Florence Nightingale was is a bit of an enigma for me. Apart from carrying a lamp about, saving loads of lives and being a fantastic nurse (which, to be fair, is enough for anyone in one lifetime), I don’t know too much about her. Will this lack of knowledge make me tune into the Beeb’s new costume drama, Florence Nightingale, in a few week’s time? I’m not sure to be honest. I just think Florence, although a very worthy subject, is a bit of an obvious one. Know what I mean?

She is, as the BBC declares, one of Britain’s greatest heroines. That much is fair enough. So what does this latest telling of her story that others haven’t been able to reveal?

Well, the BBC says that this one-off film, starring Laura Fraser as the eponymous heroine, will be based on her own words, and the spiritual and emotional breakdown during the Crimean War. During the carnage, where she made her name, she had a moment of crisis, doubt and failure.

After the Crimean War, which was deemed an absolute disaster, Florence Nightingale became known as the only good thing to come out of it. Inspired by the mismanagement and bloodshed she saw, Florence kept on at the authorities to investigate military commanders. This investigation also revealed flaws in herself, which prompted a full-blown breakdown.

Hmmm. This actually sounds very interesting. And, check this… Roy Hudd will be singing traditional music hall numbers from the time during breaks in the drama. No I’m sold.