First look as Casualty legend returns for 40th anniversary episodes – two years after quitting 38 year run on show

CASUALTY fans can have a sneak peek at a fan favourite ahead of their special comeback for the soap’s 40th anniversary. Viewers are in for a treat with back to back episodes of the medical drama set to air on Saturday. Familiar faces will be making a return for Casualty’s 40th anniversary on Saturday Credit: BBC Including Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson) and Ethan Hardy (George Rainsford) Credit: PA One character many will have their eyes out for is nurse Charlie Fairhead, who became a legend on the BBC soap. Actor Derek Thompson played the nurse for 38 years and bowed out of the series in 2024. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! Derek, 78, was the longest-serving cast member after featuring in the first episode in 1986 and went on to appear in more than 900 episodes. Derek Thompson appeared in more than 900 episodes of Casualty over 38 years Credit: PA The 40th anniversary special airs on Saturday Credit: PA A first look at images from the set of the anniversary episodes show nurse Charlie in the well-known hospital, but looking very different. The character is not in his nurse’s scrubs, but instead in civilian clothes alongside another beloved character making a return for the 40th anniverary. The first look pics show Charlie with his hand on Dr Ethan Hardy’s (George Rainsford) shoulder. While both men are not wearing medical scrubs, Ethan does have a stethoscope around his neck an apparent injury to his forehead. Casualty is the world’s longest-running medical drama and the upcoming double-header episode will not only be full of happy returns, but plenty of high stakes action. Most read in TV The anniversary show will see the emergency department team pushed to their limits in a tense and a major rescue operation. Derek Thompson said in May 2023 about his decision to leave: “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. “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.” Comment now