Michael Stevenson — a Casualty exclusive

After 13 years of death-defying rescues and rocky relationships, paramedic Iain Dean seemed ready to settle down when he married advanced clinical practitioner Faith Cadogan in May. Yet the opening episode of Casualty’s latest 12-part miniseries Supply and Demand quickly dispelled that idea, as the thrill-seeking medic ascended a tower crane in 40mph winds, saved its trapped operator, and subsequently decided he wanted to join Holby City’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART).

This week in BBC One's medical drama, Iain embarks on HART training with high hopes of landing a permanent position on the specialised emergency response unit. However, he receives a deeply personal phone call that will lead the fan-favourites into unexplored emotional territory…

Here, Michael Stevenson, who has played the plucky paramedic since 2012, reveals more in this exclusive interview…

Michael Stevenson - Casualty Q&A

Who's calling Iain? Find out when Casualty's Supply and Demand - Episode 2 airs on BBC1 on Saturday 28 June 2025 at 8.20pm. The episode is also available on BBC iPlayer from 6am.

More exclusives with the cast of Casualty

Elinor Lawless on Stevie Nash’s recovery and unwanted attention from Flynn Byron

Sarah Seggari on filming Rida’s harrowing story and future plot twists

Robert Bathurst on playing Casualty villain Russell Whitelaw and a surprise new project in the works

Sarah Seggari ‘We filmed for six hours on a closed set’

Olly Rix explains why Flynn Byron is a force to be reckoned with

Melanie Hill reveals that Siobhan McKenzie's unimaginable loss

William Beck on playing Dylan Keogh

Casualty exclusive with Charles Venn AKA paramedic Jacob Masters

Decked out in his paramedic uniform as Casualty’s Jacob Masters, actor Charles Venn cuts a striking figure when he joins us for an exclusive video interview from his dressing room in Cardiff to talk about a gripping new development for his character. 

“I’ve literally just got off set from shooting a powerful scene,” shares Charles, while giving us a virtual tour of his “man cave”, decorated in eye-catching posters and cool action figures. “It’s a very emotive and relatable situation and I can’t wait for you guys to see it!”

It’s been nine years since Charles made his debut in 2015 as Jacob, then a nurse, and in that time he’s had his fair share of action-packed drama. However, last month, it was Jacob’s personal life that took an unexpected turn when his estranged son, Blake, abandoned his baby son, Carter, outside Holby ED. 

In this week’s episode of BBC1’s hit medical drama, Into the Fire, Jacob secures custody of his grandchild but grapples with an uncertain future.

Here Charles gives us a lovely and thoughtful insight into Jacob’s unexpected baby dilemma and his romantic hopes for the character…

Catch Charles Venn in life-changing Casualty episode Into the Fire on Saturday 20 April on BBC1 at 8.25pm and BBC iPlayer from 6am.

Update 12 June, 2024. Charles has released a trailer for his short movie, How To Navigate Being a Monster starring his Casualty colleagues Di Botcher and Milo Clarke. 

Check it out here.

Read our interview with Amanda Mealing here

Never miss an episode of Casualty with our guide to the medical drama’s 2024 schedule

The stars of Holby City might be used to saving people's lives on screen, but there's a new kind of rescue on the cards as the show's cast reunites for a very special documentary. 

We caught up with Holby legend Rosie Marcel (Jac Naylor) to hear about her new project which will see her heading to Romania with former castmates Guy Henry (Henrik Hanssen), Bob Barrett (Sacha Levy) and Sarah-Jane Potts (Nurse Eddi McKee) to rescue stray dogs and cats for animal welfare charity, The Pack Project. 

Here Rosie talks exclusively about reuniting with her Holby friends, what important work The Pack Project does, and why the charity is a cause very close to her heart... 

For more information on The Pack Project UK and how you can get involved, visit their website or check out their Instagram page for dogs @thepackprojectuk and for cats @thepackprojectukcats, or visit their YouTube channel.

This weekend marks a milestone moment in Casualty as the legendary Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson) bows out of the show after an amazing 38 years on our screens. 

After last week’s dramatic stabbing, the veteran medic’s life hangs in the balance in an episode poignantly and simply titled Charlie on Saturday, March 16 at 9.25pm on BBC1.

But, while fans are desperate to learn Charlie's fate, one person who knows all about iconic characters leaving much-loved shows more than others is former Holby City favorite Rosie Marcel. 

Rosie played top surgeon Jac Naylor for 17 years, and when the show was sadly cancelled back in 2022 the decision was made to kill off the character after she suffered a terminal brain tumour.

We caught up with Rosie for an exclusive chat about her latest project that will see her reunite with her Holby co-stars Guy Henry (Henrik Hanssen), Bob Barrett (Sacha Levy) and Sarah-Jane Potts (Eddi McKee) on a trip to Romania to make a documentary for a charity very close to her heart called The Pack Project UK.

