Casualty boss reveals 'surprise' TWIST for Charlie Fairhead's emotional exit

Casualty icon Derek Thompson as Charlie Fairhead
Casualty icon Derek Thompson as Charlie Fairhead. (Image credit: BBC)

Casualty fans were devastated to hear that show icon, Derek Thompson, will be stepping down from his role as Charlie Fairhead after 37 years in the role. 

But there is good news for viewers because it has been announced that there is a surprise twist heading for Charlie's exit storyline, that is set to air next year. 

Over the years, Charlie has been the lynchpin of the hospital’s emergency department and at the centre of countless major storylines. But if there is one person who knows Charlie inside out, it is actor Derek, who has played the role since Casualty first landed on our screens back in 1986. 

Casualty legend Charlie Fairhead looking perplexed.

Casualty legend Charlie Fairhead. (Image credit: BBC)

And while the finer details of Charlie's exit storyline, which will be filmed in the autumn, are understandably being kept tightly under wraps, Jon Sen, Executive Producer of Casualty for BBC Studios has revealed that in a surprise twist, it was actually Derek who came up with the leaving storyline for Charlie.

He said: "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."

Charlie with a distressed Duffy in Casualty.

Charlie with his lost love, Duffy. (Image credit: BBC)

Jon went on to say how much Derek would be missed at the show, having become such a legendary part of the medical drama over the last 37 years... "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."

It's a dark day for Charlie Fairhead in Casualty.

Charlie Fairhead has always been at the centre of the drama in Casualty.  (Image credit: BBC)

Despite being the one to care for others for almost four decades, Charlie has also seen a fair few of his own struggles including when he was run over by an ambulance on his wedding day and a near-fatal cardiac arrest during a gang siege. 

But the most memorable part of Charlie is his loving relationship — and heart-breaking farewell — with his beloved fellow nurse Duffy (Cathy Shipton). 

Keep an eye on our Casualty page to find out all the news about Charlie's exit over the coming months as well as all the latest spoilers and exclusive interviews.

Casualty is on (most!) Saturdays on BBC One. The latest episodes are available on BBC iPlayer.

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Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.