DOCTOR'S orders

CATHERINE SHIPTON on popping up in Letherbridge and life after Casualty

- ALISON SLADE

DOCTORS

MON-THU, 2PM, BBC1 SOAP

Over four years after saying farewell to her iconic Casualty character Lisa 'Duffy' Duffin, Catherine Shipton is back on our screens this week in Doctors.

The 67-year-old star took time out for an exclusive interview with TV Times to talk about her guest appearance in the West Midlands set BBC1 daytime soap, walking away from Holby City Hospital and why she wouldn't say no to doing another continuing drama...

You appear in the fictional town of Lether-bridge in this Thursday's episode of Doctors, Shock Therapy. Can you share some insights about your character?

It's my third Doctors role [Catherine also had guest turns in 2004 and 2008]. My character is Melissa Horner, and she's a very straight-talking, northern woman and former union negotiator.

She's also the mother of Sophie Austin's character, Sandra.

Funnily enough, Sophie played my daughter-in-law in an episode of Casualty in 2016, and Duffy had to break into an ambulance and deliver her baby! Sandra's partner Kenny [played by Sophie's real-life fiancé, actor and Strictly 2024 star Shayne Ward] has been having memory-loss problems. Things have reached crisis point as he left their little girl in a park, and Sandra has chucked him out. Melissa pricks his conscience about going to the doctors, and works at bringing them together.

Doctors will come to an end after 24 years in December. What are your views on the show’s axing?

It’s a real shame and a shock, and I think, sadly, an ill-advised decision. Holby City has gone, Doctors has gone… Young directors, writers, actors; they all cut their teeth on these kinds of shows. You are aware, particularly with the crew, that people buy homes and move their families there.