He was the face we trusted. The voice of calm in a storm. The heart of Holby City Hospital. But now, after nearly 900 episodes and 37 unforgettable years, Charlie Fairhead is scrubbing out for the last time.

Derek Thompson, the actor behind the legendary nurse, has confirmed that he will leave Casualty in what the BBC is calling a “gripping exit storyline”. For fans who grew up watching Charlie run the A&E like clockwork, this news lands like a defibrillator shock to the chest.

“I think the time has come,” said Thompson. “To hang up Charlie’s scrubs after the most wonderful 37 years.” Inspired by real-life nurse Pete Salt, Charlie Fairhead was never just a character — he was a mirror of compassion, bravery, and quiet resilience that touched generations. Thompson credited Salt and all the medical professionals who influenced him: “I have tried to bring to Charlie the kindness and sound judgment that we all see and love in Pete.”

Since Casualty debuted in 1986, Charlie has been more than just a presence — he has been its moral compass. He stood at the center of some of the show’s most heartbreaking and explosive storylines: from being run over on his own wedding day, to surviving a gang siege, to saying goodbye to the love of his life, Duffy. Through every moment, Charlie was there, guiding patients and viewers alike through triumph and tragedy.

Executive Producer Jon Sen confirmed that Thompson himself had a hand in shaping Charlie’s exit. “It was an amazing surprise when Derek came in with a brilliant idea,” said Sen. “After such a long and dramatic career in the NHS, there was almost nothing that Charlie hadn’t seen — until now.”

Filming will continue through autumn, with Charlie’s final episodes airing in 2025. While plot details remain tightly under wraps, Sen promises it will be a powerful farewell. “Derek has crafted an iconic character who is woven into the fabric of British TV history. We will miss his craft, his humour, and most of all — his friendship.”

For fans, the news is bittersweet. Charlie has been a constant in a changing world. He witnessed every kind of human drama imaginable, anchoring the chaos with his gentle strength. In 2017, he was even the BBC’s top-paid drama actor — a testament to how valued he was both on and off-screen.

Now, with the countdown to his final episode underway, one question echoes across Holby’s fictional corridors and beyond: how will Casualty say goodbye to the man who was the show?

And more importantly — will Charlie survive his final chapter, or is this truly the end of the road?

Do you think Charlie’s farewell will be a quiet goodbye… or one last heroic rescue?