Derek Thompson, known for his role as Charlie Fairhead, has been on the show for 38 years, shocking fans. This milestone highlights the rarity of such long-term commitments in the entertainment industry.
Derek Thompson had been in the show for 38 years this weekend was truly shocking. Not because his character, Charlie Fairhead , diced with death before driving off at the end. It wasn’t even the fact that. It’s that Thompson had been there the whole time. That’s 38 years in the same job! William Roache has played’s Ken Barlow for even longer – he appeared in 1960’s episode one. Just imagine? I can’t.
When I signed my contract to start teaching at my current school last August, I totted up just how many times I had signed a full-time employee contract and realised this was my 17th. That’s 17 times someone has been foolhardy enough to hire me and 17 times I have turned up for my new role, with fresh haircut, shiny shoes and – literally, these days – freshly-stocked pencil case.
Personally, I wouldn’t have it any other way. The now disappearing idea of spending an entire working lifetime in one job has not only never appealed, but always made me vaguely suspicious of those lifers. A couple of my friends have now managed two decades in the same role and I’m both fascinated and bewildered by such longevity.
To be blunt, it gave me the heebie-jeebies. It felt oppressive, not enlightened; restrictive, not enabling; and more than a little sad. But maybe that’s just me. Perhaps I’m wrong, but whatever pathway you choose, I know Hillary Clinton was right: “Don’t confuse having a career with having a life.”Rebecca Reid
Derek Thompson BBC Show Charlie Fairhead Long-Term Commitment Entertainment Industry
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Casualty's Charlie star Derek Thompson's life from health battle to co-star wifeDerek Thompson is leaving Casualty after playing Charlie Fairhead for 38 years. Find out more about the BBC star's life off-screen from his secret health battle to short-lived music career
Read more »
Casualty’s Derek Thompson’s only interview as Charlie's life hangs by a threadDerek Thompson teases whether Charlie Fairhead will survive the brutal knife attack, how he met his wife on Casualty and the heart-stopping moment Kate Winslet starred in the hospital drama
Read more »
Why is Derek Thompson leaving Casualty as Charlie Fairhead?After nearly two decades, Casualty ’s longest-running star, Derek Thompson, is bidding an emotional farewell to the hit medical drama and his role as nurse Charlie Fairhead
Read more »
Casualty bosses 'hopeful' as Barney Walsh tipped to replace Derek ThompsonCasualty star Derek Thompson, who played Charlie Fairhead, has left the BBC medical drama after 35 years - and it's been claimed bosses are hoping Barney Walsh will fill the void
Read more »
Casualty's Charlie Fairhead's real-life from actor's new role to health battleDerek Thompson will say goodbye to his Casualty character Charlie Fairhead after 38 years
Read more »
BBC Casualty bosses hope Barney Walsh will be Charlie's replacementBosses hope Barney Walsh will be the replacement for Charlie Fairhead's character on Casualty after reports suggested actor Derek Thompson's salary was too high.
Read more »