'Brian Blessed Once Bit Through A Stranger's Umbilical Cord In A Park', And Other Unbelievable Tales
Brian Blessed Tells Unbelievable 'Biting Through Umbilical Cord' Anecdote
Daniel Welsh— The Huffington Post UK
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Brian Blessed has divulged the unusual tale of when he chewed through a stranger’s umbilical cord, after discovering her giving birth under a tree.
Allow us to explain.
The thespian actor gave an interview with BBC Radio Four on Wednesday, revealing that in 1963, he was filming ‘Z Cars’, and noticed a woman in need of some assistance.
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Brian Blessed
He explains: “I was in Richmond Park and a woman was having a baby under a tree and there was nobody around. I rushed over to her.
“I told her to breathe deeply and I delivered the baby. I got the afterbirth out, then I bit it loose and tied it into a knot and then I called for help.
"My shirt was covered in blood. I was saying 'it's alright darling' and I was licking the baby's face."
A truly baffling story, but also one Brian insists is “absolutely” true, claiming: “I've just never talked about it. But what I'm saying is it was natural.
"You would tell her to breathe deeply and push, push, push, because I'd seen my mother do all this. I was always kept in the background, because all the neighbours were kind of midwives."
This isn’t the first time that Brian has proved how well he copes under pressure, though.
Who? Rowan AtkinsonWho did they play? Edmund BlackadderWATN? After ‘Blackadder’ Rowan went on to star in the TV comedy ‘The Thin Blue Line’, but found worldwide fame playing the hugely popular (and divisive) Mr.Bean. As well as several TV series, his creation also enjoyed commercial success on the big screen in ‘Bean’ and ‘Mr. Bean's Holiday’. After retiring Mr. Bean, Rowan hit pay dirt again with his Johnny English character in two big budget movies. More recently, Mr. Bean came out of retirement to star in a Snickers TV ad. (credit:BBC/AP)
'Blackadder': Where Are They Now?(02 of09)
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Who? Miranda RichardsonWho did they play? QueenieWATN? Miranda has gone on to star in some of the biggest movies of recent times including ‘Sleepy Hollow’, ‘Empire of the Sun’, ‘The Hours’, ‘The Phantom Of The Opera’, ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ and ‘Harry Potter’. (credit:BBC/PA)
'Blackadder': Where Are They Now?(03 of09)
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Who? Hugh LaurieWho did they play? George (various incarnations)WATN? Hugh went on to enjoy bona fide global success after becoming a big star in America thanks to his lead role as Dr. Gregory House, the protagonist in the hit US TV series ‘House’. The role earned him two Golden Globe awards, two Screen Actors Guild awards and led to him being crowned ‘the most watched leading man on television’ by Guinness World Records in 2011. The role also saw him become one of the highest-paid actors in a television drama, earning £250,000 per episode. (credit:BBC/PA)
'Blackadder': Where Are They Now?(04 of09)
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Who? Patsy ByrneWho did they play? NursieWATN? As well as ‘Blackadder’, Patsy also starred as Malcolm's domineering mother in the ITV comedy series ‘Watching’ between 1987 and 1993. She died at the age of 80 in June 2014. (credit:BBC/Rex)
'Blackadder': Where Are They Now?(05 of09)
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Who? Rik MayallWho did they play? Lord FlashheartWATN? After ‘Blackadder’ came to an end in 1989, Rik found some success on the big screen in ‘Drop Dead Fred’ before teaming up with his ‘Young Ones’ co-star Ade Edmondson to star in the BBC hit comedy ‘Bottom’. It ran for three series between 1991 and 1995. He died at his home in Barnes, South London in June 2014. He was 56. (credit:BBC/PA)
'Blackadder': Where Are They Now?(06 of09)
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Who? Stephen FryWho did they play? Lord Melchett and General MelchettWATN? Since appearing in ‘Blackadder’, Stephen hasn’t stopped working. As well has hosting the brainiac’s TV quiz show ‘QI’, he’s appeared on the small and big screen in everything from ‘Doctor Who’ and ‘24’ to ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘Alice In Wonderland’. When he’s not busy entertaining 11 million Twitter followers with his wit and wisdom, he enjoys the quiet life with his husband Elliott Spencer, who he married in 2015. Later this year he can be heard providing the voice of Colonel K in the ‘Danger Mouse’ reboot. (credit:BBC/PA)
'Blackadder': Where Are They Now?(07 of09)
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Who? Tony RobinsonWho did they play? BaldrickWATN? After playing nice-but-dim Baldrick, Robinson hung up his actor’s cap to front the hugely successful archaeological investigations show ‘Time Team’ on Channel 4. He’s also written 16 children’s books and his familiar voice can be heard narrating everything from ‘Airline’ to ‘Nellie The Elephant’. (credit:BBC/PA)
'Blackadder': Where Are They Now?(08 of09)
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Who? Brian BlessedWho did they play? King Richard IV.WATN? The acting legend hasn’t stopped working since ‘Blackadder’, having scored roles in ‘Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace’, ‘Much Ado About Nothing’, ‘King Lear’, and ‘Peppa Pig’ and ‘Sooty’, to name but a few! (credit:PA)
'Blackadder': Where Are They Now?(09 of09)
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Who? Robbie ColtraneWho did they play? Dr. Samuel Johnson, noted for his fat dictionaryWATN? From ‘Nuns On the Run’ via ‘Cracker’ to Hagrid in the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise, Robbie hasn’t stopped working since. (credit:PA)