999 (initially known as 999: Dramatic Stories of Real Life Rescues in some listings) is a British docudrama television series presented by Michael Buerk, that premiered on 25 June 1992 on BBC One and ran until 17 September 2003. The series got its name from the emergency telephone number used in the United Kingdom and is the British adaptation of the American series Rescue 911, which premiered in April 1989 and ended in August 1996.
A number of specials and spin-off shows were also aired, including five series of 999 Lifesavers (1994–1998) hosted by Buerk and Juliet Morris (later replaced by Donna Bernard), and 999 International in 1997. A similar, more child-friendly series called Against All Odds was aired on CBBC in the early 2000s. This version was hosted by Kate Gerbeau and Jake Humphrey.
History In the first series, each episode included two reconstructions of real emergencies, using actors and occasionally Buerk himself, as well as some of the real people involved in the emergency. Buerk was joined by Fiona Foster who acted as a video reporter. By the second series, episodes of 999 included more reconstructions. Foster was replaced by Juliet Morris, who also hosted the spin-off seprogrammes 999 Lifesavers and 999 International alongside Buerk. Morris left the show in 1997, with Donna Bernard taking over as co-presenter for the seventh regular series in 1998 and the final series of 999 Lifesavers later that year. Following Bernard's departure, Buerk hosted the next two series alone. New titles and theme music were used for the first time. Stunt performer Marc Cass was also introduced, appearing in a regular segment throughout both series.
While recreating an accident for an episode in 1993, veteran stuntman Tip Tipping was killed in a parachuting accident. In an interview with Radio Times in May 2000, Buerk revealed that he originally wanted the series to show rescues ending in tragedy in order to heighten its suspense. Producers instead opted for a more uplifting format which proved more effective for the show's success.
In September 2002, it was announced that the show had been cancelled and that the next series, which would be aired the following year, was to be the last. The programme underwent a revamp in 2001 to include a new segment called 999 Saved My Life, which showed how members of the public had been able to save a person in danger by following advice given on the show. Buerk was joined by a new co-host, Dr Catherine Hood, who tested members of the public on their knowledge of first aid. The series received respectable ratings of around four million when it aired.
Transmissions Original series
Series Start date End date Episodes 1 25 June 1992 6 August 1992 7 2 27 April 1993 8 June 1993 7 3 8 April 1994 10 June 1994 10 4 7 April 1995 16 June 1995 10 5 12 April 1996 14 June 1996 10 6 8 May 1997 12 June 1997 6 7 7 April 1998 16 June 1998 10 8 27 April 1999 17 November 1999 10 9 5 April 2000 27 September 2000 5 10 29 May 2001 10 September 2001 14 11 28 October 2002 14 January 2003 7 12 15 April 2003 17 September 2003 4
999 Lifesavers Series Start date End date Episodes Main presenter(s) Co-presenter(s) 1 8 September 1994 13 October 1994 6 Michael Buerk Juliet Morris 2 15 September 1995 17 November 1995 10 3 3 September 1996 17 December 1996 10 4 17 October 1997 6 January 1998 10 Donna Bernard
999 International Series Start date End date Episodes 1 31 July 1997 11 September 1997 6
Specials Date Title 30 May 1994 Young Lifesavers 6 December 1994 No Excuses 28 April 1995 The Point of No Return 12 January 1996 Operation Coathanger 19 January 1996 Sea of Fire 26 January 1996 The Lonely Walk 8 February 1996 The Flying Doctors 20 February 1996 999 International Rescue (part 1) 27 February 1996 999 International Rescue (part 2) 3 May 1996 Speed Kills 6 May 1997 Missing in Action 14 October 1997 The Great Storm 17 March 1998 Escape from Paradise 27 March 1998 Heart Special 21 August 1998 Diana's Legacy 8 September 1998 999 Lifesavers Baby Special 25 November 1998 Storm Alert 5 January 1999 The New Year Storms 5 April 1999 The Easter Floods 17 August 1999 999 Fire Rescues 2 September 1999 999 Animal Rescue
Merchandise Tie-in publication 999: Dramatic Stories of Real-Life Rescues by Michael Buerk, published by BBC Books in 1994. . Features 15 gripping stories as featured on the show, along with 999 Safety Advice: simple, easy-to-understand instructions on how to deal with common emergencies. 999 Young Lifesavers by Michael Buerk, published by BBC Books in 1996. . Tying in with the children's television series, "999" and "999 Lifesavers", this book contains instructions on how to react in emergencies. The topics covered include coping with sudden illness, what to do if someone is struck by lightning, survival out of doors, electrical accidents and road accidents. There is also advice on how to avoid accidents in the first place, focusing on, for instance, dangerous plants and animals, and sensible behaviour at the seaside.
Video releases 999: Lifesaver Video (1996) 999: Family Safety Video (1998)
See also Real Rescues (2007–2013)
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