Fans of the show were over the moon that Connie was back

Casualty fan favourite Connie Beauchamp recently underwent life-saving surgery after suffering with an aggressive form of cancer.

In heartbreaking scenes earlier this year, the hospital's clinical lead suffered heart failure before going under the knife to have her cardiac tumour removed.

But during Saturday night's episode, fans were delighted as Connie (Amanda Mealing) made her return to the ED - and she was more feisty than ever.

Strutting into the building in a black trouser suit and heels, the doctor returned to take her place on the panel for Doctor Ethan Hardy's consultancy interview.

And Ethan (George Rainsford) looked just as shocked as the rest of us at Connie's dramatic entrance, considering it’s the first time the pair have met face-to-face since she kissed him in London before her operation.

And it's fair to say fans of the BBC show were over the moon that Connie was back - if not a little surprised - with many rushing to Twitter to share their delight.

'Loved Connie being back with sass! #casualty', said one excited viewer.

In agreement, another fan wrote: 'Its absolutely horrible seeing Connie in that much pain. I love how she still has the sass thou #casualty'.

While a third added: 'CASUALTY #connie is my perfect lady #strong #glam #selfassured'.

And there was plenty more where that came from...

Meanwhile, despite the odds not looking good for Ethan with Connie unexpectedly joining the panel, the doctor rose to the occasion and ended up successfully earning his role as a consultant.

And it looks like he's stepping into some big shoes next week, as Ethan takes charge of the whole ED as lead clinician in Connie's absence - with the official BBC Twitter account sharing a sneak peak of the upcoming episode.

And we can't WAIT to see what happens!

Casualty star Amanda Mealing reveals Connie is devastated by her daughter’s sudden disappearance…

As families go, Connie Beauchamp, her ex Sam Strachan and their daughter Grace have had a hellish time of it. Recently they reached an understanding about the pressures of Connie’s job as clinical lead at Holby ED.

After months of domestic difficulty Connie (Amanda Mealing) is looking forward to a more harmonious home front when Casualty returns for a new series this week. All that’s suddenly swept away, however, when Sam (Tom Chambers) and Grace (Emily Carey) mysteriously disappear from Connie’s hectic life!

Amanda Mealing told What's on TV what's in store for Connie...

Why does Connie believe a new era of domestic happiness is dawning for her, Grace and Sam? "The last time we saw Connie she was attempting to make Grace her focus. Grace had been living with Sam, and Connie wanted her home with her again. But when Connie had another day from hell in the ED Grace very maturely said she was going to stay with her dad. She took the burden off Connie and the parental role had been swapped a little bit."

This week’s shocking news must really pull the rug from under Connie? "When the new series of Casualty starts this week Connie believes it’s the beginning of something that can really work for them and is looking forward to sharing time with Grace, who now understands what Connie’s job entails. So when Connie calls around to Sam and Grace and no one answers the door she can’t work out where they are – and then she discovers they’ve gone!"

How does she react? "She takes it very badly. For Sam to just take Grace… it’s really devastating for Connie. There’s a lot of worry and stress and it starts to make her quite ill…"

This week marks the beginning of a new series of Casualty. Will it be as highly charged as the 30th Anniversary year, or is the tone different? "There’s a slightly different tone, but everyone still has high energy! There are stunts and things like that. We start off with a two-part special that takes us somewhere new."

What does this mean for Connie? "Connie stays and holds the fort while quite a lot of the team are in France. It's interesting to go outside the main location of the hospital. We don’t often do it and it’s always intriguing to see how characters behave and how the audience responds to it."

Casualty screens on BBC1 at 8.45pm, Saturday 19 August

Connie and Sam get intimate in a store cupboard in Casualty – will there be repercussions?

Last week, ex-lovers and ED co-workers Connie Beauchamp and Sam Strachan called an uneasy truce in Casualty.

