave – and if anything goes wrong they get shat on from a dizzy height,” said Grant, citing the experience of his own daughter Olivia.

It’s an all too common tale, judging by the dozens of Guardian readers who have shared their own stories of working as runners. While some say the job is demanding but rewarding, others have dispiriting tales of long hours, poor or no pay, bullying or sexual harassment.

“It was not uncommon to find the drama runner crying in the stationery cupboard,” says Sean, of his time working on a hugely successful recent drama series. “The managers of that department would publicly berate runners in front of everyone if they ever made a mistake or couldn’t keep up. Many producers and managers see it as a rite of passage: go through the fire and you can make it in TV/film.”

“For the most part, people were nice to me and the demands weren’t too ridiculous,” says James Moriarty, who has since worked as a TV editor on The Traitors and Dancing on Ice. As a runner, alongside many lowly errands, he was also able to use equipment out of hours to teach himself editing. “Although I did once have to go and pay a producer’s drug dealer one night – that was eye-opening to say the least.”

Mark recalls “getting screamed at by a 50-plus-year-old producer for incorrectly spreading Marmite on his toast”. Josie was told to water a plant on a manager’s desk while they watched, given a colour chart with exact instructions on the acceptable colour of their tea, and sent to buy lunch urgently for 60 people – and carry it back on her own. Carl says he suffered “verbal abuse and groping (by both men and women, some of whom worked in front of the camera)”, and was regularly “made to feel incredibly small in front of large groups of people, which was always the worst part for me”.

“I was expected to work relentlessly long hours and would cry in the photocopying room,” says Hamish of his “harrowing” time working on a comedy drama. “I gave a producer a cup of tea without a spoon and he said: ‘Will you get me a spoon or should I stir it with my cock?’ A production assistant gave me five seconds to clean folders off my desk and then pushed them all off on to the floor.”

Most did not want to give their real names: “Please, please, please keep my name out of it,” wrote one respondent. “This year has been dire for us in the industry and my career will be ended if this comes out.”

Can the treatment of junior staff on film sets really be this bad? Philippa Childs, the head of the broadcasting union Bectu, says: “I think it is pretty widespread.” With a toxic mix of tight deadlines, squeezed budgets and big egos, film sets too often excuse bad behaviour as part of the creative process, she says.

Short, transient contracts can allow the worst offenders to move on without accountability. “And inevitably, freelance runners, because they’re at the bottom of the food chain, probably get the worst of all worlds.”

The industry says it is aware of the problem and is taking steps to address it. Broadcasters and stars have voiced support for a new body, the Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority, which hopes to embed best practice across the sector and offer independent advice to those suffering maltreatment. The BFI has published detailed anti-bullying, harassment and racism standards, and this month announced a pilot programme of resources and training to help productions treat staff fairly and legally.

Some former runners who have stayed in the industry say there are signs of improvement. “I do think the landscape is changing, there’s more safeguarding and requests from broadcasters to the production companies to take better care,” says Sean, who is now an assistant producer. “I see a lot more responsible producers who went through the fire and decided that that isn’t what they want others to go through – myself included.”

WATERLOO Road fans were thrilled when Angela Griffin unexpectedly turned up in the latest episode of the school drama after quitting the show.

The actress has played headteacher Kim Campbell since 2006, so viewers were shocked to see the character suddenly leave town to go travel the world with her fiance Andrew Treneman in September.

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Audiences at home worried that would be the last they saw of Angela.

Her exit seemed even more cemented when one of Angela’s co-stars said she was “gutted” about the actress leaving.

However, Kim made a one-off comeback to Waterloo Road last night in a shocking twist.

The dramatic season 14 finale saw Schuey imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit, and the boy begged his former headteacher to come back and help him prove his innocence.

Much to everyone’s surprise, Kim did actually show up, and listened to Schuey’s account of how he did not kill Boz Osbourne.

