Casualty legend breaks silence on quitting show after 38 years – and hints at major cover-up
A CASUALTY legend has broken his silence following his exit – and hinted at a cover-up behind his departure.
Derek Thompson shocked fans last year when it was announced he’d be leaving the soap.
The 76-year-old bowed out of the fictional BBC A&E department after a whopping 38 years as consultant Charlie Fairhead.
Fans watched his final scenes play out over two special episodes earlier this year.
But Derek has now hinted it may not have been his decision to leave the show.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain, Susanna Reid and Ed Balls asked him why he felt it was time to step down – and he gave a cagey response.
He told them: “That’s all rather confused. It’s confused in that there is a truth, and the truth is garnished.”
Derek added: “I can’t really comment on that. I’m writing a memoir.”
In his final Casualty episodes, Charlie’s life was left hanging in the balance after a vicious stabbing.
He was rushed into theatre as his worried colleagues attempted to save his life.
While fans were left scared the iconic character would be killed off, they were stunned to learn he survived the ordeal.
After a miraculous recovery he took one last walk through the A&E department, before a drink with his colleagues.
He then departed Holby City in his yellow vintage Volkswagen Beetle.
Meanwhile, The Sun recently revealed how crew working on Casualty have been told there’s just two more series left.
Due to “super-inflation in drama production” and a string of cost-cutting measures, staff say they have been told their contract renewals will be the last.
