“They are some of the best episodes of my career.”

It’s the end of an era on Casualty this weekend, as Charlie Fairhead will leave the show after 38 years.

The exact nature of Charlie’s exit is being kept a closely-guarded secret for now, but his life was left hanging in the balance in last Saturday’s episode.

Here, Derek Thompson – who plays Charlie – reflects on his three decades in the role, discusses his final episodes and reveals what’s next for him.

You joined the show back in 1986, what first attracted you to the role of Charlie?

“It was actually the people sitting in the room when I first went to talk to them about the show. I read the script and I thought it was bang on the money. It said what its aims and ambitions were. It’s the kind of role people want to do in theatre, that gets through to people.

“But reading the scripts, I thought it was better than anything I could have done in the theatre. That’s an unusual thing. I met the producer and director of the first episode. We started chatting and I just thought, ‘I want to be working with these people’. I said, ‘This was great, I want this job’.

“They had narrowed the role down to about three people they had seen. They had seen me in a play with a mate of mine and they put both our names on the list, so I was up against a very good friend. I didn’t know that at the time but they told me after I’d got the job.”

Alistair Heap/BBC

Charlie has been at the centre of countless storylines. What has been your favourite and why?

“The one I felt most personally attached to as Charlie was the story of Duffy’s death through vascular dementia back in February 2020.

“Another was the story was from series 34 in May 2020 of a young man whose son was in care, and he was being taken away by his mother to the States so decides to kidnap his son. After an accident, he ends up in A&E and decides to take the ED staff hostage ending in a big standoff.

“It was played really beautifully. There was a long, tense sense that managed to bring all the regular characters together. Every regular actor thought they were in the spotlight like a leading actor would feel. It felt like we were in a theatre play that was being filmed.

“It took Charlie back to the place of when he lost Duffy, when Charlie thought he had nothing to lose, and was trying to help the man. He could end up dead, or find his way through to a better life. It’s a simple choice – you sign your own death warrant, or you do something to help your kid.”

BBC

What have been your most memorable moments over the past 38 years?

“It has to be the first episode. Charlie was in his little yellow Beetle coming over Bristol suspension bridge and winding through the streets of Bristol, ending up at the hospital. Charlie gets out of the car in his bomber jacket, hair all over the place, it was like Noddy Goes to Hospital! He looks up at the building, raises a cigarette to his lips and goes, ‘Let’s do this!’.

“It gave you the notion that these people have a good sense of humour about themselves. It was the first time that everyone could see what was possible with the show. It’s an image that has stayed with me throughout my time on Casualty.”

What did you make of the story for your final episodes?

“When I first read the script, I didn’t have to think about it at all, because it’s just great storytelling. The way Michelle Lipton wrote these episodes comes across like she’s written eight plays, taken from so many points of view. I don’t think there’s another writer who could have done it. I think my final two episodes are some of the best episodes of my career.”

BBC

Casualty has had some brilliant guest stars and featured some amazing actors such as Kate Winslet, Orlando Bloom and Ray Winstone, who have all gone on to have hugely successful careers. Who have been your favourites to work with?

“The wonderful Bernard Cribbins was one of my heroes. I used to love the stuff he did, especially when improvising. I remember how strong he was in the part. We had moments when we were standing around on set and just laughing together.”

Why do you think Charlie resonates so much with viewers over the years?

“Charlie is everyone. Charlie is a real person. He simply takes you into the show and plays the moral conscience of the audience. He’s a representative of the audience. “

Can you tell us a bit about the role in the BBC’s second series of Blue Lights?

“I was thrilled and excited when I got the invitation to take part in series two. I was born in Belfast and was equally excited to travel over to work on the show and pleased to report, having read the scripts, that I’m sure the fans will love the second series every bit as much as the first.

“I play a retired police officer, Robin Graham whose past and conscience catches up with him when trainee solicitor Jen Robinson (played by Hannah McClean) investigates a decades-old case that has dangerous implications for the present.”