Derek Thompson, Casualty’s longest-serving cast member and at one time the BBC’s highest-paid actor, is leaving the show after 37 years.

Thompson, 75, has played nurse Charlie Fairhead in the BBC One series since its launch in 1986.

He will film his final scenes this autumn, to be broadcast in the New Year.

When the BBC first published details of star pay in 2017, Thompson was - to the surprise of many - top of the actors’ list.

<a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/0/bbc-salaries-list-surprising-high-low-earners/">His salary of £350,000-399,999</a> placed him ahead of Peter Capaldi, then playing Doctor Who, and any cast member from EastEnders.

Fans loved the character, lynchpin of the fictional hospital’s accident and emergency department. He appeared in almost 900 episodes.

Derek Thompson will film his final scenes this autumn to be broadcast in the New Year{ai:summary}<p>Derek Thompson, who played nurse Charlie Fairhead in BBC's Casualty for 37 years, is leaving the show. Thompson was previously the BBC's highest-paid actor with a salary of £350,000-£399,999, and his final scenes will be filmed in autumn to air in the New Year. Thompson's character, who appeared in almost 900 episodes, was beloved by fans as the lynchpin of the hospital's accident and emergency department. #culture</p>

Casualty actor among BBC’s top earners retires after 37 years

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