Casualty star Derek Thompson insists beloved nurse Charlie was supposed to leave DECADES ago – as longest serving cast-member prepares to bow out after 38-years on the ward

He’s set to leave Casualty as its longest-serving star, but Derek Thompson admits his beloved character should have left the show decades ago.

The actor is preparing to quit as clinical nurse Charlie Fairhead after joining the BBC medical drama during its first series on September 6, 1986.

Now 75, Thompson – who appeared in British gangster film The Long Good Friday and Channel 4 soap Brookside before stepping into the role – says it was originally intended by show producers as a short-term job.

He told OK!: ‘I never thought I would stay for 38 years. I initially signed on for three years, but it quickly became clear what a great character he was to play.

‘Medicine and television have both changed a lot since I started. But the basics are still there: the reception area and the desk where people sit still fulfill the same function as on my first day.’

The actor is preparing to quit as clinical nurse Charlie Fairhead after joining the BBC medical drama during its first series on September 6, 1986.

Charlie’s life is currently hanging in the balance after he was stabbed by a crazed patient, part of a new storyline that Thompson hopes will draw attention to the increasing threat of violence facing NHS workers.

And he admits it remains to be seen whether the popular character will survive, adding: “I don’t want to spoil it by saying whether or not he survives, but everything felt amplified as I watched my final scenes filmed.

‘It felt like one of those big emotional moments in your life, like the birth of a child or your wedding.

‘This final story really creates a realism that will poke people in the eye and say, ‘This is really painful for these people, and yet they continue to struggle.’

The actor confirmed his departure after the programme’s episodes were dramatically shortened due to costs at the BBC.

However, he won’t be away from the screens for long as he has already been picked up by another BBC drama and will be released in the coming weeks.

Thompson will appear in the second series of BBC hit drama Blue Lights, returning to his hometown of Belfast.

The new role marks a huge change for the actor, who has made only limited appearances in other shows outside of Casualty over the past 37 years.

Thompson has already landed his first acting gig after leaving his role in Casualty

The actor returns to his hometown of Belfast to take on the role of retired police officer Robin Graham (pictured in character), who is confronted with his dark past.

In Blue Lights, Thompson will take on the role of retired police officer Robin Graham for five episodes this season.

As trainee attorney Jen Robinson (Hannah McClean) investigates a decades-old case that will continue to wreak havoc to this day, the retiree is confronted with his dark past.

Thompson admitted that he quickly applied for the job after his departure from the long-running medical show.

He said: “I loved the first series of Blue Lights and, like most of my friends and colleagues, thought it was the best new TV series of last year.

‘I was thrilled and excited (star jumps in the living room) when I got the invitation to take part in series two.

‘I was born in Belfast and was just as excited (more starbursts) to travel to the show and I’m happy to report, after reading the scripts, that I’m sure the fans will love the second one just as much series will hold as the first.

‘I’m really looking forward to it myself, because I’m one of them.’

Production company Two Cities added: ‘We are delighted that Derek Thompson will be joining us again in his native Belfast, it is an honor to have him as part of the Blue Lights family.’

Thompson’s Casualty departure was confirmed in May last year after the actor revealed that ‘the time (had) come’ after almost four decades on the soap.

Discussing his departure, he said: ‘The time has come for me to hang up Charlie’s scrubs after the best of 37 years.

‘Charlie Fairhead was inspired by a real nurse: Pete Salt.

“Together with the writers and producers, I have tried to convey to Charlie the compassion, kindness, heroism and good judgment that we all see and appreciate in Pete, and I would like to thank Pete and everyone else who has inspired me during that time . to bring this character to life.”