Casualty newcomer Manpreet Bachu has revealed one of the more bizarre reactions to his casting announcement as some fans called for the show to bring back members of the Holby City cast instead of introducing new characters. His casting was recently announced and he only appeared on screens in the long running BBC medical in the past few weeks, although he had been filming for several months at that stage.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk about the reaction to joining the show he said: “It was unreal. Overall it was really, really positive and people were excited about it.” But I did look online and a few people were saying, ‘Why can’t you just bring Holby City characters back?’ This is why you don’t read the comments,” he chuckled.
Although he has been in several huge shows such as The Royals and Killing Eve, the 30-year-old actor confessed the Casualty schedule took a bit of getting used to. “I think I’ve finally got my head around it,” he pondered.

“It’s such a big machine. It runs like clockwork. It does take a bit of getting used to. It’s not like anything I’ve worked on and you’re shooting two episodes back-to-back.

“But it is such an iconic show. When you think of big British TV series you think EastEnders, Coronation Street, Casualty. “They’re the ones I think of. It’s such a legendary show and it is so part of the culture and it’s brilliant to be a part of it,” he smiled. Manpreet Bachu recently joined Casualty as Tariq Hussein (Image: BBC)

Manpreet’s character is the cousin of Rash Masum (played by Neet Mohan) who has been a Casualty staple for seven years now.

Even just from the inital episodes viewers have seen him in it is clear they are very differnet people and he seems to be rubbing Rash up the wrong way. However Manpreet feels that he is misunderstood.
“That’s not intentional. Tariq is 100% the opposite of Rash – that’s what I was told when I went in to read for him. So that’s just his way. He’s outgoing and gets on with people.

“He is there for Rash. He is trying to help him and support him the only way he knows. He is aware that Rash is on his own…so he’s trying to be there for him. Rash Masum and Tariq Hussein are cousins in Casualty (Image: BBC)

Asked if he was nervous joining as a relation of such a well established character, Manpreet said: ”

“No I wasn’t nervous because he is just there for Rash and I think because I have such a good relationship with Neet that will come through.

“When we read together when I was auditioning, it just felt like there was something there and we have become friends in real life.

“So our real life relationship kind of mirrors what people will see on screen and hopefully that will come through as the story develops,” he said.