Casualty viewers were heartbroken as Duffy confided in Charlie, after receiving the devastating diagnosis she was in the early stages of vascular dementia

Casualty viewers were left in tears on Saturday, as show favourite Duffy received the devastating news that she was in the early stages of vascular dementia.

Duffy, played by actress Cathy Shipton, grew worried and went to see a doctor late last year after she suffered a number of falls, and she was acting out of character, while her memory also began to deteriorate.

She kept her worries and potential diagnosis to herself, and continued to work, all the while awaiting a confirmed diagnosis.

On Saturday, Duffy visited her neurologist and was given the devastating news that she was likely in the early stages of vascular dementia.

Casualty fans were devastated as Duffy announced her dementia diagnosis (Image: BBC)

As Duffy reeled from the news, she finally confided in her ex-husband and long-time friend and colleague Charlie Fairhead,

The pair were together until December, when he learned Duffy had had a one-night stand with an ex named Bill two months earlier.

In the latest episode, Duffy decided to tell him the truth, but not as her former lover but instead as her line-manager.

Charlie was left stunned by Duffy’s diagnosis (Image: BBC)
Charlie was visibly stunned as she broke the news to him, after he asked her why she had been late to work that day.

Telling him about her appointment and what led to her visiting a neurologist, she opened up about her diagnosis and her recent symptoms.

She then insisted she was still fine to work at the hospital, before leaving it with Charlie whether he wanted to inform their colleagues and the Occupational Health team.

Casualty fans hoped for a Duffy and Charlie reunion (Image: BBC)
Heartbroken viewers took to Twitter admitting they were in tears over the scenes, as others begged Charlie to be there for Duffy.

One viewer said: “10 minutes in and I’m already crying. Duffy has vascular dementia.”

Another commented: “@cathship27 knocked that out of the park, and Derek too. Brilliant episode, albeit sad.”