Casualty, one of the BBC’s longest-running hospital dramas, has given us some of TV’s most beloved characters and hard-hitting storylines.

Earlier this year, Casualty star Derek Thompson left the series after 38 years as Charlie Fairhead. The actor, 76, stopped by Good Morning Britain on Tuesday to chat about his new role in detective drama Blue Lights, hinting there had been more to his departure than meets the eye.

And in May, the soap bagged the BAFTA TV Award for best soap, beating EastEnders, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks.

Meanwhile, Michael Stevenson, who portrays popular paramedic Iain Dean, is about to have viewers on the edge of their seats as he dives into treacherous, rising waters to rescue a dad trapped in a submerged car, as the Storm Damage mini-series continues. Back in the ER department, it’s becoming overrun with patients suffering the repercussions of the terrible storm…

Casualty’s Milo Clarke, Diane Botcher and Michael Stevenson on set

Forty three year old Michael is married to Lauren Crace, 38, best known for her role as Danielle Jones in Albert Square. Danielle met a tragic end in 2009 when she was hit by Janine Butcher’s car on the same night her mother Ronnie Mitchell finally acknowledged her. Lauren went on to star alongside Michael in Casualty back in 2021, playing Chrissie Danes.

Michael and Lauren married in the Scilly Isles in May 2016 and have an 11 year old son, Jack, and twin girls Isla and Emmy together, 10.

Offscreen, Michael revealed he suffered from PTSD following the traumatic birth of his twins and his portrayal of a paramedic grappling with depression.

The actor opened up about his personal struggles, revealing: “I probably had mild PTSD after my twins were born. That was a pretty traumatic time. They thought they had malrotation, which can be really dangerous in the stomach.”

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EastEnders actress Lauren Crace with their twin girls

This came before he announced an extended break from his role following the conclusion of Iain’s long-running mental health storyline. The star, who has been a fixture on the soap since 2012, made a triumphant return to our screens in 2021 after a year and a half hiatus.

In a chat with Digital Spy, he shared: “I knew how long I wanted off and I really wanted to spend some time with my family. The run-up to the exit story was really intense and the hours we work are phenomenal.”

He added: “I knew I’d spent a long time away from my family and I wanted to be at home