An EastEnders icon turned Ted Lasso

star is joining the cast of Casualty for

special scenes celebrating Derek

Thompson’s exit as Charlie Fairhead.

The BBC’s long-running medical drama has been on the air since 1986 – with 75-year-old Derek playing Charlie since the very first episode. This year, however, the actor will bow out after 38 years of service – and the show writers have big plans to make the exit of his character.

To boost scenes, 73-year-old actress Annette Badland will be joining the cast in order to play Charge Nurse Shirley in flashback scenes set in the 1980s. Annette is known to millions as Babe Smith on EastEnders – a role she played from 2014 until 2017. Millions more will know Annette for playing Mrs Fitzgibbons on time travel period drama Outlander from 2014 until 2015 and for playing Mae the Landlady on Apple TV+’s smash hit show Ted Lasso from 2020 until 2023.

Derek is exiting Casualty this weekend – with his last ever scenes as Charlie set to air on Saturday night. Annette will join his character in flashback to her nurse character’s retirement party. Charlie will be seen attending the party with a hangover while Annette’s nurse Shirley will give him some important advice.