The Pack Project UK is a charity that takes unwanted stray dogs and cats off the streets in Romania, houses them, gets them better and then finds loving homes for them in the UK or Germany, and Rosie is proud ambassador for the cause.

But while we were chatting to Rosie, we couldn't resist asking her thoughts on Charlie's Casualty exit this weekend. 

Although we are yet to find out if Charlie lives or dies, Rosie reflected on her own character's fate: "I think it's always a mistake to kill off such an incredible character like Charlie, but if they do it in the right way, then it could be really spectacular.

"I always felt it was a mistake to kill Jac off, but we did it in such a brilliant way that, in the end, I was so pleased with it. Everything comes to its natural end and Derek's landed straight into another job, which I think is wonderful because I think he's a very talented actor."

Look out for our full chat with Rosie about The Pack Project and the amazing work they do next week. For more information on The Pack Project UK and how you can get involved, visit their website or check out their Instagram pages @thepackprojectuk and @thepackprojectukcats.

Holby City might be off our screens, but we're about to see a cast reunion when Rosie Marcel teams up with three other stars for a special documentary.

Rosie, who is best known for her role as Holby's Jac Naylor, has built a dedicated social media presence where she's vocal about her charity work as an ambassador for The Pack Project UK.

It is this work that has led her to reunite with Guy Henry (Henrik Hanssen), Bob Barrett (Sacha Levy), and Sarah-Jane Potts (Eddi McKee), who are accompanying Rosie to Romania to see the important work this charity does and to film a documentary together.

Speaking to Inside Soap about the project, Rosie said: "This April, three other Holby members – Guy Henry, Bob Barrett, and Sarah-Jane Potts will be coming with me to Romania. I’m an ambassador of The Pack Project UK, and we partner with Care For Dogs Romania, where we take stray and injured animals off the street, as there is, unfortunately, no neutering programme out there. 

"We put them into kennels, treat them, get them well, and hope to find them homes, either here in the UK or in Germany."

A release date for the documentary has not yet been confirmed, but it is the first time the cast are reuniting in "three to four years", according to Rosie, who has revealed it will be "a brilliant reunion at Luton airport".

As well as the new documentary, Rosie also spoke about her Holby character Jac Naylor's devastating on-screen death, and how fans are still reaching out two years after the finale aired.

She said: "People are still reaching out very frequently. They’re always asking me when I’m going to be back on TV, which is lovely, but I don’t know, is the answer! Who knows, I’ve actually really enjoyed the last few years of not doing anything and looking after my family. 

"My husband was really sick over Christmas and he nearly died, and I was really lucky to be around to help him. I took him to the hospital, and as I was walking down the corridors people were like, “Oh, why are you here? Are you here for me?” and I was like, “No, I’m not going to operate on you, it’s okay!”."

Holby City aired on BBC One with the final ever episode airing in 2022. 

Holby City star Jo Martin has hinted at a possible return for her character Max McGerry in Casualty.

Max is a consultant neurosurgeon, who also serves as Holby City Hospital's medical director and head of neurosurgery. 

Jo played the role of Max for three years until 2022 and also made appearances as the character in Casualty. But we could be about to see her walk down the hospital wards once again after she teased a potential return to Casualty.

Talking to Digital Spy, Jo shared her thoughts on whether she would reprise the role in a cameo or on a permanent basis.

"Well, the thing is, my character for Holby, she runs Casualty as well. So they better mind I don't come back. My character — because she was a CEO, and then she let that go, and she was a neurosurgeon," she said.

She continued: "I appeared as that character in both. Max McGerry was in Casualty and Holby. Holby was her main show, but then occasionally I'd jump over and come ruffle some feathers and tell people, 'Watch it'."

When asked if she would make a comeback, Jo revealed: "You never know. A few people have gone over. Jaye Griffiths, she was in Holby. She's done a stint on Casualty as her character from Holby. So never say never. And I love Casualty. So, you know…"

Max, who is a recovering alcoholic, was appointed the hospital's chief executive officer in 2019 but left the role in 2021 after she took the fall for her son Louis (Tyler Luke Cunningham) when he was revealed to be stealing equipment.

Max was arrested after she confessed that she was responsible for the thefts and Adrian 'Fletch' Fletcher (Alex Walkinshaw) took over the job of acting CEO.

The consultant was hit with another devastating blow during her time in Holby City when she tested positive for the BRCA1 gene mutation which put her at increased risk of developing breast cancer, the disease which claimed the life of her mother. 

Casualty airs on Saturdays on BBC One — check out our guide to every episode for all the latest news and spoilers. 

Holby City legend Guy Henry is one of the guest stars in the new series of Death in Paradise, it's been revealed.