In reality Billy was the one who accidentally caused Boz’s death, and his dad tried to save him by planting evidence in Schuey’s locker.

Kim came back to Waterloo Road High School in full force to solve the whodunnit, investigating everyone who seemed suspicious – including the new headteacher.

Angela took to Instagram to celebrate her character’s return with a heartfelt post, while acknowledging her excitement about directing the episode as well as starring in it.

The actress wrote: “Last night marked the return of Kim Campbell for the final episode of Waterloo Road season 14.

“A really special episode as we say goodbye to so many characters. And also really special as I also directed the episode.

“Such incredible performances from the cast, many of who I’ve worked with since their first ever days on set. I can never express how incredible a team it is up in Manchester, from Make Up to the props department, from the grips to the caterers.

“The Waterloo Road team is EXCELLENT in every way. And I’m so glad to have been a part of it all.”

Fans flocked to the comments to share how delighted they were to see Kim make one last reappearance on the drama.

One person exclaimed: “Great to see you back!!”

Another gushed: “We love you so much you will always be a WR legend you’ve always been one of my favourites since day 1 all those years ago in the og days I love you so much thank you for everything.”

A third shared: “I enjoyed this series so much that I ended up watching it all in one day…oops. Anyway, you did a fab job directing, and I really hope this isn’t the last time we see Kim Campbell! (But if it is, she got a happy ending, and I can’t be too mad at that!)”

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The elimination of Jenn Tran on Dancing with the Stars week seven has caused fan upheaval, with several arguing that retired NBA star Dwight Howard should have been sent home instead.

On Tuesday’s (October 29) “Halloween Nightmares” episode, each pair competed in a dance-off against another couple as well as their regular performances. The winners of the dance-off were awarded three additional points to their overall weekly score.

Bachelor alum Jenn danced a Contemporary to “Vampire” by Olivia Rodrigo for her performance with partner Sasha Farber. She later competed against Olympic gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik, both of whom danced the salsa to Harry Belafonte’s “Jump In the Line.” Jenn was crowned the winner, putting her final week seven score at 31.

For his performance, Dwight also danced a Contemporary to District 78’s “Ring Around the Rosie” with partner Daniella Karagach. Throughout much of the dance, the 6 ft 10 in athlete could be seen lifting Karagach over his head and even swinging her around by one leg.

He later competed against Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher for the dance-off round, where they did the Cha-Cha to Ray Parker Jr’s “Ghostbusters.” Dwight was named the winner, putting his final week seven score at 31, too.

While Jenn and Dwight ended the night with tied scores, it was Jenn who was ultimately eliminated.

Following Jenn’s shock elimination, several viewers took to X to express their outrage.

“DWIGHT SHOULD’VE GONE HOME. JENN WAS ACTUALLY IMPROVING GOD I HATE THIS,” one wrote.

“So the worst dancer got saved and now Jenn is gone? I feel so bad for Jenn, she literally loved this experience,” a second agreed, with a third adding: “Jenn actually dances and ate tf up meanwhile Dwight is still here for giving nothing but whatever.”

“I CANT STAND YALL THIS IS DANCING WITH THE STARS NOT LIFTING WITH THE STARS GET IT RIGHT,” another pointed out.

“The system failed Jenn Tran,” someone else said in exasperation, while another added: “Tired of abc shows screwing over Jenn,” in reference to her previous stint as The Bachelorette’s season 21 star, which ended in heartbreak.

Speaking to Access Hollywood after her DWTS elimination, Jenn said: “I’m very very proud of myself. I didn’t think I could do all the things I did today – we won the dance-off, we salsa-ed, we moved our hips and we did a contemporary.

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“We ended out on a bang, and I’m so proud of everything that I’ve learned to do, conquered my fear of stage fright of moving my hips all at once.”

Dancing with the Stars airs Tuesdays at 8pm ET on ABC.

EASTENDERS fans have spotted ‘proof’ Nish Panesar is faking his terminal illness.

