We hear a lot about how anyone can go on The Walking Dead, at any time, but a new set anecdote proves just how true that is.

Speaking at a world premiere of the latest episode 'Say Yes', executive producer Greg Nicotero revealed a conversation he'd had with actor Michael Cudlitz... and the awkward aftermath.

"Michael was sitting in my office and he was saying, 'Man, I love working on this f**king show, it's the greatest job I've ever had!' and I'm like, 'Dude, you're great, you're not going anywhere!'" Nicotero revealed.

And he meant it. But shortly afterwards, Nicotero got some bad news about Cudlitz's character, Sgt. Abraham Ford.

Gene Page AMC

"Literally two hours later, Scott [Gimple, showrunner] said, 'Abraham dies!' and I was like, 'I just told him he was fine!'

"Michael didn't find out till two or three weeks later, so I was walking around with this horrible information."

Despite the unfortunate timing, Cudlitz's co-star Norman Reedus (Daryl) said the actor was a "stand-up guy" when it came to filming his demise at the hands of Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).

Jesus actor Tom Payne recently revealed that one Walking Dead actor - who he did not name - had it even worse than Cudlitz, only learning their character was being killed off when they read the script...

Ouch. Cudlitz, at least, has landed a new gig since leaving The Walking Dead - he'll play a sarcastic police captain in new buddy comedy series The Trustee.

The Walking Dead airs on Monday nights at 9pm on FOX in the UK.

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