Guy is best known for playing Holby's mysterious CEO Henrik Hanssen and he appeared in the show's final ever episode back in 2022.

Now Guy has a very different role in Death in Paradise, where he will be seen popping up on Saint Marie. We know now Death in Paradise season 13 will return on Sunday, February 4 on BBC One.

Little is known yet about Guy's character, so it will be interesting to see if Guy plays a potential murder suspect or a victim.

This isn't Guy’s first part since the end of Holby. He's appeared in both The Burning Girls and Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story.

Death in Paradise revealed a string of other guest stars including Coronation Street’s Gabrielle Glaister, who Blackadder fans will remember as Bob.

Other guest names include Ted Lasso's Kevin Garry, Starstruck's Emma Sidi, Hollyoaks's Rachel Adedeji and Nolly’s Richard Lintern.

Former Silent Witness star Genesis Lynea returns as Andrina Harper, the long-lost daughter of The Commissioner. So this promises to be a potentially major storyline for The Commissioner. 

More guest stars include Carnival Row's Eve Posonby, The Great's Ali Ariaie, Yesterday's Ellise Chappell, Bridgerton's Emma Naomi, Line of Duty’s Taj Atwal, The Witcher’s Ben Wiggins, Nighty Night’s Michael Fenton Stevens, Endeavour’s Shvorne Marks, Corrie's Richard Fleeshman and comedian Ronni Ancona.

Sadly, there’s no sign of Holby City returning anytime soon, although fans can but hope. Speaking to us about the show's final ever episode, Guy said: "I think it's spectacular in human terms, as opposed to special effects and murders and things blowing up. 

"I think Holby has always excelled at trying to portray the lives of hardworking people… when it reflects the real world as much as we can. And I think the spectacular ending, comes from all those human relationships and what happens to these real people."

Former Holby City star David Ames has revealed whether he'd make the move to Casualty in the future. 

David, who played Dr Dominic Copeland on the soap, said in a recent interview that he'd "love to revisit him" as Dom was such a "sassy, emotional, intelligent, so flawed and lovable" character. 

As Holby City was shockingly cancelled back in 2022, there's no hope of Dom returning to screens for the show — but he could potentially return to screens, this time on Casualty as Dom is "alive and well" within the hospital.

"I believe Dom occasionally gets mentioned in Casualty, so he is alive and well and within the hospital!" he told Inside Soap magazine. 

"I would love to revisit him and see where he is now, Dom was such a multi-faceted character: sassy, emotional, intelligent, so flawed and lovable."

David is currently starring in Hollyoaks as headteacher Carter, so while a move to Casualty could possible in the future, it doesn't look like it will happen any time soon...

David also discussed how he is still in touch with some of his former castmates from Holby City.

"I went for brunch in the summer with Rob Ostlere [who plays Arthur], Camilla Arfwedson [who plays Zosia] and Ellie Fanyinka [who plays Morven]," he told Inside Soap magazine. "They all have children under the age of two so that was interesting, I just sat there with a cocktail!

"We make sure we FaceTime every couple of months for a big old catch-up to get the updates on what's going on with family, work and everything else!"

Fans of the BBC drama are eagerly awaiting its return, which is set to be before the year is out. 

Watch this space for full details on when Casualty will return to screens. 

Casualty airs on BBC One — check out our guide to every episode for all the latest news and spoilers. 

Selected episodes of Holby City are streaming on BBC iPlayer.

There are exciting times ahead for Holby City fans as a show favourite joins Casualty for a very special episode set to air this weekend. 

The milestone episode, airing on Saturday, July 15 at 8.25 pm on BBC One, is a special standalone episode commemorating 75 years of the NHS — and as well as contributions from real-life medics, there is also a familiar face joining the Casualty cast. 

Davood Ghadami will return to his role as Holby City heart surgeon Eli Ebrahimi this weekend when the Holby medical team do everything they can to save motorcyclist Amartya Das.

Helping Amartya from the first 999 call until he goes into surgery are fan favourites, Iain Dean, Jan Jenning, Teddy Gowan, Rash Masum, Dylan Keogh, Donna Jackson, Jodie Whyte and Ryan Firth.

But when a CT scan reveals that Amartya has life-or-death heart problems Stevie calls in Eli Ebrahimi who quickly mobilises a team to operate on Amartya… But will they be able to save him?

Fans will remember Davood Ghadami played Darwin Ward's consultant cardiothoracic surgeon from 2021 until the show came to an end last year. 

Speaking of his character when he joined Holby, Davood told us: "He’s an incredibly talented cardiothoracic surgeon at the top of his game. He’s passionate about what he does and happiest in his workspace. It’s almost his entire focus. 

"That can sometimes make him quite socially awkward! But he isn't someone that can be bullied and pushed around."

In this week's Casualty nurse Cam Mickelthwaite (Barney Walsh) prepares the body of a deceased patient on his own, so that the man’s shocked and heartbroken family can spend time with their loved one.