The killer businessman – who is played by actor Navin Chowdhry in BBC soap – is blackmailing ex-wife Suki over her role in Keanu Taylor’s killing at Christmas.

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He is forcing her to reunite with him and be his wife for as long as he remains alive.

The sick plot was hatched in yesterday’s episode and tonight Suki revealed to Stacey that it was only for one day and two nights – and then Nish would be handing himself in and taking the blame for Keanu’s murder.

This all makes sense because Nish wants control of Suki and is also already dying so has nothing to really lose.

However after he overheard Suki tell Stacey she would “cut him dead” the minute he was in prison, Nish moved the goalposts. 

After getting their reunion blessed, Nish delighted in telling Suki that he had no plans to hand himself in.

He told her: “Thank you for what you’ve done. It comforts me to know that I will live out my final days here in our family home with you by my side.”

“You promised to go to the police tomorrow,” she replied, horrified.

But Nish told her: “And you promised if I went to prison that you would honour our relationship until the day I die, not cut me dead. 

“But enough talk about death, right now I feel like I could live forever.”

His last line – and surprisingly sprightly actions for a dying man – have fans convinced that Nish isn’t in fact dying.

One wrote: “Am amazed given he was apparently at death’s door two weeks ago Nish has made a remarkable recovery. 

“Almost like he isn’t terminally ill at all the way he was pushing Suki around and attacking her!”

A second said: “The NHS is truly working wonders these days – the terminally ill Nish with only weeks to live finding the strength to overpower Suki on the stairs.”

Another added: “I tend to forget that Nish is meant to be dying.”

Darkest soap storylines

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Over the years the likes of EastEnders, Emmerdale and Coronation Street have all tried to try outdo each other with their outlandish plots in a bid to keep us tuning in each week. But here are some of the darkest that had fans in shock…

EastEnders: Tony grooming Whitney (2008-2009) – Tony King first appeared in Albert Square in 2008 as the boyfriend of Bianca, played by Patsy Palmer. But it was quickly revealed he was a paedophile who had been grooming vulnerable Whitney, Bianca’s adopted stepdaughter from a previous relationship, since she was 12. The shocking storyline attracted more than 200 complaints within a week of it beginning. Whitney waited until her 16th birthday to reveal the truth to a horrified Bianca, who called the police.

Emmerdale: Holly’s drug addiction and shock death (2010-2016) – In 2010, Holly Barton (played by Sophie Powles) became Emmerdale’s first teenage drug addict. The shocking storyline saw her taking cocaine on a night out before developing a deadly heroin habit. Parents John and Moira desperately tried to help get their daughter clean but when Holly returned in 2016, following a four-year absence, she quickly relapsed. Fans were left stunned and heartbroken when distraught Moira found Holly dead in her bed from a heroin overdose.

Hollyoaks: Luke’s rape (2000) – Actor Gary Lucy was just 17 when he took on this groundbreaking storyline, which saw his character Luke Morgan become soap’s first male rape victim. Luke had endured a long-running bullying campaign by football rival Mark Gibbs – who raped him after Luke stood up to him. Luke was left suicidal following the brutal attack, before opening up to his brother Adam. Gibbs was sentenced to eight years in prison. Gary won the Best Actor gong at the British Soap Awards in 2000 for his performance.

Coronation Street: Evil Richard Hillman (2001-2003) – Just a mere mention of ‘Richard Hillman’ is enough to send a shiver down the spines of soap fans. He is often ranked one of the most evil soap villains and it’s not hard to see why. The smooth-talking financial adviser bashed his ex-wife Patricia over the head with a shovel. In a bid to keep his mother-in-law Audrey quiet, he set fire to her house. And when Maxine caught him trying to murder Emily Bishop, he took a crowbar to her head. He made his exit from the cobbles in 2003 when he drove Gail Platt, played by Helen Worth, and her family into the canal. They survived, but he didn’t.

