Casualty main image charlie fairhead
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Casualty set to return to BBC One after summer sports scheduling shuffle

We blame NHS cuts

BBC One viewers will have noticed there has been a Casualty-shaped hole in Saturday night schedules recently.

But don’t worry, the long-running medical drama is set to return to screens very soon.

Casualty has been MIA for the last month.

Battered and bruised David looks upset
Casualty has been AWOL over the summer (Credit: BBC)

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When is Casualty back on?

It will next air on Saturday August 13 at 8.35pm on BBC One.

This is actually the last episode in the show’s 37th series but, good news, series 38 will air from the following Saturday, August 20.

Casualty, the emergency department at Holby City hospital, was yet another victim of some brutal summer scheduling.

Along with other BBC staples it faced a schedule shake-up to make way for a summer of sport.

It was last seen on Saturday July 9 after airing intermittently throughout May and June.

Fans have been worried about the future of the show, which first aired in 1986, following sister-show Holby‘s axe earlier this year.

Holby was killed off in April after more than 23 years, leaving viewers devastated.

Holby City's Fletch turned up in Casualty last night (Credit: BBC)
Holby City’s Fletch made a guest appearance in Casualty (Credit: BBC)

They had a treat when fan favourite, Adrian ‘Fletch’ Fletcher, made a cameo appearance in Casualty the same week.

Casualty is a victim of brutal schedule changes

But actor Alex Walkinshaw who plays Fletch ruled out a permanent return to the ED.

In the closing moments of Casualty on Saturday April 2, Fletch was seen putting up posters about a memorial service for Holby surgeon, Jac Naylor.

Legendary character Charlie Fairhead offered Fletch his condolences saying: “I’m sorry, I know you were close.”

Fletch replied: “Well as close as she’d let anyone get. You know Jac, she didn’t do emotion. Even at the end.”

He added: “They broke the mold with that one.”

Charlie is Casualty’s longest serving member of staff (Credit: BBC)

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Charlie agreed, saying: “They certainly did. End of an era.”

Fletch was previously a regular character in Casualty before moving over to Holby.

Speaking to Digital Spy, Alex revealed that Fletch wouldn’t be making a full time return and explained why.

He said: “I think Fletch is too old to be running around an ED! He could slip and break a hip!”

Alex is also known for playing teacher Jez Diamond in Waterloo Road, which is being rebooted for the BBC.

But he also ruled out a return to the school, joking that he isn’t fit enough to play a PE teacher these days.

“I think I’d have to lose a considerable amount of weight if I was going to try and get back in Lycra. And the hair’s gone. Old Jez Diamond with the quiff,’ he said.

Casualty spring trailer 2022

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