Meanwhile, Jodie Whyte is also having a bad day when she is attacked by patient Jade Morton (Zoe Molyneux) and we see another side to Ryan Firth (Eddie-Joe Robinson) when he keeps up the spirits of elderly patient Dorothy Bevan (Gillian Axtell, After Life), who is stuck on a trolley in a hospital corridor.

This Casualty episode is called How to Save a Life and will air on BBC One at 8.25 pm on Saturday, July 15, 2023. 

EastEnders fans spotted a Holby City link in the latest episode, as Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) suffered a heart attack in France.

Cindy Beale's (Michelle Collins) return to the soap has been a massive storyline for fans, as Ian's ex-wife was supposedly killed off in the 1990s, but it has been revealed she was actually hiding under a false identity.

This has caused plenty of drama and questions between the two Beales, who are currently in France and living there together as a couple, with their reconciliation happening off-screen prior to Michelle Collins' return to the soap.

But although their life in France seems pretty perfect, away from all the drama of the Square, it's not quite that simple and Ian was missing his home and the people living there.

Ian was desperate to get back to Walford, considering that's where his son and mother are, but Cindy was not convinced as she's spent years hiding under the name Rose Knight.

It didn't take long before an argument broke out between the pair that was interrupted by Ian clutching his chest in pain, suffering a heart attack that landed him in hospital.

While this was a shocking moment, fans became distracted by the fact that it's a very familiar set, and eagle-eyed EastEnders viewers pointed out the fact it is likely the same one they use for Holby City.

As we sadly know, Holby's 23-year run on the BBC came to an end last year, with the medical soap airing its final ever episode. So naturally, people were delighted to see the iconic hospital back on our screens in some capacity.

Fans were discussing this all over Twitter with some making jokes about how the place looked "a lot like Holby". While not officially a crossover episode, it's definitely a fun Easter egg for fans of both programmes!

We do know that both Ian and Cindy will return to Walford, with a recent press event confirming that Adam Woodyatt and Michelle Collins returned to the EastEnders set and will be back on the Square. 

However, Ian will be staying in France AKA Holby City for a little while longer considering the health scare, so fans can enjoy the brief crossover between the two soaps!

EastEnders airs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7.30 pm on BBC One — see our TV Guide for full listings. You can also catch up on episodes on BBC iPlayer now. 

Holby City star Peter Wingfield swapped the pretend wards of Holby City Hospital for a real-life career in the medical field after appearing on the BBC drama.

Peter played the role of consultant general surgeon Dan Clifford in Holby City from 2006 to 2007 and made two guest appearances in 2008 and 2009.

After appearing in the medical drama, the TV star has since forged a successful career as an anaesthesiologist where he has practiced medicine on both sides of the Atlantic. 

Peter studied medicine at Oxford University as a teenager and then did a stint at St Bartholomew's in London, before deciding to pursue a career in acting. He quit his course with just weeks left to finish and went on to star in some huge US TV projects.

He landed roles in Highlander: The Series, CSI: Miami, Queen of Swords and Sanctuary, until he came full circle and returned to a career in medicine where he began studying at the University of Vermont.

Talking to the Paths Podcast, Peter confessed that the state of the world and the 2008/2009 financial crisis was the reason why he decided to quit acting and pursue a career in medicine.

He revealed: "As you get older, especially if you have kids, you think, 'what am I going to be remembered for?' And what am I teaching my kids?"

As he reflected on his acting lifestyle, he shared that he was forced to ask himself: "Is this what I want?"

Peter is now a Board Certified Anaesthesiologist in Los Angeles after joining the residency program at the University of California.

Peter also added about his career change: "I'm very happy with how things are right now. Most days I really enjoy my day at work. Some days are really tedious, but that's okay — that's just how things are!"

Peter is also the founder and director of Project Edan, a non-profit organization that raises money for charities such as UNICEF and the Boston Children's Hospital.

Holby City legend David Ames is swapping hospital scrubs for a new life in Hollyoaks as he prepares to take on a new soap role.

Confirming the news on This Morning, David has teased he'll be heading to the Channel 4 soap to take on a very interesting character after Sally St Claire (Annie Wallace) has stepped down as headteacher.

During an interview with Sharon Marshall, David was asked why he was on the Hollyoaks set and replied: "Well, I heard that there was a vacancy at Hollyoaks High School so I thought I’d step in and fill the role! I'm stepping in as the new headmaster!"

Hollyoaks has since confirmed the news with a statement that reveals David will be playing a character called Carter Shepherd, the new head teacher of Hollyoaks High who arrives in the village to connect with his daughter Freya Calder, played by Ellie Henry, who is reprising her role.

Fans of the soap will remember that in previous Hollyoaks storylines, Freya was injured in a car accident caused by John Paul McQueen.