A fourth commented: “Nish seems to go from a hospital bed or slumped somewhere gasping for air to walking around in his crisp suit antagonising and pulling strings and back again with remarkable frequency.”

“Ugh Nish bellowing,” said another. “I don’t really find it too convincing. Also shouldn’t he be collapsing with chest pains from all this exertion?”

HELEN Worth is reportedly filming her final scenes as Gail Platt in Coronation Street this week.

The actress, 73, revealed her plans to leave the ITV soap in June.

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Helen has been playing Gail for the past 50 years, but now feels like it is the “perfect time” to leave.

Now the Daily Mail has divulged she is finally filming her last scenes on the show.

Her entire exit storyline has not been revealed yet – but viewers have seen Gail get engaged one last time in the lead up to leaving Weatherfield forever.

Jesse Chadwick recently returned to the cobbles after going on an off-screen adventure with Gail in Thailand.

After breaking the news to her family that the pair are in a romantic relationship, Gail decided to take an even bigger step and proposed to her beau.

And it seems it could be seventh time lucky for Gail, who has been married six times before.

Coronation Street’s executive producer Iain MacLeod has promised a happy ending for the long time character, telling soap fans: “Gail won’t die. It didn’t feel like killing her off would be right.

“Gail’s exit is a brilliant story. I thought, ‘What do the viewers want to see?’

“Gail has had a hard life. She had a difficult childhood and disastrous marriages. So, we thought what viewers really want is a happy ending for her, so that’s what we’re doing.”

A source also previously told the Sun that Gail’s exit scenes would feature a wedding, adding: “Helen and Gail have been part of the fabric of Coronation Street since 1974, so only a truly big exit storyline would be fitting for her. 

“The wedding scenes are being filmed at the moment and when they air, viewers will be gripped.”

When Helen made the announcement that she was quitting Corrie, the soap star told fans: “I made the decision at the start of the year and spoke to the producers who were very kind and understanding. 

“I have been truly blessed to have been given the most incredible scripts week in week out, and to have worked with fantastic actors, directors and a brilliant crew.”

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Puerto Rican actor Aubrey Plaza has called out racist remarks made about the island and its people at a recent Donald Trump rally.

On Sunday (27 October), comedian Tony Hinchcliffe was booed at a rally in Madison Square Garden after he described Puerto Rico as a “floating island of garbage“.

“There’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now,” Hinchcliffe, 40, said. “I think it’s called Puerto Rico.”

The joke led to widespread condemnation from Republicans, Democrats, and celebrities, and Trump’s campaign has distanced itself from the comments.

Speaking at the Wall Street Journal’s Innovator Awards in New York on Tuesday (29 October), Plaza – who is of Puerto Rican descent – said: “I just wanted to very quickly respond to the racist joke that was made at that Trump rally about Puerto Rico, where most of my family is from.

“Thankfully, my sweet Abuelita [grandma] wasn’t here to hear that disgusting remark. But if she was alive today, I think she would say, ‘Tony Hinchcliffe, go f*** yourself.’ And yes, the Wall Street Journal can quote me on that.”

Plaza, 40, was at the event to present basketball player A’ja Wilson as one of the 2024 honourees.

The actor, who has recently starred in the Marvel miniseries Agatha All Along and the indie film My Old Ass, is not the first Puerto Rican celebrity to call out the comments.

Luis Fonsi, the singer behind the hit song “Despacito”, wrote on his Instagram story on Sunday: “We are not OK with this constant hate. It’s been abundantly clear that these people have no respect for us and yet they want our vote. I purposely wrote this in English cause yes we’re American too.”

The fallout from the racist joke continued on Tuesday evening when Joe Biden was forced to issue a denial that he called supporters of Trump “garbage” in retaliation.

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Trump and Kamala Harris are in their final week of campaigning ahead of the US election on 5 November, with the national polls showing the two candidates in a deadlock.