This week, war turns to love when the pair give into their mutual attraction and end up in a passionate embrace in a hospital store cupboard! But what will it mean for their daughter, Grace?

Tom Chambers, who plays Sam Strachan, reveals what’s in store for Connie and Sam…

Let’s talk about Connie and Sam in a store cupboard. What can you reveal? "I was joking to Amanda Mealing, who plays Connie, that it’s about time Grace had a brother or sister! But nothing like that is happening… There’s an amazing chemistry between Connie and Sam. You never know when she comes into a room whether she’s going to be hot or cold with Sam. He’s learned to roll his eyes, take it, or do things his own way – they’ve amazing character chemistry!"

How would you describe the tension between them? "Sexual! They’re both intelligent, highly skilled medics. So it’s like a Wimbledon rally! There’s nothing better than seeing two really skilled players battle it out. The tension is primal! Sam and Connie have always fancied each other and also hated each other. They’re excellent sparring partners!"

They’re also parents to Grace. Given their history could they ever be a family unit? "I think they’re in love with the idea of it, occasionally. But it’s never calm! You’ll never see them on the sofa watching a film. Even when they try to put on a front, like they did when it was Grace’s birthday, they end up at each other’s throats."

Is this because they’re both so competitive? "Yes, it’s too much. They’re both career driven too, and when you’re that way half of you is always married to your job. Sam always feels he gives more of himself to Grace. He’s a committed father. Connie struggles with it more and at times can’t actually be there. And children need your time…"

Has Amanda mentioned how she sees it? "She’s said it's great that Sam’s the only one who can shoot Connie down. No one else can stand up to her. They have a child together so that puts them on more even terms."

Amanda told us you’re really attuned to her working methods, especially when she changes words… Were you aware of that? "Oh really? That’s nice! When I started at Holby City over 10 years ago and she would do that it never threw me. I knew she was changing the emphasis to make Connie even more entertaining for people. She’s never doing it to put anyone out, it’s all about making scenes work even better. I appreciate that. Amanda and I work well together. We like to keep it fresh and spontaneous and can change things that feel more natural to us."

So, what exactly happens in this store cupboard? "Sam and Connie are arguing this week about work when Sam opens a cupboard door and basically throws Connie into it, so they can continue arguing privately! She tries to leave, and he tries to stop her – and it grows into a very passionate reunion, with Sam flinging Connie against the medical shelves!"

Watch Casualty on BBC1 this Saturday at 9pm to find out whether Connie and Sam’s fling results in regrets or a reunion!

Amanda Mealing reveals Connie Beauchamp is determined to tear strips off Sam Strachan and regain control of the Casualty ED. But is something else bubbling?

There are fireworks in the ED this Saturday on Casualty (BBC1, 9pm) when clinical lead Connie Beauchamp (Amanda Mealing) declares war on medical director Sam Strachan (Tom Chambers).

As MD, Sam has the ED consultants – including Connie – re-interviewing for their jobs, with someone ultimately facing redundancy. It doesn’t help that Connie and Sam have a complicated personal history and a daughter, Grace, together. This week, Connie decides enough is enough, and decides to strike back. It’s a clash of the titans... but who will emerge victorious?

This week Sam holds job interviews with the ED consultants. How does Connie feel about this? "As demanding as Connie can be on the ED staff they are her team and she’s going to back them to the end. Connie decides she’s going to fight for them – and she loves a fight!"

Should we be worried for Sam? "She will fight Sam in every possible way. Connie’s a wily old cat! She also knows Sam really well so she knows how to play him. Connie’s going to use every possible weapon against him. It’ll be fun! It’s good fun to play as well. I do enjoy Connie."

How would you describe Connie and Sam’s complicated relationship? "It’s war of the roses. We’ll see some good scrapping coming up. It’s lovely playing opposite Tom Chambers because we know each other so well. Tom knows I may change the words once I get into a scene. Tom listens and reacts, and I’ll react to him, so you get a more natural flow. It makes for a great relationship both on and off screen."