Speaking of his new role, David said: “I am incredibly excited to join the Hollyoaks cast as such an intricately layered character with a very poignant and vital storyline to come.” 

While Ellie added: “I am absolutely thrilled to be returning to Hollyoaks! Last year saw a lot of life-changing events for Freya, she is now navigating life as a disabled young person without her mum which gives us so much to explore. She’s also had a little transformation in the time she’s been away which is exciting. We have so much coming up this year that I cannot wait for people to see!” 

David Ames is best known for playing Dom Copeland in the BBC soap Holby City and was a long-standing member of the cast until it ended in 2022. He first appeared in season 15 and was there until the final episode.

Dom had a lot of roles within the hospital, going from a clinical registrar to a clinical lead, before finally settling on a more senior role as a consultant general surgeon. 

His character was an interesting one, with the official BBC page describing him as "troubled and trouble in equal measure" but also "intelligent and sharp-witted", with a sensitive side too. He quickly became a household name for Holby fans.

Right now, we don't know anything about David's Hollyoaks character other than his occupation, so it will be interesting to see if he has any similarities to Dom. 

Hollyoaks airs Mondays to Fridays on at 6:30 pm on Channel 4 and at 7pm on E4.

From Janine Butcher to Gray Atkins, many EastEnders villains have come and gone after their evil antics are exposed. But could Holby City icon Leslie Ash be up next to have her reign of terror in Walford?

Men Behaving Badly star Leslie revealed that she would be up for a role in EastEnders after playing Vanessa Lytton, who was the CEO of the Holby City Hospital Primary Care Trust in Holby City. Leslie was in the medical drama for a year, before reprising the role in the spin-off soap Casualty for one episode.

She told the Daily Star that she would be open to heading to Albert Square for her next soap role.

She revealed: "I love the soaps. And if I had to choose one, I suppose that would be EastEnders, because it's in London. You know, if I was to do one that's up north, it would mean I'd be away from home.

"But for someone my age, I'd probably just go up and play a character for a short while. I'm always up for everything. I love this business passionately. I never wanted it to ever come to an end."

Leslie also added that she would be up for taking on a villainous soap alter-ego once again.

"Yeah, I could, I played a villain in Holby City. Yeah, she wasn't a very nice person but I enjoyed it."

After conquering the world of soaps, Leslie revealed that she also has her eye on starring in a period drama, particularly Bridgerton.

She said: "I'd love to do something like Bridgerton. Oh gosh, I love all the costumes and everything like that. I just love it. And with acting, it keeps your brain active when you have to learn lines."

EastEnders airs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7.30 pm on BBC One — see our TV Guide for full listings. You can also catch up on episodes on BBC iPlayer now. 

The Effects Of Lying is a family drama on ITVX for summer 2023. Full of tension and comedy, it follows one rollercoaster of a day in the life of loving dad and husband Naveen, played by Ace Bhatti. His world is shattered when he discovers his wife Sangeeta (Laila Rouass) has been unfaithful with his brother (Navin Chowdry). 

Speaking of the role, Ace Bhatti said: “Naveen is a man who tries to do right by his family. He’s trying so hard to keep his fractious family together, but within 24 hours he learns three very deep, very dark secrets that break his life apart. By lunchtime, his whole life is shattered… and he has to learn very quickly how to deal with that on an emotional level.”

Laila Rouass adds: “Sangeeta finds herself trapped and disappointed that her life has taken the route it has. We find her at a real crossroads and I think a lot of women can relate to someone like her — a reflection of the opportunities you didn’t take. 

"This film meant a lot to us and the opportunity to do something where everyone’s united in the reason they’re doing it. For me, that’s where the magic lies in this movie.”

Here's everything you need to know about The Effects Of Lying on ITVX

The Effects Of Lying release date

The Effects Of Lying is available to stream on ITVX now. It landed on the ITV streaming site on Thursday, July 6 2023 during South Asian Heritage month. 

The movie will come to ITV1 later this year.

The Effects Of Lying plot

The Effects Of Lying follows Naveen, played by Ace Bhatti) for one very eventful day. He's a loyal husband and loving father who's sacrificed everything for his family. This one day everything is set to crumble and fall apart. After finding his teenage daughter Simran (Lauren Patel) secretly gorging and his dissatisfied wife Sangeeta (Laila Rouass) in bed with his brother Harvinder (Navin Chowdry), secrets and lies are uncovered and events play out dramatically.

Naveen realises he's allowed himself to be passive too long, manipulated by other people’s whims and desires. Things must change...

