(Ian Bleasdale) Josh Griffiths

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Casualty star Josh quits
EXCLUSIVE: PARAMEDIC HERO JOSH QUITS
By Nicola Methven Tv Editor 17/08/2007

Josh Griffiths (BBC) Paramedic Josh Griffiths (BBC)
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He's been on duty for 18 years - so it's time Casualty paramedic Josh Griffiths had a break.

Actor Ian Bleasdale, 55, who has been in the BBC1 medical drama since 1989, is to quit the show to try his hand at other roles.

But series producer Oliver Kent said the door would be left "firmly open" for him to return in the future.
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Josh and head nurse Charlie Fairhead - played by Derek Thompson since the show started 21 years ago - are the longest serving stars.

Their touching farewell scenes on screen are guaranteed to have fans reaching for their hankies.

One show source said: "Josh has had such terrible luck in his life. His family died in a house fire, his second marriage broke down and then he was stabbed at Christmas. But finally he's going to get some happiness in his life.

"He goes on holiday, falls in love and ends up getting married. All the team are pleased he's finally getting some good luck.

"It is sad to see Ian go, but everyone wishes him well and there's always the possibility he might return at some point in the future."

Casualty returns early next month. Josh bows out at the end of the year. In moving scenes best mate Charlie hugs him and says: "Prove to me that it can work out. Be happy mate." The new series has been revamped with an "edgier" feel.

I'm glad he leaves and doesn't die and he leave happy :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

I did think we would see a love triangle between him, Charlie and Maggie at one point

that is so good that he gets his happy ending! it is so rare on tv to get a happy endingbut joshe deserves it after all the terrible things that have happened to him.
sad to see Ian Bleasdale go though.

Bit more from BBC entertainment:


Casualty paramedic Josh quitting

Bleasdale has been at the centre of several explosive storylines
Casualty actor Ian Bleasdale who plays paramedic Josh Griffiths is to leave the BBC show after 18 years.

Bleasdale is one of the longest-serving cast members, alongside Derek Thompson who plays his friend Charlie.

The actor will bow out at the end of this year, but the BBC said the door would be left open for Bleasdale, 55, if he wished to return.

The popular medical drama began in 1986 and has since spawned spin-off series including Holby City and Holby Blue.

Bleasdale's character has suffered his fair share of heartache since he joined the drama . He lost his family in a house fire, was left for dead after being been stabbed, has been falsely accused of abuse and manslaughter and divorced wife Colette.

Historical drama

The new series of Casualty begins in September on BBC One. Storylines include an explosion which leaves the team struggling to cope.

The show won in the best continuing drama category at this year's Bafta TV awards, beating opposition from soaps Emmerdale, EastEnders and Coronation Street.

Following last year's Casualty 1906, a new three-part historical medical series titled Casualty 1907 will show life in a hospital in London's East End 100 years ago.

Alfie Allen, brother of pop star Lily and son of actor Keith, has landed a role in the spin-off as a gang member.

The BBC One programme, to be filmed in Liverpool, will be shown in the autumn.

Casualty has confirmed the return of another familiar face as part of Charlie Fairhead's final episode.

Fan-favourite paramedic Josh Griffiths, played by Ian Bleasdale, will be back at Holby to bid his long-running co-star a fond farewell on Saturday, March 16, according to the BBC.

The show will air Charlie's swansong over two unmissable episodes, with the first airing this Saturday (March 9). The emotional scenes will see Charlie vow to prove there is good in the world, with disastrous consequences.

The first of the two episodes will see the nurse find himself on the wrong side of troubled patient Kyle, who ends up stabbing Charlie after a situation in the pharmacy.

Charlie's final episode ? aptly titled 'Charlie' ? will air the aftermath of this, as the hospital staff desperately try to save him.

As well as Josh's anticipated return, the special episodes will also see Sunetra Sarker reprise her role as Charlie's old friend Zoe Hanna.

Bleasdale played the role of Josh between 1989 and 2007, with the paramedic departing after finding love with a woman he met on holiday. His character was last seen on TV screens back in 2016, when Josh reappeared for the show's 30th anniversary special.