CASUALTY actress Kirsty Mitchell has teased there will be emotional scenes on the show as a legendary character bows out after 37 years.
The star who plays Faith on the programme confirmed that they have been gearing up to Derek Thompson's exit as Charlie Fairhead.
He has played the mainstay at Holby for 37 years but will be quitting the show for good in the coming months.
Kirsty confessed that the cast have been left tearful working on his exit storyline which will take centre stage when the long-running drama returns to screens later this year.
The actress previously opened up on the filming the difficult scenes with Express.co.uk.
She told the publication: "We’re shooting those episodes now and it’s emotional isn’t it?
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"It’s an emotional thing for the character. He is Casualty."
Kirsty also revealed her own love for his character on the show and confirmed that she would miss him from both a fan viewpoint as well as a colleague.
The actress added: "He’s what me and my nana used to sit down and watch you know. She loved him.
"We’re all very fond of him."
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Details surrounding the character's exit are being kept under wraps for now.
It comes amid a turbulent time for the programme.
Fans were left devastated when the number of episodes per year were slashed by the BBC amid budget cuts and funding issues.
The ramifications are currently being felt with the once-weekly drama currently off-screens.
A TV insider said: “Casualty peaked in the Noughties when it was on our screens on a Saturday night almost all year round, and that’s what many people have come to expect.
“The only year that saw a shorter series was in 2021 because of the pandemic, when all TV productions were severely affected.
“Now it seems the cost of living crisis could prove just as devastating.”
Similarly, acclaimed daytime soap opera Doctors was sensationally axed from the Beeb after 23 years on screen and will come to a permanent end next year.
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