Does Connie resent Sam’s presence in her life, both in the ED and with their daughter Grace? "Yes she does. But it works both ways. There is an attraction, but also an animosity between them. Sam knows Connie really well and knows how to press all her buttons. He does have a certain power because he’s Grace’s father and now he has power in the ED, too, because he’s the medical director. So that, for Connie, means it is all up for grabs and all on for battle!"

In the spring trailer there’s a moment where it looks like they are about to kiss. What can you tell us? "There’s still a very primal attraction between the two of them. There’s also sexual power there. Connie’s very attracted to power, intelligence and good looks - and Sam has all of those things. The animal attraction is very much there..."

Actress Amanda Mealing spoke to What's on TV about how Casualty is finishing its 30th anniversary year with an amazing one-take episode

Casualty star Amanda Mealing is excited about the ambitious final episode in the current series – an episode which is filmed in one continuous take.

Amanda, who plays ice cold consultant Connie Beauchamp, spoke to What's on TV about Casualty's big year: "It's amazing... 30th anniversary, NTAs (win), Bafta nomination, you know, and it's still going strong. We've just shot the end of series episode all in one shot, it's amazing – even for a regular episode it's good, the fact it's done in one shot is amazing."

It's the first time an entire episode of a British drama has been filmed this way.

How does it play out? "Connie does her regular thing, you know, she's grumpy... The idea is to exemplify everyone's characters in their regular day. It's supposed to be, in some ways, a love letter to the NHS. You know, how dramatic and amazing it can be."

Casualty won best drama at the National Television Awards in January, but lost to Emmerdale in the best continuing drama category at the Baftas on Sunday.

Amanda Mealing believes the tight bond the cast and crew of Casualty has contributes to its enduring success, capped on Wednesday with a National TV Award

Amanda Mealing, star of BBC1's Casualty, says the cast and crew of the medical drama are a really close unit.

Amanda plays icy senior consultant Connie Beauchamp in Casualty, which was named Best Drama at the 2017 National TV Awards.

She told What's on TV on the red carpet: "We're a very close unit because I think most of us are working away from home and also on a long-running drama or project you need to rely on your fellow cast members. You know, you won't always have the energy to see yourself through the day so we're very close. We look after each other."

Asked about her the online grief her on-screen rival Jaye Griffiths (Elle Gardner) gets from some fans, Amanda said: "Connie has very very very loyal fans, yes, they are really quote verbose when it comes to Elle and her conflict with Connie. But Jaye and I are really good friends. It's usually the way, best of enemies on screen are best of friends off screen. But she takes it in really good heart."

She hinted the recent softer side of Connie witnessed during daughter Grace's health problems won't last. "There's always strife in her life and there's always a fight somewhere, so we're bringing back, let's just say the female dog Connie!"

The Casualty cast talk about filming the 30th anniversary special which featured a dramatic helicopter disaster in Holby Hospital

Casualty fans were treated to an action-packed treat as the much-loved medical show celebrated its 30th anniversary with an adrenaline-fuelled feature-length episode on Saturday night.

Viewers were left on the edge of their seats when much-loved consultant Connie Beauchamp and her daughter Grace careered off the road in a terrifying car crash at the end of the last series in July.

Somehow the pair survived the fiery crash, yet worse was to follow as the emergency helicopter which carried a severely injured Grace to A&E smashed into the hospital in a spectacular crash, leaving several people dead.

“It took over 100 people to create the helicopter stunt,” said series producer Erika Hossington. “We always do things for real on Casualty so it was a real challenge. The only CGI on the stunt is the painting out of the wires holding the helicopter up and the rotor blades, everything else we did for real.

"We had a helicopter suspended off three cranes to be able to land it like we did!”