The Effects Of Lying cast

Leading the cast of The Effects of Lying are Ace Bhatti, who's previously starred as Yusef Khan in EastEnders, plus Bohemian Rhapsody and Line of Duty, who plays dad Naveen while former Strictly contestant Laila Rouass (Holby City, Spooks, Footballers' Wives) plays his unfaithful wife Sangeeta who's having a fling with Naveen's brother Harvinder played by Navin Chowdry (EastEnders, The End of the F***ing World, Our Girl). 

Lauren Patel (Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) plays Naveen and Sangeeta's daughter Simran while Shaheen Khan (Bend it Like Beckham) and Mark Williams (Father Brown, Harry Potter) also star.

Is there a trailer for The Effects Of Lying?

Yes, the trailer for The Effects Of Lying sees how hidden secrets in a family have a habit of being revealed, and when they do, all hell breaks loose! You can watch the trailer below....

Behind the scenes and more on The Effects Of Lying

The Effects Of Lying is the debut production for independent production company Bonaparte Films. James Hey (Doctors) has written the script.

Producer Jon Tarcy and director Isher Sahota, Bonaparte Films, say: “We’re thrilled to partner with ITVX on this exciting journey. The Effects of Lying is a relatable, hilarious and heart-warming film, so we are delighted the show has found its home on ITVX. 

"This was a completely independent project shot in just 12 days. Our mission was to bring a new moment in representation to UK screens, so to be supported by a major platform in this competitive climate is a dream come true.”

Holby City fans have voted for their favourite ever episode in a poll run by the Casualty and Holby City fansite, Holby.tv.

Holby.tv has run unofficial awards for both soaps for 19 years. In this year's awards, they asked viewers to vote for some of the best-loved things from the long-running medical soap, including characters and acting performances, along with their all-time favourite episode. 

It was a hotly-contested category, though it was Holby City's last-ever episode which ultimately came out on top. It just narrowly beat out "Group Animal", a two-part episode from 2017, with "Bell Jar" coming in third place.

Other wins included Jac Naylor being crowned Favourite All-Time Female and Favourite All-Time Consultant, while Rosie Marcel who played Jac won the award for Best Ever Acting Performance in the show. 

Sacha Levy (played by Bob Barrett) won Favourite All-Time Male and Favourite All-Time Male Doctor, Fletch (Alex Walkinshaw) was voted Favourite All-Time Male Nurse, and Jac and Fletch were crowned the series' Favourite All-Time Pairing.

Holby City finally came to an end with the winning episode on Tuesday, March 29, 2022. 

The show's cancellation was first confirmed in June 2021, though the producers around that time confirmed that Holby would "get the send-off it deserves". 

In the Holby City finale, Jac Naylor ended up declaring that she wanted an ADRT (an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment) for her inoperable brain tumour and asked Fletch to be her witness.

Along with this big decision, we saw heartbreaking scenes as Sacha and Fletch grappled with Jac's eventual death. Plus, as young medic Nicky McKendrick (Belinda Owusu) tackled a complicated surgical procedure on a beating heart, Jac's organs were passed on to other patients in need in a sequence that featured some former faces from the show and Holby CEO Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry), who travelled up to Leeds to make a big romantic gesture and declare his love for Russ. 

And as the show prepared to sign off for good, it left us with a love letter dedicated to the NHS and all the real medical personnel who are hard at work saving lives day in, day out up and down the country. 

Casualty has dropped a new two-minute trailer, revealing shocking storylines, arrivals, and departures at Holby ED. But that's not all... the trailer also teases a Holby City crossover by treating us to a glimpse of cardiothoracic consultant Eli Ebrahimi! 

Here’s how we see the immediate future for our favourite Casualty characters…

Jacob Masters' future at Casualty

The trailer, Welcome to the Warzone, opens with Jacob Masters (Charles Venn) realising some uncomfortable truths. His journey from ED nurse to paramedic is going to be a hot topic in upcoming episodes, with the maverick medic putting himself and others in danger as he tries to exorcise his demons over Robyn Miller’s death. Jacob’s action hero antics echo back to his very first scenes on Casualty, raising concerns that his journey is about to come full circle on the medical drama… 

Is this a new chapter for Jacob Masters, or the end of the line for the tormented medic?

Jacob Masters: “I don’t belong on either side any more.”

Faith Cadogan

Advanced clinical practitioner Faith Cadogan (Kirsty Mitchell) is also front and centre in Casualty’s new trailer. Viewers know that the nurse is secretly battling drug addiction, following a horrific assault in her home last year. While some of Faith’s friends and colleagues know about the attack, absolutely no one is aware of her escalating diazepam dependency — but that’s set to change.

During the trailer Faith’s fella, paramedic Iain Dean, tells her that he loves her; but what should be a moment of happiness is marred by secret guilt and a web of lies. 

The trailer indicates that not only is the mum-of-three’s drug dependence going to come to light in highly emotional scenes, but that those closest to her are about to get hurt in the process…

Faith Cadogan: “Everybody messes up...”

