Filming has begun on the tenth series of the BBC's Call the Midwife, which has scenes filmed at Chatham Historic Dockyard.

The hit Sunday night show will be making a return this Christmas, with a one-off 90-minute episode which will air on Christmas Day .

Producers Neal Street Productions made the announcement on their Facebook page , with pictures of Dr Turner (Stephen McGann, and head of make-up, Stella O'Farrell, saying: "Giving birth to each season of Call the Midwife, even in healthy times, is a major logistical task, involving the skills of far more people than you see on screen.

"Bringing all of these heroes back together to film in safety during a pandemic has been our top priority. But being able to deliver a brand new Christmas Special and Series 10 to you is the very best reward that we could wish for."

Cast and crew have needed to use PPE, with make-up artists in full protective clothing, including visors.

There have eight Christmas specials so far; nine series and some 130 on-screen births in that time.

Executive producer, Dame Pippa Harris, said: “Alongside the rest of the country, we have all been devastated to see how Covid-19 has affected people around the world. Our midwives and nurses may not be the front-line heroes of today’s NHS, but by getting back to work, they, and we, hope to bring some joy and respite into people’s lives. In such difficult times, the values of Call the Midwife seem more resonant than ever. In series ten we will continue to celebrate the skill and bravery of the UK’s NHS whilst bringing laughter and love into our homes.”

Series creator, writer and executive producer Heidi Thomas, added: "It is a particular thrill to be able to deliver the Christmas Special on time, just as we promised at the start of the pandemic. We are very much a family at Call the Midwife, and like families everywhere, we have missed each other."

The dockyard's Call the Midwife tours of locations used in filming are now back and run until the end of October.

The festive special is set in December 1965 and everyone at Nonnatus House is looking forward to the celebrations but nothing goes to plan, with Sister Monica Joan being rushed to hospital; there's a surprise reunion for Shelagh and the circus arrives in Poplar.

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