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THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL

JUDGE JUDY Bailiff Petri Byrd Previews His Appearance on B&B

For 25 years, Petri Byrd stood stoically by the side of Judge Judith Sheindlin as the bailiff on her TV courtroom show, JUDGE JUDY. He’d seen and heard it all over the course of the syndicated program’s run, so we’re pretty sure Byrd was prepared for the shenanigans he encountered during his next TV appearance: On Fri., August 5, he’ll make a guest appearance on THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL as the officiant presiding over Steffy and Finn’s wedding. And if we know a thing or two about soap opera weddings — which we do! — they hardly ever go as planned!

Byrd chatted with TV Insider about his upcoming B&B appearance, and while he didn’t spill any tea about what will happen in the episode itself, he did have plenty to say about the day he spent working at the soap.

Initially, Byrd wasn’t sure how he landed the soap gig since it was offered to him outright. But he later found out that he’d left quite an impression on B&B’s VP of Communications, Eva Basler, upon meeting her at the Daytime Emmy Awards a few years back. “[She] thought highly enough of me to recommend me for this part,” he explained. “I was floored but also ready to work, especially as we’d recently stopped production on JUDGE JUDY after 25 years.”

B&B Finn Steffy Wedding
Carter won’t be performing this B&B wedding ceremony!Howard Wise/jpistudios.com

Playing a wedding officiant on TV wasn’t too difficult for Byrd, who already had some real-life experience doing exactly that! “Last October, I married a couple who are friends of my wife and mine,” Byrd shared. “I have to say, I felt very comfortable in this role.”

Working at B&B “was so easy and wonderful,” said Byrd, thanks in part to hitting it off with soap veteran John McCook (Eric). “[He] invited me to hang out in his dressing room in between scenes so I wouldn’t have to walk all the way back to my room,” said Byrd. “He regaled me with stories about the different locales that the show has shot in over the years. I had a great time talking to him.”

Byrd had such a wonderful time at B&B, in fact, that he’ll have his prop Bible ready should the soap call him back in to officiate for the next wedding. “I’d like to be their resident pastor!” he exclaimed. “They made me feel welcome.” Byrd also learned that even soap stars have fangirl moments. “Every now and then, someone would come up to me and say, ‘I love you on JUDGE JUDY. Can we take a picture together?’”

Tune in on Fri., August 5, to see Byrd in action — and find out if the ceremony goes smoothly. Because on soaps, that’s rarely ever the case!

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