Derek Thompson to leave BBC’s Casualty after playing Charlie Fairhead for 37 years
manchestereveningnews.co.ukDerek Thompson will leave the BBC drama Casualty after starring as Charlie Fairhead for 37 years. He is the who’s longest-serving cast member, having been in the cast since it launched in 1986.
Derek has appeared in nearly 900 episodes of the Saturday night drama. He will be filming until the autumn, with his final scenes as Charlie airing next year, the BBC has announced.
It revealed that there would be a ‘gripping exit storyline’ with nurse Charlie at the heart of the action. Speaking about his role, Derek said: “The time has come for me to hang up Charlie’s scrubs after the most wonderful 37 years. READ MORE: Good Morning Britain viewers baffled by guest's 'dramatic' appearance “Charlie Fairhead was inspired by a real nurse – Pete Salt.
Together with the writers and producers, I have tried to bring to Charlie the compassion, kindness, heroism and sound judgement that we all see and love in Pete and I want to say thanks to Pete and everyone else over that time who has inspired me in bringing this character to life.” Over the years Charlie has been the centre of countless major storylines which explored challenging and thought-provoking subjects.
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