Connie was already at the hospital when the helicopter with her daughter aboard crashed to earth and the episode finished with the heartbreaking news that Grace may not make a full recovery…

Producers have revealed the events of this week’s special episode will trigger Casualty storylines that will feature in the show for the rest of the series, perhaps further, so audiences will still hold hope that Grace’s injuries won’t be life-changing.

“Filming this episode was tough,” said Amanda Mealing, who plays Grace. “I was covered in sticky blood and I spent a week literally crawling along the bottom of the ravine. I got cuts everywhere!

"It was quite tough psychologically as well. I spent a week getting really upset for 12 hours a day, it dissipates over time, but when you’re doing that 12 hours a day, five days a week, it’s kinda rough – I was exhausted and depressed by the end!”

Filming the crash itself was also a bit tricky…

“I did all the driving sequences,” explained Amanda. “I’m a little bit of a speed freak so I was like ‘I’ll do that!’ I did all the chase scenes and then in the studio we had the car up on a gimble with a green screen and tipped it. It’s fantastic what they can do. But you got a sense of what that must be like – I never want to experience that for real!”

After leaving viewers waiting to find out what happened to Connie and Grace for nearly a month, Amanda was taken aback by the public reaction to the storyline in recent weeks.

“It was a literal cliffhanger!” she explained. “I was so surprised by the reaction to that final scene. I was blown away by the defence and love for those two characters. People were really upset at the thought of them being in trouble. I think – I think – they’ll be happy with what happened. Hopefully they’ll feel it was worth four weeks of pain!”

As news of the disaster reacheed the emergency department, a party to celebrate much-loved nurse Charlie Fairhead’s 30 years of service was interrupted and old favourites Josh Griffiths and Duffy, rolled back the years by pitching in to help.

“It was amazing to be back,” said Cathy Shipton, who plays Duffy. “Charlie, Josh and I felt like the three amigos. It was like a Doctor Who special with everyone coming back, but it was a real joy. For us it was just like any other day, because we’ve kept in touch, but it was great to see the characters back together!”

Meanwhile, Ian Bleasdale, who plays Josh, has revealed that he started watching the show again regularly once he realised he was going to be in it again!

“I watched it now and again since I left,” he explained. “I didn’t for ages because I knew it wouldn’t be as good without me! Once I knew I coming back I started watching again, it was great to be back on set and see everyone.”

One person he was particularly looking forward to seeing was Derek Thompson, who plays Charlie Fairhead, and the show’s longest-serving actor said he never thought he’d be celebrating Casualty’s 30th anniversary when he joined the show.

“When I first signed up back in 1986 I was told I’d have to commit for two series – possibly three!” said Derek. “I never thought I’d still be here by series 30!”

Yet, rather than resting on their laurels, producers are already planning for the future and have big plans for the new series.

“We want to keep the momentum going from this special episode,” said series producer Erika Hossington. “We are going to do something different to end the series, something the show has never done – but more on that at a later date!”

The new series of Casualty continues next Saturday on BBC1

Casualty star Amanda Mealing has confessed she would be scared to come face to face with her character Connie Beauchamp.

The 46-year-old actress has played the formidable senior consultant for over 10 years now, first in BBC medical drama Holby City and now in sister show Casualty – but insists she is nothing like her in real life.

Amanda Mealing plays Connie Beauchamp in Casualty (Ian West/PA)

Amanda told the TV Times: “I’d be scared of her. She’s never stuck for words, whereas I’m always stuck for words and I trip over furniture. I’m nothing like her.

“I’d be intimidated if she came over for dinner. But if I had to have her around, I’d also invite Holby’s Elliot Hope (Paul Bradley) because he doesn’t bite when she snaps.

“I’d also have my good friend Paul O’Grady because I’d like to see those two have a spat and I don’t know who would win. There would be blood!”

In the last couple of months Casualty’s Connie Beauchamp has been arrested, charged with murder and banged up.

