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CASUALTY will say goodbye to one of its longest running characters in an emotional episode which will air tonight. But why is actress Cathy Shipton leaving the medical drama?
By Hayley Anderson
Loose Women: Casualty's Cathy Shipton on her final episode
Lisa “Duffy” Duffin (played by Cathy Shipton) has been in Casualty since the very first episode which was shown in 1986. However, last year Duffy was diagnosed with dementia on the BBC One medical drama and in tonight’s (Saturday, February 1), things will go from bad to worse for the beloved nurse. So why is Duffy leaving the series?
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Actress Shipton has been playing Duffy over a number of stints for the past three decades.
She has had an ongoing love story with Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson) who has also been in the show since it first began in the 80s and the pair got married in 2017.
However, in 2019 Shipton announced she would be leaving the show for good.
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Why is Duffy leaving Casualty? (Image: BBC)
Duffy was diagnosed with dementia last year to hers and Charlie's shock. (Image: BBC)
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Why is Duffy leaving Casualty?
Shipton left the series for a while and made her return in 2016.
But the actress said she knew she didn’t want to stay long-term in Casualty.
This, partnered with the heartbreaking storyline where Duffy would get dementia, meant Shipton’s exit from the show has been in the works for the past couple of years.
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In tonight's (Saturday, February 1) episode, Duffy goes missing in the snow and Charlie is desperate to find her. (Image: BBC)
Duffy and Charlie got married on Casualty in 2017. (Image: BBC)
Speaking to Digital Spy, Shipton said: “There was a movement between the show to take on long lead stories - stories that last longer than one episode or a month.
“These stories were going to play out over a long period of time, like Iain’s depression story.
“They [the show’s producers] approached me and asked what I thought.
“I hadn’t said this to them but I already knew when I went back four years ago that I wouldn’t want to stay forever.”
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She continued: “When I first read these scenes I was very affected by the script.
“When we filmed I was totally in the moment, so I didn’t cry but I had a frog in my throat and was completely goosebumped.
“I remember saying, this is going to be such a hard watch.
“There won’t be a dry eye, I can tell you.”
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In tonight’s episode, Duffy will go missing in the snow and Charlie is frantically looking for her.
According to Shipton, Duffy is going to believe she is back I 1986 and on her way to work in the snow.
There has been no confirmation whether or not Duffy will die in tonight’s episode but it will be the actress’ last in the series.
Talking about the upcoming episode to the Metro, Shipton said: “That particular episode really explores what it is to have dementia and to be in the reality of somebody who is going through this. I’m really glad about that.”
Casualty continues tonight, Saturday, February 1, at 9.15pm on BBC One.
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