Duffy has been gracing our screens for 33 years on Casualty, but announced it was her time to leave the show last year – and there wasn’t a dry eye after this evening’s episode
Casualty fans have been left devastated by tonight’s heart wrenching episode as Lisa ‘Duffy’ Duffin finally loses her battle with dementia.
The popular character, who had spent her entire life helping others as a nurse, suffered a devastating bleed on the brain as her beloved partner Charlie looked on from her bedside.
The heartbroken husband, played by Derek Thompson, then accused her colleagues of not doing enough to save her life.
The painful moment reached its height when hospital staff stood in line to honour the nurse as her body was wheeled past.
She had graced the wards of Holby City and transformed patient’s lives for 33 years.
The melancholy episode cast viewers back throughout the years as Charlie reminisced on his favourite moments with the much-loved character, played by the talented Cathy Shipton.
Cathy Shipton had starred as Duffy in Casualty since the show’s pilot
Cathy says she played dementia so well, people think she has it in real life (Image: Alistair Heap)
The scenes reduced many viewers to tears, as Casualty fans from around the country lamented on Duffy’s impact upon the show and Charlie’s struggles as he comes to terms with being alone.
“Farewell Lisa “Duffy” Duffin, you will be missed enormously. Bravo to Cathy Shipton for her excellent portrayal as Duffy over the years, you’re a true legend & the show won’t be the same without you. Now excuse me, I’m off to put all of my tissues in the bin,” one viewer gushed.
In her most recent story line, Lisa Duffin finds out she has vascular dementia
“Mother of Jesus that episode needs all the awards. That ending. Good god. Whoever wrote this one needs an NTA or a bafta or something – it was that epic, that painful,” another viewer exclaimed.
The episode also encouraged fans to speak about their own struggles with demtentia.
The pair wed in 2017 (Image: TV Grab)
Lisa Duffin’s dementia deteoriated rapidly (Image: BBC)
“ #Casualty is breaking my heart, dementia is an awful, cruel disease that takes your loved one away from you long before they pass away. Had to watch my wonderful auntie Nellie suffer with it for years, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy.”
Over the years Cathy had briefly left Casualty four times, but it always pulled her back. “In a way, what draws the audience back, is similar to what draws me back. It’s the show’s values,” the 62-year-old actress admitted.
Some of her biggest storylines have explored important topics including sexual assault, HIV, suicide, and mental health, with her now tackling a dementia storyline.
Actress Cathy had announced her final departure from the show last year, admitting she was ‘honoured’ to have played the character.
Reflecting on the filming of the final episode Cathy told Digital Spy, “I remember saying, this is going to be such a hard watch. There won’t be a dry eye, I can tell you.”
In the powerful ultimate tribute, Duffy had remained a nurse and spent her final moments in the wards that she best known and loved. What’s more she lives on in the memories of Charlie, as the love of his life for three decades.
