FUN FACTS: Firefighters on screen

New series Yorkshire Firefighters (8pm, BBC2) follows the region’s fire and rescue service during the pandemic. Here are a few surprising facts about firefighters on film and TV…

● British TV drama London’s Burning (19882002) was created by Jack Rosenthal, who recalled being inspired by his friendship with a real-life London fireman: ‘He’d tell me things that had happened. Sometimes, he’d be depressed and occasionally elated.’

● Other British shows about firefighters include Steel River Blues (2004), set in Middlesbrough, north Yorkshire, and The Smoke (2014), which starred Jodie Whittaker and Taron Egerton. Both were cancelled after one series.

● There are numerous US shows following firefighters. Sky Witness is currently home to new episodes of 9-1-1 and spin-off 9-1-1: Lone Star (Monday nights). You can also catch up with old episodes of Chicago Fire on Sky/now. ● Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire )wasa New York firefighter before becoming an actor. He served from 1980-84; in 2001, he returned to help to search for survivors of the 9/11 attacks.

● Actor Robert John Burke (Robocop 3) became an active New York firefighter in 2002, and is captain of an engine. He appeared in US firefighter drama Rescue Me (2004-11) as an ex-priest.

● For Backdraft (1991), lead actors Kurt Russell (centre), Scott Glenn and William Baldwin trained with real Chicago firefighters, who were then cast in the film in small roles.