Casualty fans have been left in shock by a trailer for the new series which appears to tease a blood-soaked end for long-serving character Charlie Fairhead.
Charlie, played by Derek Thompson, has starred in the BBC medical drama for nearly 40 years and is the only remaining original character from the first episode, broadcast in September 1986.
Derek has announced he is leaving the show and his character's exit is set to air in the New Year, with the new series set to return on 30 December - but it could be a harrowing goodbye for fans.The trailer begins and ends with flashback scenes to nurse Charlie arriving at the hospital as a teenager in tribute to his departure.
Scenes from the new series include Loose Women star Sunetra Sarker's return to the show as Doctor Zoe Hanna, as well as Stevie Nash being arrested for GBH and Nigel Harman's character Max Cristie becoming seriously ill in the ward.
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