EastEnders star suffers serious accident

EastEnders actress Kim Medcalf has suffered multiple broken bones in a car crash in France.

The soap star was on the first day of a two-week break when the accident happened close to Calais.

Kim, who plays Sam Butcher, was travelling with her boyfriend en route to Italy last Saturday.

Their vehicle crashed, leaving her with a broken leg, hand and breast bone.

A BBC spokesman says the cast of EastEnders have sent her their best wishes for a speedy recovery.

He added: "She's still in France and will return to the UK when she's fit to travel.

"The main priority is that she gets better and doesn't even think of returning to work until she's recovered.

"Everybody at EastEnders have said their thoughts are with her and they have sent her their best wishes for a speedy recovery."

Kim's accident is the second setback to hit the soap in recent weeks after actress Michelle Ryan went on indefinite sick leave last month.

The 18-year-old, who plays Zoe Slater, is understood to be suffering from nervous exhaustion.