Amanda Mealing talks to What’s on TV about Connie’s recent rollercoaster life, and reveals more surprises are in store for Holby City ED’s clinical lead when she’s released from prison this week!

Last week viewers saw Connie charged with the murder of her friend, Alfred. Will we see her behind bars this week?

“Yes, and it’s not her natural environment at all! Ollie Kent, Casualty’s executive producer, told me he’s waited years to see Connie in the clink! I had a lot of fun filming those scenes. I don’t think it would take Connie long to run the prison.”

How is she holding up?

“Being charged with Alfred’s death is the final straw for her. The terminally ill surgeon was a hero of hers, and they had a very special relationship. His death has really broken Connie. This really is the winter of her discontent!”

In this week’s action-packed episode Connie’s proved innocent and released. What can you reveal?

“It’s all down to Charlie. He works out Rita’s taken the packet of tablets that would prove Connie didn’t help Alfred end his life. He puts the moral thumbscrews on Rita and, Charlie, being Charlie, takes the pills to the police saying they turned up anonymously on his desk.”

What does Connie do when she’s released?

“Charlie’s there for her when she comes out of prison and she badgers him to take her straight back to Holby ED to pick up some things! Even though she’s been suspended, pending an inquiry, Connie insists she’s not shying away.”

We’ve heard there’s a dramatic twist at the hospital?

“Yes! While all this is happening Charlie gets a call from his son Louis’ girlfriend in Bucharest saying Louis is in trouble because he owes money. Because Charlie’s the only person who’s been there for her, Connie says she’s going with him to Romania!”

Can you reveal what’s next for Connie and Charlie?

“The future is under wraps, even from me, but Casualty are taking Charlie and Connie on a strange, tangent journey in Romania! We’re going to see a very different Connie…”

Next Saturday Casualty viewers will see Holby ED’s clinical lead Connie Beauchamp arrested for murder.

Talking to What’s on TV, Amanda Mealing reveals the fascinating background to Connie's relationship with dying surgeon Alfred Maxwell and how she’s been deeply affected by the euthanasia storyline with respected screen and TV actor, Michael Byrne…

Last week Casualty left us with a cliffhanger. We saw Connie steal medication from the hospital and visit Alfred. What can you reveal about the circumstances leading to her arrest?

“This week Alfred’s brought into the ED almost dead and Connie refuses to allow any of her staff to treat him. She also tells Lofty to throw away Alfred’s blood tests! Soon afterwards Alfred dies. Rita is very suspicious when she hears Connie wants Alfred’s bloods binned, so she gets them tested to see if there are any unusual drugs in his system!”

Is there a hint of maliciousness to nurse manager Rita’s behaviour, given their history?

“There is initially, I think. Rita really does think this is her opportunity to get rid of Connie!”

Do we know yet whether Connie’s given in to Alfred’s dying euthanasia wish?

“There’s an undeniable ambiguity as to whether Connie has gone through with helping Alfred or not. But we will find out. Either way, at the end of the last episode his argument for assisted suicide had definitely won her over. But [at this point] it’s still questionable whether she did or not.”

Connie is normally so sure of herself. What’s behind her indecision on whether or not to assist Alfred?

“Connie’s usually very clinical about things and very good at deciding what needs to be done medically. But because she has such a bond with Alfred, her judgement’s been clouded so she’s not as clear-cut.”

Their friendship has developed quickly – is there more to it for Connie?

“Shortly after Connie’s daughter Grace left, Alfred turned up at the hospital. This was around the same time as the anniversary of her father’s death, when we discover the reasons behind her work at the Emergency Department. Not only does Alfred look like her father, he’s also everything she wanted him to be – a professor of surgery and a hero of hers. This is why she has such a special relationship with him. In trying to save dying Alfred, she’s trying to save her father again, which she wasn’t able to do.”

She’s been on quite a journey since her arrival at Holby City ED in 2014!

