FORMER Casualty star Sunetra Sarker has criticized the BBC for not giving Derek Thompson the recognition he deserved when he exited the series earlier this year.
Derek, who played senior nurse Charlie Fairhead for nearly four decades, was a mainstay of the popular medical drama since 1986.
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Sunetra made a special comeback in March to honor Charlie’s departure.
The actress is known for playing Dr. Zoe Hanna on the show from 2007 to 2016, with a brief return in 2018.
In a recent interview she reflected on the experience of returning to the set of Casualty one last time alongside her co-star, telling the Mirror: “Well, I always promised Derek if he ever left, I’d come…I’d be there in a heartbeat.”
Initially Sunetra thought her involvement would be minimal, possibly limited to a cameo in a farewell montage.
However, her role turned out to be more substantial, allowing her to be a part of Derek’s send-off in a meaningful way.
She admitted: “I didn’t think it would be Zoe coming back to be part of seeing him out.”
Despite her appreciation for the chance to be part of Derek’s departure, Sunetra voiced her disappointment with how the BBC handled his exit from the show.
“Y’know, I feel like he deserved a lot more, personally,” she said.
“I feel like I wish we could have had him on every channel talking about his departure.”
Derek also recently hinted that he may have been asked to leave the show against his will.
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During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, when Susanna Reid and Ed Balls asked him why he felt it was time to step down, he gave a cagey response.
He told them: “That’s all rather confused. It’s confused in that there is a truth, and the truth is garnished.”
Derek added: “I can’t really comment on that. I’m writing a memoir.”
In his final Casualty episodes, Charlie’s life was left hanging in the balance after a vicious stabbing.
He was rushed into theatre as his worried colleagues attempted to save his life.
While fans were left scared the iconic character would be killed off, they were stunned to learn he survived the ordeal.
After a miraculous recovery he took one last walk through the A&E department, before a drink with his colleagues.
He then departed Holby City in his yellow vintage Volkswagen Beetle.
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