Martin Clunes used Doc Martin knowledge to stop 'nonsensical' operation being performed on his wife

Doc Martin star Martin Clunes used his medical knowledge from his years playing the grumpy West Country GP to step in and stop surgeons operating on his wife.

The actor, who said he had picked up some tips on set in the hit show, told Reader's Digest: "You have to remember that British medical dramas are obliged to be accurate. You can't just make things up as they do on American shows. So we have a medical expert on the series and I have learned about certain conditions and procedures."

Clunes, who is married to the show's producer Philippa Braithwaite, got involved when doctors said they wanted to carry out what he described as a "nonsensical" operation.

He said: "She had an infection in her gall bladder and the surgeon was minded to take out her appendix. There was no infection in her appendix and instinct told me that it would be the wrong thing to do. So I took her home instead and she was treated there.

"As Philippa's husband, it was my prerogative to do this. But when I was chatting to hospital staff they handed me her medical notes to look at in a way they might not have with an ordinary member of the public. I do wonder whether there wasn't some confusion between me and Doc Martin."

:: Read the full interview in Reader's Digest September issue, on sale on Friday.

PA