“The initial idea we had for Connie was to have a year of seasons. She arrived in Holby during her spring. Taking over the ED was her summer. And in autumn she began to disintegrate after she lost Grace. Alfred’s arrival marks her winter of despair.”

How has it been working with Michael Byrne, who plays Motor Neuron Disease sufferer Alfred Maxwell?

“It’s been a privilege to work with Indiana Jones’ star Michael Byrne, he’s a phenomenal actor! I’ve found myself welling up in the scenes with Michael. If you see me looking up, it’s because I’m trying not to cry, because Connie doesn’t cry! I just couldn’t help being affected by his performance.”

Given the sensitivity of the subject, have you had a lot of research material to hand on set while filming?

“Yes, a lot of information. We had advisors all the way through, who were on set if we had any questions. We also talked about the medical and psychological aspects of both the patient and carer’s points of view.”

Have you felt a big responsibility with this storyline?

“It’s a huge responsibility to get this story right. Instead of being either for or against euthanasia Casualty’s put across both cases. You absolutely get why this man, who can put his very valid reasons across, wants to die. Slowly his body is becoming a cage. Then Connie’s on the side of caution, saying there are so many ways we can do to give you a reasonably comfortable life until the end. It’s very moving.”

Read more revelations about Connie’s arrest here.

To get a glimpse of Connie being carted off in handcuffs watch Casualty’s ‘strong women’ trailer.

In Saturday’s Casualty we saw Connie Beauchamp accept her limitations as a clinical lead in her staff’s time of need and pick up the phone to Zoe Hanna.

Amanda Mealing, who plays Connie, explained to What’s on TV why the ED needs Zoe: “Connie’s not a comforter. She can’t be the mother or best friend that Zoe can.”

The department is still reeling from the shock death of paramedic Jeff Collier. So with Connie unable to cope with the high level of emotions in the department, she called Zoe at the end of last week’s episode of the long-running medical drama.

“Connie has a very different manner to Zoe when it comes to running the ED. She’s not personable and involved with the team the way Zoe is.”

“Connie can run an efficient ED, but at this point the team need a comforting team leader. Connie doesn’t have the skills to do that.”

“The cracks are showing… which means conflict is coming up!”

Will Connie regret asking Zoe to return, after working so hard to take her job in the first place?

Find out how Zoe’s first days goes when Sunetra Sarker returns to the role on Saturday, October 25 on BBC1.

Meanwhile, read our episode preview here.

In an interview with What’s on TV, Amanda Mealing reveals Casualty consultant Connie Beauchamp is ready to step into Zoe’s clinical lead heels…

Since joining the emergency department earlier this year Connie has been eyeing up Zoe Hanna’s clinical lead position. And when overworked and overwhelmed Zoe goes into freefall in this Sunday’s episode, Connie’s on hand to take over – on a permanent basis!

Zoe buckles under the pressure of running the struggling ED this week and walks away from her duties to attend a helicopter crash. How does Connie view Zoe’s abandonment of her post?

“In Connie’s eyes this is appalling. Zoe has now completely failed in her duties as a clinical lead. It’s quite a pivotal moment for Connie. She’s joined the ED with a clear purpose. We’ve seen her watching Zoe to see how she works. When Zoe abdicates responsibility it gives Connie a chance to prove her skills as a leader. For Connie being left to carry the ED is a blessing in disguise!”

Why is Connie now so openly critical of Zoe’s management?

“Connie’s frustrations with Zoe’s leadership skills have escalated over the weeks. Last week elderly patients were left in reception and this week they’re making front-page headlines! Connie finds it shocking, embarrassing and shameful. [Connie believes] the emergency department needs someone decisive and strong to knock it back into shape and prove the headlines wrong. Zoe should be there as an example to everyone as to how to respond, but she runs away!”

What makes Connie think she can run the department better than Zoe?

