Derek Thompson is to leave 'Casualty' after 37 years.
Derek Thompson to leave Casualty after 37 years
The 75-year-old star, who portrays emergency department nurse Charlie Fairhead, is the longest-serving cast member on the BBC medical drama, but his final scenes will air next year.
Derek said: "The time has come for me to hang up Charlie’s scrubs after the most wonderful 37 years.
"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."
Charlie has been the lynchpin of the hospital’s emergency department, with the character involved in a number of huge, hard-hitting storylines over the years.
They include Charlie being run over by an ambulance on his wedding day, a near-fatal cardiac arrest during a gang siege, and his loving relationship - and heart-breaking farewell - with his beloved, fellow nurse Duffy (Cathy Shipton).
Jon Sen, Executive Producer of 'Casualty' for BBC Studios, added: "Derek and I would often joke that, after such a long and dramatic career in the NHS, there was almost nothing that Charlie hadn’t seen.
"So it was an amazing surprise to me when Derek arrived with a brilliant idea for Charlie’s exit as part of an upcoming storyline, which was too good to pass up.
"We will all miss Derek enormously. Over nearly four decades, Derek has crafted an iconic character who is woven into the fabric of British TV history.
"We will miss his craft, his humour and his on-screen presence.
"We’re also going to miss a friend, so for the next few months we’re going to have a ball filming Charlie’s final chapter."