EXCLUSIVE: Charles Venn has opened up about what is ahead for his Casualty character Jacob Masters.

Jacob Masters commits to raising his grandchild in Casualty (Image: BBC)

Casualty star Charles Venn has opened up about what is ahead for his character Jacob Masters now that he has committed to taking custody of his grandchild. The actor, who plays the hugely popular paramedic, spoke exclusively to Express.co.uk about the storyline which sees him become what is known as a kinship carer.

Kinship care is when a child lives full-time or most of the time with a relative or close family friend, usually because their parents are not able to care for them and in the UK, there are more than 180,000 children in this situation. Speaking about the storyline Charles acknowledged it will be “impactful”.

“It’s a whole new experience for him,” he admitted. “He doesn’t know this particular thing (babies) very well so it’s all impactful. It’s definitely relatable. I would imagine a number of families in a situation like that,” he said.

Hugely enthused about taking part in such an important storyline Charles is keen to point out that Jacob doesn’t have much experience with babies which makes this a much bigger undertaking. “It’s a huge, huge challenge and it definitely starts to hit a bit on Jacob as a parent you know, sleepless nights. You know what I mean?

“Little one is not feeling well, you got to attend to him. And you know he keeps crying and I (Jacob) don’t know what to do. Because you must keep in mind when Jacob became a father Blake was about 15 or 16 years old. “He didn’t know about him until then so it’s a whole new experience for him,” he points out.

Iain Dean is supporting Jacob Masters as he raises his grandchild (Image: BBC)

“I think he thinks you’ll figure it out as you go along. But it’s the whole juggling – juggling his actual job, those hours, which can vary from time to time.

“When you’re doing these shifts, and then trying to look after a little baby at home…a little baby needs the attention. It needs time with the carer, the guardian, whoever is (in charge of them).

“It can create instability with a child I mean, they can’t obviously articulate it, but they know if you are unsettled. They may cry more, be a bit more distressed, things of that nature. So it’s a huge, huge challenge (for Jacob).”

One person who seems determined to help him through the transition is his good friend and fellow paramedic Iain Dean (Michael Stevenson). In scenes reminiscent of Three Men and a Baby (minus one man) they coo over the child delighted that he is safe with Jacob. This is something Charles can see more of happening down the line.

Jacob Masters was a a nurse before he became a paramedic in Casualty (Image: BBC)

“Ian is obviously a person that is so very close to him,” Charles ruminates. “Their friendship and closeness were forged since the coercive control storyline and, the trust that Jacob instilled in him. So, with someone like Ian, that’s a beautiful thing. That’s a gorgeous thing and it just shows the power of friendship and support.”

While he looks far younger than his 50 years, Charles himself is a grandfather at the moment. Reflecting on this he admitted that this had also affected how he approached the storyline.

“Just thought of my grandchildren in a situation like that. What do you do in a situation where you understand that your children are now unfortunately unable to care for their kid who has now been abandoned and could end up in a home whilst you’re able-bodied?

“What do you do with that?” He questioned. “Leave it because it’s gonna affect and impact your life so much and change everything? Or do you kind of in a way, feel a sense of being dutifully bound and you end up sort of taking on that role?” he pondered.