“Connie knows she has the skills to be clinical lead. Connie’s good at politics, and being a clinical lead is partly political. She’s also very good at administration. Zoe’s brilliant at medicine, but is a shambles at administration and politics! Now Connie’s been around the emergency department enough, she’s skilled in that as well.”

We see Zoe hand in her notice to hospital CEO Guy Self this week. Does Connie jump at the vacancy?

“Connie’s been playing the long game. She now knows how the ED works and is ready to step up – and Zoe just hands it to her on a plate!”

Previously you played Connie in Holby City from 2004 to 2010. Do you feel you’re back in the flow of playing her now?

“Yes I really am. It’s six months in and I really feel like I’m part of the show and the gang. They’re playing practical jokes on me now, so I must be! Recently Matt Bardock (paramedic Jeff) stuck Connie’s Louboutins to the desk with very strong tack. He nearly needed his own paramedic for that!”

See Zoe hand in her notice after the day from hell on BBC1 this Sunday at 9.15pm.

In an interview with What’s on TV Amanda Mealing reveals her return as consultant Connie Beauchamp will ruffle feathers in BBC1's Casualty…

Having left Holby City in 2010 was it an easy decision to reprise the role of Connie Beauchamp in Casualty?

"Not at all. I said no at first! I left Holby City after six years of commuting and not seeing my family. But my husband thought we should turn it into an adventure, so they all came with me this time. My children are in a new school and we absolutely love it in Cardiff."

Holby City fans are familiar with Connie, but how would you describe her for Casualty viewers?

"Connie’s a driven alpha female. She’s an incredible doctor and surgeon, and she doesn’t suffer fools. She’s not concerned whether people like her or not, her concern is medicine and the state of the emergency department."

Why is she back?

"Holby CEO Guy Self needs a dynamic consultant in the ED because things are falling apart. So she’s returned from private practice in Switzerland to revolutionise things!"

How do her new co-workers receive her?

"Her arrival puts them into a tailspin! Everyone is trying to work out why she’s there. Clinical Lead Zoe and Connie lock horns almost immediately. Zoe tries to exert her authority, but Connie isn’t very good at taking orders. There are also some very cute young doctors and Connie’s a sexual predator with a roving eye!"

Do Connie and Guy have an agenda for the ED?

"With Connie around things are going to get more political because she’s a political animal. Guy’s instructed her to acquaint herself with every aspect of the ED. Connie takes that literally and on her first day she goes on a shout with the paramedics. She really gets involved with the action! It was quite terrifying, but I did all my own stunts."

Was it easy to get back into the swing of being Connie?

"Once I got the designer heels on I was straight back in there. Connie’s no wallflower so I didn’t have time to be hesitant or nervous, which was a bit of a shock for everyone! I get the best one-liners and putdowns, best costumes and highest heels. It’s every girl’s dream!"

Catch Connie's return to Casualty on BBC1, Saturday, March 29.

Amanda Mealing has revealed she's feeling nervous and excited as her Holby character Connie Beauchamp makes her debut in Casualty, and intends to live tweet during the show on Saturday.

“BBC One are running a special, week-long, promo for Connie’s return,” said Amanda. “I’m really nervous about how she’ll be received, I know fans of Holby City and Casualty have high expectations. I just hope I please rather that disappoint! But I won’t know until it airs on the 29th of March. It’s nerve-wracking!”

Amanda, who played Connie for over six years on Casualty’s BBC1 sister show Holby City from 2004 to 2010, also explained her hesitation at watching her debut: “I’ve seen little bits of it, but think I’ll be too nervous to watch it. I’ll wait for my auntie Doris to call me up and tell me whether it’s any good. She’s my barometer!”

What’s on TV has already seen the episode and think, not only should she watch it, but she should also get online and tweet during it.

Amanda said: “That’s a great idea! I hadn’t thought about it, but now you’ve said it I think I might tweet during it. I tweet all the time – I love it!”

Watch Connie ruffle feathers in Casualty on Saturday, March 29 on BBC1.