Charlie Fairhead
Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson) is a fictional character from the BBC British medical drama Casualty. One of the longest-serving characters of the show, spanning over 3 decades.
| Charlie Fairhead | |
|---|---|
| Casualty character | |
Derek Thompson as Charlie Fairhead | |
| First appearance | "Gas" 6 September 1986 |
| Last appearance | "Charlie" 16 March 2024 |
| Created by | Jeremy Brock Paul Unwin |
| Portrayed by |
|
| Spin-off(s) | Holby City (1999, 2005, 2010, 2012) HolbyBlue (2007) |
| Duration | 1986–2024 |
| In-universe information | |
| Occupation |
|
| Family | Elizabeth Fairhead (stepmother) |
| Spouse | Baz Hayes (1998–2001) Lisa Duffin (2017–2020) |
| Children | Louis Fairhead (Son) |
| Relatives | Megan Wark (granddaughter) |
| Nationality | British English |
Thompson took a nine-month break from Series 18, returning on the 1st January 2005 in Series 19. After a further four months off-screen, he returned in the series 20 Christmas crossover with Holby City, airing on the 24th December 2005.
Thompson regularly took breaks every year and by May 2023 he confirmed he had chosen to leave his role as Charlie, after 38 years on-screen. Thompson filmed his final scenes in 2023, which were broadcast on 16 March 2024.
Thompson made four appearances as Charlie in Casualty's sister show, Holby City, including the February 2010 episode when Charlie has a heart attack; his final appearance in Holby City was in October 2012 when he interviewed Chantelle Lane (Lauren Drummond) for a full-time nursing position. Thompson also made an appearance in a Holby City spin-off police drama, HolbyBlue in its first episode, May 2007.