999 (British TV series)

999 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 hosted by Buerk and Juliet Morris, 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 programmes 999 Lifesavers and 999 International alongside Buerk. Morris left the show in 1997, with Donna Bernard taking over as co-presenter for 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 later this 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 last summer.

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

Merchandise

Tie-in publication

999: Dramatic Stories of Real-Life Rescues by Michael Buerk, published by BBC Books in 1994..999 Young Lifesavers by Michael Buerk, published by BBC Books in 1996..

Video releases

999: Lifesaver Video
''999: Family Safety Video''