EXCLUSIVE
BY STEPHEN STEWART s.stewart@dailyrecord.co.uk
MICHELLE Keegan has paid a heartfelt tribute to a hero Scots medic who was killed in Iraq.
The Our Girl star – who portrays soldier Georgie Lane in the BBC series – took to social media to pay her respects to Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon.
Brodie – who died in a rocket attack while serving her country – was awarded full military honours as her body was repatriated at RAF Brize Norton, near Oxford, on Thursday.
Former Coronation Street star Michelle posted a picture of Brodie and wrote: “Despite what’s going on in the world right now, a true hero landed on home soil.
“Rest in peace Lance Corporal Brodie Gillon.
“Deepest condolences to your family, loved ones and your regiment. Thank you for your services.”
Brodie, 26, from Ayr, died alongside two US personnel in the assault on Camp Taji on March 11. She was a reservist with the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry and some of her comrades changed their social media profile to her unit insignia in her honour.
They said she would be sadly missed.
Brodie – who was a sports physiotherapist in civilian life – was killed while volunteering as part of the Irish Guards Battle Group.
She had joined the Scottish and North Irish Yeomanry in September 2015 and qualified as a Class 1 Combat Medical Technician in 2018.
Lieutenant Colonel William Leek, her commanding officer, said she was a “hugely popular character”, adding he was proud and humbled to have served alongside her.
He said: “She was a larger than life soldier who was determined to deploy on operations, help others, develop herself and gain practical experience.
“She had already achieved a great deal in her relatively short time with us and it was abundantly clear that she was destined for great things in her civilian and military careers. Her loss is keenly felt.”
The US has launched air strikes in retaliation for the rocket attack.
The fourth and final series of Our Girl starts on the BBC1 at 9pm tomorrow.
Michelle, 32, from Stockport, has been in the show since 2016.