Casualty’s Derek Thompson is bringing Charlie Fairhead back to the medical drama and has already started filming scenes ahead of the show’s 40th anniversary in September.
20:43, 28 Apr 2026Updated 21:01, 28 Apr 2026
Casualty icon makes surprise return to BBC drama two years after retiring(Image: BBC)
Holby City General Hospital is reportedly welcoming back it’s much missed nurse Charlie Fairhead. This comes two years after actor Derek Thompson walked away from the show, and a mere months before Casualty celebrates it’s 40th birthday.
Thompson was last on the show in 2024, and the 78-year-old actor was the longest-serving cast member, with an impressive 38-year run. After featuring in the very first episode in 1986, he went on to star in nearly 900 episodes before leaving. At the time, he said: “The time has come for me to hang up Charlie’s scrubs.”
Sources have said the nurse, and the actor who plays him, are both coming back to Casualty – Thompson has already been filming scenes.
READ MORE: BBC Casualty fans reel ‘worst storyline’ as unexpected twist sparks furyREAD MORE: Casualty star admits ‘it was tough’ as they detail heartbreaking exit
Derek Thompson on Casualty(Image: PA)
Speaking to The Sun, the source said: “Fans will be delighted to see Charlie. “The character was never killed off and the door was left open for a return.” They added that while viewers will be happy to see him, Thompson’s return was likely to be an “appearance” instead of a permanent return comeback. The Mirror went to the BBC for comment.
In his final episode of Casualty, Charlie was stabbed by a patient. Thankfully, he pulled through and was able to leave the hospital to the sound of cheers from his colleagues. Or former colleagues, as the car he got in had the words “Just retired” across the back. Thompson said that the episodes that led to his exit were “some of the best episodes of my career”.
Since leaving the show, Thompson has been in Belfast drama Blue Lights as Robin Graham. He also appeared in a 2025 episode of Vera as Gordon Spencer.
Charlie Fairhead in 1986(Image: PA)
Charlie in 2024(Image: PA)
News of Thompson’s return comes just after another Casualty star left the show. Earlier in April, Jasmine Bayes, who had played Dr Kim Chang since the start of this year, left the show as her character was killed off. Over the BBC series, Kim had secretly been battling an eating disorder, which she kept hidden from her colleagues. Fellow trainee doctor Matty Linklaker (Arun Juliu) also found a journal Kim had kept, which detailed everything that Stevie Nash (Elinor Lawless) had ever said to her.
Speaking about her character’s heartbreaking storyline, actress Jasmine said in an Instagram video: “Filming this storyline for Kim was- it was tough.
“I was very aware of the importance of it. I knew that it’s definitely a story that had to be shared. I liked how it showed how someone can be really struggling internally and invisibly, and you just wouldn’t know about it, especially in a really, really busy workplace like the ED.
“Kim’s story, like so many others that have been represented on Casualty, is based on very much real-life stories, real-life struggles and battles.
“We have an amazing research team here at Casualty. The writers and medical advisors, consultants that we have on set with us every day to make sure that these stories are told in the most truthful and respectful way that these stories really do deserve.”
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