Charlie Fairhead has been on BBC show Casualty for nearly four decades but his time is nearly up – and it could be a bloody end for the legendary character

Casualty fans have been given a first look at Charlie Fairhead’s final moments as TV bosses tease a bloody end for the iconic character.

The BBC earlier this year confirmed that Derek Thompson – who is programme’s longest-serving cast member – will be leaving the soap after nearly four decades of playing the much-loved nurse. He is the only remaining original character from the first episode of the show, which was broadcasted back in September 1986.

His days at Holby ED will come to an end in the New Year but a trailer has offered hints at the trauma ahead. The minute-long clip ends on a cliffhanger after some heart-racing scenes including Stevie Nash being arrested for GBH and Max Cristie, played by Nigel Harman, falling very unwell in the ward. Sunetra Sarker will also be returning as Doctor Zoe Hanna.

Did the Casualty trailer reveal cast legend’s Charlie’s death? (Image: BBC)
But Casualty fans will be left reeling as the preview ends in a worrying way – Charlie’s hospital badge splattered in blood. There was no clues to why but we must now wait until the show returns. The likes of Elinor Lawless and Michael Stevenson have already told us Charlie’s exit will be “gut-wrenching”.

Whilst Derek has taken short breaks over the years, the exit will mark the end of an era for fans. Speaking about his departure, he said: “The time has come for me to hang up Charlie’s scrubs after the most wonderful 37 years. Charlie Fairhead was inspired by a real nurse – Pete Salt.”

Casualty is returning to our screens on December 30 (Image: BBC/Alistair Heap)
And paying tribute to Pete, as well as the show’s writers and producers, he added: “Together with the writers and producers, I have tried to bring to Charlie the compassion, kindness, heroism and sound judgement that we all see and love in Pete and I want to say thanks to Pete and everyone else over that time who has inspired me in bringing this character to life.”

Executive Producer, Jon Sen, has promised Charlie’s final scenes will be “brilliant.” 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,” he said.

“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.”