Iain Dean

Paramedic Iain Dean (Michael Stevenson) declares his love for Faith and pledges to help her through upcoming dark times… he can also be seen in a helicopter saving someone’s life. Is a career change on the horizon for Iain with a possible return to HEMS? 

Iain Dean: "We'll get you through this."

Max Cristie

As soon as they discovered they’d be working alongside each other, clinical lead Max Cristie (Nigel Harman) and junior nurse Jodie Whyte (Anna Chell), agreed that they wanted nothing to do with one another. Now high-octane storylines are in the works, which drastically change everything for the warring father and daughter. Dramatic scenes include a deadly fire, injured Jodie in tears, and Max racing through the night. 

As relations begin to thaw, it looks like Max and Jodie have some uncomfortable explaining to do! The new trailer reveals that clinical nurse manager Donna Jackson (Jaye Jacobs) and consultant Stevie Nash (Elinor Lawless) have both clocked that there’s something unusual about their relationship… and immediately jump to the same, wrong conclusion! 

Jan Jenning

Jan Jenning and Ffion Morgan in shock break up! 

It looks like the married couple’s relationship is over. After years of countless ups and downs the trailer shows that Ffion (Sterling Gallacher) seems to have reached breaking point, with the police officer telling Jan (Di Botcher) “I’m leaving you!” Has this something to do with the return of Jan's husband Gethin West (Robert Pugh)? 

Eli Ebrahimi

The trailer teases a Holby City crossover by treating us to a glimpse of cardiothoracic consultant Eli Ebrahimi! When we last saw Eli (Davood Ghadami), his wife Amelia Ebrahimi (Lucy Briggs-Owen) had revealed she was pregnant. In the new Casualty trailer, the normally clean-shaven and stoic surgeon is looking dishevelled and emotional, as a woman (possibly Amelia) flings herself at him in an embrace. What has been going on with Eli since we last saw him in Holby?

Other highlights from the new Casualty trailer

Jodie is attacked by a patient.

Teddy Gowan (Milo Clarke) is shot protecting paramedic partner Sah Brockner (Arin Smethurst). 

Jodie and fellow nurse Ryan Firth (Eddie-Joe Robinson) snog.

There’s a major incident at the hospital. 

And a special guest appearance from a snake! In a bed!! In the ED!!! 

Watch the new Casualty trailer here...

Casualty star Anna Chell gives us an exclusive inside scoop on the new trailer

Stay up-to-date with everything that’s happening in Casualty in 2023

Holby City legend Dr Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett) is set to return to Holby ED in a special Casualty crossover episode as he battles to save nurse Robyn Miller's (Amanda Henderson) life.

The weight of Jac Naylor's (Rosie Marcel) devastating death is sure to weigh heavily on Sacha's mind, as he operates on the beloved nurse and his close friend.

As Holby City came to an end last year, so did the life of legendary Jac, who, despite multiple colleagues' best efforts to remove her inoperable brain tumour, tragically passed away after suffering a stroke shortly after the surgery.

In Casualty episode The Straw, which will air on Saturday, March 18, Robyn’s life hangs in the balance after she was involved in a horrific car accident just as she finished her final shift at the hospital in last Saturday’s shocking cliffhanger.

Picking up from the huge plot twist, Robyn is trapped in her car and there’s a major delay in getting her to the ED due to a shortage of available ambulances.

When Robyn is finally admitted, the much-loved nurse fights for her life. But there's a glimmer of hope when skilled surgeon Sacha Levy appears and is determined to pull out all the stops to save his close friend.

Time is of the essence for a seriously injured Robyn but can Sacha save her life?

After ten years as an ED nurse, the fan-favourite decided to hang up her scrubs and say goodbye to Holby City Hospital for a fresh start in Wigan with daughter Charlotte and fiancé Paul Popplewell.

At first Robyn was hesitant to uproot her and Charlotte's life, but she eventually had a change of heart. Not only that, Robyn had a question of her own for Paul and proposed to him! 

Sadly things didn't go to plan as when Robyn finished her last ever shift, she got trapped in her upturned, crashed car.

Casualty airs on Saturdays on BBC One. 

Robyn Miller’s life hangs in the balance in Casualty episode The Straw (BBC One, 8.50pm, Saturday 18 March 2023 - See our TV Guide for listings). Can Holby City's Sacha Levy save her? 

Elsewhere, Jacob Masters faces the potentially deadly consequences of his actions, Charlie Fairhead questions his loyalty, while David Hide and Marty Kikby make a tough call… Also, keep an eye out for three Coronation Street stars wandering the wards!

Full Casualty spoilers below…

Will Robyn Miller die?

