It comes as an insider told The Sun the cast have been braced for a short future on the show
CASUALTY has brought in an EastEnders icon for show stalwart Charlie Fairhead’s final episode.
Annette Badland, who played Aunt Babe on the BBC soap, has been cast as Charge Nurse Shirley in special flashback scenes set in the 1980s.
Actor Derek Thompson, 75, is leaving the medical drama after 38 years playing Charlie and this Saturday (March 16) the Beeb will air his final scenes.
The flashbacks will feature a younger Charlie showing up hungover to Shirley’s retirement party where she gives him some key advice.
Soon after, a nail bomb explosion fills the hospital with casualties and viewers will see Charlie responding to a challenging day at work while also revealing a hidden connection between him and doctor Stevie.
In the present day, Charlie’s life hangs in the balance after his stabbing by a patient trying to steal medical supplies.
Bosses confirmed the episode would not be shown early on BBC iPlayer in an effort to prevent spoilers leaking.
Casualty joined EastEnders in uploading their latest episodes at 6am back in December.
Charlie will slip in and out of consciousness as colleagues work to save his life, taking viewers to the 1980s flashbacks featuring Annette.
Former Casualty stars have returned to the medical drama in the build-up to Charlie’s exit.
Sunetra Sarker reprised her role as Dr Zoe Hanna while Ian Bleasdale has returned as fan-favourite paramedic Josh Griffiths.
Next Saturday’s (March 23) episode will be a double bill kicking off the show’s next set of episodes, titled ‘Breaking Point’.
It comes amid fears for the show’s future as cast and crew were reportedly told there would be just two more years of Casualty to come.
An insider said: “[Series 38] will end in July, then, all being well, the new episodes will continue to air from there.
“But the general word to everyone was ‘two more years then bye’ and ‘we’ve got two more years’.
“The contracts are rolling, so don’t have an expiry date on them, so you never know, things could be extended again.”
In response, the BBC said: “Casualty isn’t going anywhere.
“The latest recommission is simply part of the normal business cycle.”