John Gothard has been working as a TV extra for 25 years.

MAXINE GORDON finds out what life is like on the other side of the box.

MILLIONS of viewers will watch John Gothard die on national television. Wired up to hi-tech monitors in a hospital intensive care ward, his heart stops and despite the valiant efforts of doctors and nurses, he cannot be resuscitated.

Before you despair that such a scene represents a shocking decline in telly standards of good taste, let me tell you that John's death isn't the subject of some grisly fly-on-the-wall docusoap. No, it's just a scene from the popular TV detective drama series A Touch Of Frost, to be shown in January.

And I'm glad to report that John seemed very much alive and well when I called in to meet him at his home at Sherburn-in-Elmet.

The dead man role is just one of hundreds of small - and even tinier - parts John has played over the years in a long career as a TV extra.

And it's a job which sits nicely with his other professional interests as a singer/comedian in clubs and a businessman who sells flight cases for musical instruments.

"I remember being all wired up for the scene in A Touch Of Frost," recalls John, 51. "The floor manager came over and asked me: 'Are you ready to die?' I told him I was a comedian and I've worked in Barnsley, so I've died loads of time!"

There are a lot of laughs on the set, says John, although there is also a lot of waiting around - and working in all weathers. His worst experience was a day filming A Great Deliverance (to be shown on the BBC in the spring) in relentless rain.

"I played a policeman looking in a field for a headless body. It poured with rain all day and was absolutely freezing. The rain was lashing down and we were all soaked through," recalls John.

Fortunately, there are many more pleasant memories. His favourite assignment was again on A Touch Of Frost, and again playing a policeman. It was the episode when Frost, played by David Jason, was suspended on suspicion of corruption and he was investigated by a female police inspector played by Gwyneth Strong - Jason's co-star in Only Fools And Horses.

"There was one scene in the interview room with just the three of us," says John. "It was the first time the two of them had worked together in a while, so it was quite special.

"David Jason was really nice and asked me what I did and wished me luck. He's a really nice guy and doesn't act like a big shot."

John admits to being typecast: he often plays a policeman. A memorable role was as one of the cops who arrested Frank Tate over the supposed murder of his wife in Emmerdale.

John has also popped up in Heartbeat, the period police drama set in rural North Yorkshire in the Sixties.

In the festive episode, to be broadcast on Christmas Eve, John can be spotted in the bank. It turned out to be an extra special assignment for John as this episode was to be Greengrass's last appearance in the show. Actor Bill Maynard, who plays the loveable old rogue, had had a stroke the day before John's filming day and he had to complete his scene with a stand-in for Greengrass.

Heartbeat fans might have spotted John just a few weeks ago. He had a cameo role as a vicar in an hilarious episode when Greengrass's plans to give an old war comrade a ceremonial send- off go awry when the horse breaks free.

"It's all very solemn, and I'm greeting the mourners - all the principal characters are there - then the horse dashes off with the coffin and we all just stand there looking gobsmacked," says John.

As you can see, John is sometimes called on to be more than just a bod in the background.

Much of John's work is for Yorkshire TV, which began in the Seventies with spots on programmes including First World War series Tom Gratton's War, legal drama The Main Chance and variety show Sez Les with Les Dawson.

These days, John estimates he does TV extra work on average twice a week - leaving him ample time to pursue his other business interests. Most weekends, he still entertains in clubs across the country under his stage name Kris Major. In the summer, he will work in holiday camps too.

On top of running his packaging business, it all adds up to a busy and varied life.

The TV work isn't as glamorous as it sounds, he warns, citing early starts, long days and only a basic daily pay rate of around £70.

And, he adds, it's not really for someone who is starstruck. It's nice to celebrity spot and rub shoulders with big TV names on set - or more likely queuing for a cup of tea in the canteen - says John, but extras have to be careful not to get in the way and harass the celebrities.

He doesn't take a camera on set - although some extras do - and he doesn't even ask for autographs.

"You've got to try to be a bit cool," he says with a smile.

From his impressive track record, it seems clear that being cool is one act John has more than mastered.

IF you fancy making some extra money from getting yourself on the box, here are some top tips from John:

(1) You don't have to be in Equity, the actors' union, but it may help.

(2) TV companies often recruit extras through agents, so it may help to sign up with one.

(3) Go through the agents in the Yellow Pages and call to find out which ones offer TV work.

(4) Avoid paying any money upfront and look for an agreement based on commission for work done.

(5) Some TV companies recruit extras directly - again call to find out.

(6) You'll need to send some black and white pictures to agents or TV companies - so get some current snaps taken.

(7) If you get a part, the golden rules are to turn up on time; be mature and show common sense; don't hassle the stars or crew.

(8) On arrival, a crew member will tell you what is required and offer any direction needed.

(9) Follow the basic etiquette of the set: let the principal characters get their food and drinks before you - they are likely to be more in demand.

(10) Remember that if you are asked to do anything other than be in the background - such as speak a line or drive a car - then you should be paid at a higher rate.