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10 Casualty legends who could still come back

Photo credit: Digitalspy - BBC
Photo credit: Digitalspy - BBC

From Digital Spy

Comebacks are always hotly anticipated among fans, and with Casualty firing on all cylinders, we've been thinking about those characters who could, and really should, come back to the fold.

Granted, some of these are probably more plausible than others, but here are 10 faces we'd love to see back in the hustle and bustle of the ED...

1. Nick Jordan

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Top of everyone's comeback wish list has to be the one and only Nicky J. He was sensibly not killed off when actor Michael French decided to leave the show in 2012 (returning briefly in 2013), so the ED door is wide open for Jordan to reappear whenever he so wishes.

Jordan decided to swap Holby for the States five years ago after the death of his girlfriend Yvonne and his ardent fans have been missing him ever since. But given that his name does still pop up in conversation from time to time (he's in Michigan, last we heard!), there have certainly been crazier ideas.

However, with EastEnders viewers also longing for Michael to reprise his role as David Wicks too, who knows where he will be popping up next. The man is in high demand.

2. Jay Faldren

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Flirty, frivolous funnyman Jay actually proved himself to be a very competent nurse throughout the years he spent in the ED – not to mention a pillar of support to his on-off girlfriend Ruth Winters. Despite the fact he has been gone for years now, Jay could still slot back into the Holby hospital in a heartbeat and we are really hoping that he does.

Jay is probably best remembered for his popular relationship with Ruth, which ultimately saw him leave the hospital to start anew with her. Therefore, as much as we loved Jay, we hope he's joined by Ruth if he was to ever return, you know how we feel about ruined happy endings. Which brings us nicely onto the next one…

3. Ruth Winters

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Cold by name and also by nature, Ruth thawed during her years on the show – earning herself a place as one of the most memorable Casualty characters of all time. Poor Ruth went through ordeal after ordeal during her four years in the Holby departments, but it was her bipolar story that really tugged at our heartstrings.

The hard-hitting plot saw Ruth get sectioned after she tried to perform a solo operation on a patient in the on-call room, but she eventually fought her way back to recovery, later leaving the ED on a positive note with Jay.

Given that Georgia Taylor – who played her – has since reprised her role as Toyah Battersby in Corrie, a Casualty comeback is probably unlikely at the moment. But you know, never say never and all of that…

4. Zoe Hanna

Photo credit: Alistair Heap - BBC
Photo credit: Alistair Heap - BBC

Yes, she may have already been back once last year, but who is to say Zoe can't come back again? Sunetra Sarker appeared on our screens for nine years as the fun, kind and chaotic doctor – and there has been a massive Zoe-shaped hole in the ED ever since she departed.

After initially leaving in 2016, Zoe briefly returned for her husband Max Walker's exit story back in January 2018 – with the couple reuniting and heading off to America. So, if Zoe was to make another comeback (and we're praying she does!), let's hope we'll get a double whammy return when she brings Max with her.

5. Bex Reynolds

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Long before the likes of Louise and Noel, bubbly Bex was the face of the ED on the reception desk: tactless, unprofessional and always up for a good gossip. And in the wake of recent events, we reckon the team could do with a splash of her humour right now.

Back in 2005, Bex was involved in one of Casualty's most harrowing storylines to date when she was raped by her friend's brother Pete and later became the prime suspect when he died. Bex's final scenes saw her escape abroad to avoid being charged for murder.

6. Maggie Coldwell

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

If Charlie is the dad of the ED, then maverick Maggie was the mum (sorry, Duffy) – and there's always a revolving door for characters like her. As it happens, Maggie actually had a long-running crush on Charlie so things could get very juicy if she was to make her way back.

Despite leaving in 2008, Maggie has made a couple of brief appearances since – returning for Kelsey Phillips' leaving party in 2009 and a standalone episode involving Zoe Hanna in 2015.

7. Tess Bateman

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Much like Maggie, we could see Tess slotting back into the ED anytime – and the sooner the better, really. Tess endured rather a lot during her time in Casualty, including being impaled on a spike (for basically an entire episode), her son's bipolar, an affair with Fletch, and the subsequent pregnancy and abortion.

With all this in mind, no one could blame Tess for jumping at an opportunity to leave Holby in 2015 – after 12 years of turmoil. But with many of her friends still navigating the busy department, we'd love to see Tess pop back again.

8. Dixie

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Appearing in the show from 2006 to 2016, Dixie was Casualty's longest-serving female paramedic, and let's face it, the team just hasn't been the same without her.

Probably most fondly remembered for her popular partnership with Jeff (RIP), Dixie's straight-talking, no-nonsense attitude made her one of the best paramedics the ED has ever had through its doors.

9. Ash

Photo credit: Richard Ansett - BBC
Photo credit: Richard Ansett - BBC

Fans who have been watching the Casualty repeats on Drama will know that Ash played a pretty pivotal role in the department a few years ago. In fact, Ash actually has a rich history with the show, having first joined as a nurse in 1990 – before returning as a consultant 27 years later in 2013.

But despite being a doctor by trade in his latter years, Ash was always a nurse by nature and made himself a favourite amongst fans for his calm and pragmatic approach to all the trials and tribulations of the hospital. Ash left the ED in 2014, but Patrick Robinson – who played him – has recently admitted that it wasn't his choice to leave.

"I was absolutely gutted," he said. " I finished Strictly at Christmas and basically the Casualty producers said they weren't going to renew my contract that summer. They just got rid of me and didn't even give me a proper exit storyline. People still ask me what happened to Ash, one minute he was there and the next he wasn't."

10. Sam Strachan

Photo credit: BBC
Photo credit: BBC

Okay, we're cheating a little with this one as Sam historically belongs to Holby City, but he's made a few welcome appearances in Casualty over the last few years – thanks to his relationship with Connie Beauchamp. Originally, it was the pair's daughter Grace that kept bringing Sam back to the ED, but a story last year saw him appointed as the hospital's new medical director.

Sam's brutal approach to his new role didn't do him many favours among his colleagues and he eventually resigned a few months later. However, when it was confirmed Sam would be bowing out of the role, Tom Chambers – who plays him – promised he'd be back at some point. And we are still waiting...


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