Gogglebox stars were left in tears on Friday night as they tuned into the latest episode of Casualty.
The popular show was broadcast at 21 on Channel 4 and saw the cast witness a gripping episode of the hospital show which featured a 20-car pile-up, explosions and a beloved character being stabbed.
When Gogglebox aired the final scene, emotions ran high as a seemingly innocent roadside breakdown escalated into chaos, with a young boy narrowly avoiding disaster and a thug setting off a massive explosion.
The heartbreaking scenes culminated in the shocking moment when beloved character Charlie was stabbed, leaving fans unsure of his fate.
With the future of fan favorite Charlie in jeopardy, ptars including Jenny Newby and mother-son duo Elaine and Seb, were unable to control their emotions and were seen wiping away tears.
Gogglebox stars were left in tears on Friday night as they watched the latest episode of Casualty
The popular show was broadcast at 9pm on Channel 4 and saw the cast witness a gripping episode of the hospital show which featured a 20-car pile-up, explosions and beloved character Charlie (pictured) being stabbed.
Jenny, visibly moved by the events, expressed her deep affection for Charlie and called for a double episode to process the emotional rollercoaster that mirrored the feelings of many viewers.
Fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts.
‘Love Jenny’s ‘Charlie please” wrote one follower.
“Did he stab Charlie?” asked another shocked viewer.
A third vocal user wrote: ‘F**k me I haven’t even watched Casualty since the 90s and I’m shocked they killed off the legend Charlie!!!!’
A fourth wrote: ‘I’ve been watching #Casualty for almost 15 years…15 years of growing up and watching Charlie Fairhead – I’m NOT ready AT ALL. Just let him live and be happy please :((‘ followed by a heartbreaking emoji.
However, others commented on how far Casualty had turned.
One user wrote: ‘Christ Casualty has gone way off’.
Another wrote: ‘How do people see this c**p so far out’.
Stars including Jenny Newby and mother-son duo Elaine and Seb (pictured), were unable to control their emotions and were seen wiping away tears
Jenny, visibly moved by the events, expressed her deep affection for Charlie and called for a double episode to process the emotional roller coaster
Fans took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their thoughts on the intense and shocking episode which saw Charlie end up stabbed and in hospital
A third frustrated viewer wrote: ‘So when the hell was the casualty for final destination 2?’
Reports suggest character Charlie Fairhead may leave the show after 38 years, with the official BBC Casualty X account on Saturday: ‘After 38 years and over 900 #Casualty episodes, it’s finally time to say goodbye to our Charlie. Don’t miss Charlie’s final chapter. Tonight 9.25pm on @BBCOne’.
The actor – played by Derek Thompson – is preparing to bow out as clinical nurse Charlie Fairhead after joining the BBC medical drama during its first series on September 6, 1986.
Talking to OKAY! Derek, now 75, told how the part had initially been described as a short-term job by show producers.
He said: ‘I never imagined I would be 38 years old. I originally signed up for three years, but it quickly became clear what a great character he was going to play.
‘Medicine and TV have both changed a lot since I started. But the basics are still there – the reception desk and the desk where people roll up still perform the same function as it did on my first day.’
Reports suggest character Charlie Fairhead could be leaving the show after 38 years, with the official BBC Casualty X account posting a cryptic message on Saturday
The actor prepares to bow out as clinical nurse Charlie Fairhead after joining the BBC medical drama during its first series on 6 September 1986
He is set to leave Casualty as its longest-serving star, but Derek Thompson admits his beloved character should have left the show decades ago
Refusing to give away spoilers from Saturday night’s episode, he added: ‘I don’t want to spoil it by saying whether he survives or not, but everything felt heightened when I was filming my final scenes.
‘It felt like one of those big emotional moments in your life, like the birth of a child or your wedding.
‘This last story really creates a realism that will poke people in the eye and say, ‘This is really painful for these people and yet they keep fighting’.
The actor confirmed his departure after episodes of the show were dramatically cut due to costs at the BBC.
However, he won’t be absent from screens for long as he has already been snapped up by another BBC drama and is set to appear in the coming weeks.
Derek Thompson will star in the second series of BBC hit drama Blue Lights, returning to his hometown of Belfast.
The new role is a massive shift for the actor, who has made limited appearances in shows outside of Casualty for the past 37 years.