Comedian Cerys Nelmes had an eventful run-up to a recent gig. She was in a restaurant before her show at the Chesham Comedy Club in Dunstable and stepped in when someone at a nearby table got into difficulties.

Nelmes was just paying for her meal at the Cod & Waffle in Leighton Buzzard: "As I was walking to the till a woman started coughing. Her friend got up and started tapping her on the back but then it escalated and she started choking. I put my bag down and went over and started pounding her on the back to no avail. The ambulance was called and all the staff and customers were gathering around! I used the Heimlich manoeuvre and then gave her some more massive slaps on the back and eventually dislodged the prawn she was choking on.

I got her to calm down and take deep breaths. She was crying, her friend was in shock, all the staff were shook up. I made sure she was OK and left for the gig leaving my number just in case the paramedics needed to speak to me. As I was leaving I went over to introduce myself, her name was Roz, she was very thankful! I got my meal for free!!!"

Nelmes has not had medical training, but maybe her acting career has rubbed off on her - she plays a background paramedic Casualty.

In January 2018 it was reported that comic Ed Byrne had saved a choking fan at his gig at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradord but the story was later refuted. Byrne tweeted about coverage of his heroism: “This is a great story, only partially ruined by the fact that’s it’s completely untrue.”

More about Cerys Nelmes here.