Casualty has landed the services of a familiar face from EastEnders
for Charlie Fairhead’s final episode on Saturday (March 16).
Annette Badland, who previously played Aunt Babe in Albert Square,
will star as Charge Nurse Shirley in special flashback scenes set in the 1980s. Derek Thompson, who has played Charlie for a staggering 38 years, leaves BBC medical drama.
The flashbacks will show a young Charlie attending Shirley’s retirement party with a hangover, where she gives him some important advice. The explosion of a bomb at the hospital, meanwhile, proves testing for Charlie and reveals a secret link between him and Dr Stevie Nash.
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Back in the present day, Charlie’s life is in danger after he was stabbed by a patient who was attempting to steal Holby General’s medical supplies. But to avoid any spoilers, the Beeb has decided against releasing the episode early on iPlayer, according to the Sun.
Casualty started uploading their latest episodes at 6am back in December, following EastEnders ‘ lead, but will avoid doing so this weekend. As Charlie fights for his life, viewers will be taken back to the 1980s through flashbacks featuring Annette.
Some former stars of Casualty have also returned for Charlie’s farewell. Sunetra Sarker has returned as Dr Zoe Hanna, while Ian Bleasdale is back as Josh Griffiths, the popular paramedic.
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The following Saturday (March 23) sees a double episode titled ‘Breaking Point’ introduce the next set of storylines for the show. Rumours have swirled about the show’s future as cast and crew were allegedly informed that only two more years of Casualty would be produced.
A source revealed to the same publication: “[Series 38] will end in July, then, all being well, the new episodes will continue to air from there. But the general word to everyone was ‘two more years then bye’ and ‘we’ve got two more years’. The contracts are rolling, so don’t have an expiry date on them, so you never know, things could be extended again.”
Earlier this month it was revealed Derek has now joined the cast Blue Lights. The actor will play retired police officer Robin Graham in the new series of the crime drama – something he is thrilled about.
“I loved the first series of Blue Lights and thought, as did the majority of my friends and colleagues, that it was the best new TV series of last year,” he said. “I was thrilled and excited when I got the invitation to take part in series two.”
