Charlie's ANGEL

ELINOR LAWLESS on Stevie's key role in the nurse's departure storyline

Elinor Lawless has mixed emotions as she joins TV Times for an exclusive video interview about her Casualty colleague and friend Derek Thompson howing out as Holby ED stalwart Charlie Fairhead.

'It's an honour to be involved in his final chapter, but even now I'm going to cry!' says the actor, whose fan-favourite character, consultant Stevie Nash, will be instrumental in the much-loved nurse's fate following last week's stabbing incident.

'I remember watching Casualty as a kid on Saturday nights and, even then, understanding that Derek as Charlie was at the very centre of the show. So, to be part of Derek's exit storyline is emotional, because you're not just saying goodbye to Charlie, but also a really dear friend.

Here, Elinor, 41, gives us her take on this historic chapter...

Last week's episode left fans on a cliffhanger as Charlie was attacked by a drug dealer. Can you share any teasers about how things develop?

I can't give too much away, but it is tense as there's a huge question mark over what's going to happen to him.

There will potentially be a lot of people screaming at the telly...