BBC WRITES OUT PREGNANT MONARCH ACTRESS

An actress has been sacked from the hit BBC1 drama Monarch of the Glen after becoming pregnant.
Simone Lahbib, who is nine weeks pregnant, was told by BBC executives at the weekend that they would write her out of the show because they would be unable to fit her pregnancy in the storyline.

Sources close to the 39 year old actress, who plays lead character Isobel Anderson, say she is ‘distraught’ at the decision. ‘She has been crying all weekend’ said one member of the crew.

‘She saw this as her big chance and she can’t understand why they can’t write round her pregnancy.’

Filming of the latest series of the show, which is watched by 4 million, was due to start in Scotland in six weeks. But cast and crew were told yesterday to arrive a week later to allow writers to change the script.

A spokesman for Miss Lahbib said ‘she is disappointed. She loved being in the show. The producers have said they might be able to write her back in after she has had the baby. She is hoping she will be able to continue to work with them.’

Employment lawyers said Miss Lahbib could sue for sex discrimination, but her spokesman said she had no plans to sue because, in the meeting, the BBC had discussed other employment opportunities for her.