Picking up directly from last Saturday’s shocking cliffhanger, nurse Robyn Miller is trapped in her car and there’s a major delay in getting her to the ED due to a shortage of available ambulances…

When Robyn is finally admitted to the emergency department, the courageous nurse’s life hangs in the balance, but hope appears in the form of a surprise familiar face — skilled surgeon Sacha Levy!

Terrified Robyn (Amanda Henderson) is seriously injured and time is of the essence, but Sacha (Holby City favourite Bob Barrett) is determined to save his close friend no matter what and pulls out all the stops. 

Can Sacha save Robyn?

Jacob Masters in backlash nightmare?

As news of Robyn’s fate spreads throughout the ED, senior nurse Jacob Masters (Charles Venn) faces the anger of his friends and colleagues. 

It’s widely known that Robyn left the ED in a fury last week, due to Jacob pushing the nursing staff beyond their limits. Now Jacob must process the news about Robyn’s serious injuries. In light of his role in the events prior to the horror car crash, will Jacob be pushed to a personal point of no return?

Faith’s upsetting discovery

Faith Cadogan uncovers a horrifying truth this week… 

Last week Faith (Kirsty Mitchell) was forced to abandon a date with paramedic Iain Dean (Michael Stevenson) when she got a call revealing her pensioner pal, Elise Clegg, had gone missing from her care home. 

While driving around Holby, Faith found Elsie (Coronation Street star Amanda Barrie) injured and drunk outside a pub. This week Faith takes Elsie to the ED for treatment, where she makes a dark and disturbing discovery…

Loyalties tested

In the wake of Robyn’s critical condition, many of her nearest and dearest at Holby call their loyalties into question. Emotions are running high, as the under-resourced ED reaches breaking point... 

Charlie Fairhead (Derek Thompson), David Hide (Jason Durr) and Marty Kirkby (Shaheen Jafargholi) in particular, are reeling after Robyn’s accident and questioning the moments that led up to it.

Paul in the dark?

Meanwhile, Robyn’s fiancé Paul Pegg (Paul Popplewell) is at home packing up in preparation for their big move to Wigan. With so much going on, will anyone think to let him know that Robyn’s in the ED and needs him and her daughter, Charlotte, by her side. 

Also in Casualty this week…

Jamie Kenna (Silent Witness, Coronation Street, Peaky Blinders) guest stars as exhausted yet calm father, Patrick Banks. Patrick comes into the ED with his son, Elliot, who has Crohn’s disease and needs to have his TPN (total parenteral nutrition) pipe unblocked. Patrick is well-versed in how long it takes to get treatment in the ED and has come prepared with a packed lunch and distractions to pass the time… But will the levelheaded dad’s patience be tested?

Also guest starring this week is Craig Gazey, best known for playing Graeme Proctor in Coronation Street from 2008 until 2011. This week he pops up in Casualty as frustrated patient Vince Valverde, who’s sporting an ankle injury. Vince is irked by what he perceives to be Robyn and Elsie jumping the queue and accuses the staff of giving favourable treatment to their friends. Will he kick up a fuss at an already difficult time for the team?

Casualty episode The Straw airs on Saturday, March 18 2023 at 8.50 pm on BBC One. It will be available on BBC iPlayer after transmission.

Future episodes of Casualty for the diary

Amanda Henderson interview — 10 years playing Robyn Miller in Casualty

Amanda Henderson is best known for playing staff nurse Robyn Miller in BBC One's Casualty, a role which she's held for a decade.

The Manchester-born actress, who trained in musical theatre, started her career on the stage, before joining the cast of the long-running medical drama. 

"Casualty has completely changed my life," Amanda revealed in an interview with What to Watch to celebrate her 10-year anniversary. "Landing a regular role on Saturday night primetime TV — I can’t complain! Even after ten years Casualty still surprises me every day.”

Away from her day job, the star loves indulging in her passions — which include open-water swimming and adventures in her beloved campervan.

Here are a few things you may not know about Amanda...

Amanda Henderson started her career in musical theatre

Amanda Henderson was born on September 26, 1986, and was always destined to be an actress. Growing up in Bury, Manchester, both of her parents were involved with amateur dramatics, so young Amanda followed in their footsteps and started performing in shows from the tender age of four.

She credits actress Julie Walters and the late Victoria Wood as being her biggest influences growing up.

After training in musical theatre at the Arden School of Theatre in Manchester, Amanda landed roles in the West End musical Oliver! and was a member of the ensemble in the 2012 Academy award-winning movie Les Misérables. 

When asked by #CheerUpCharlie interviewer Charlie Kristensen whether she prefers working in TV or on stage, Amanda said: "I can never answer that question because they're so different. I like the natural aspect of TV, but I love the adrenaline and rush you get from being on the stage. It's so exciting."

She's starred in Casualty's sister show Holby City

Amanda is one of Casualty's longest-serving cast members, having joined the BBC medical drama back in 2012.

Her character, staff nurse Robyn Miller, made her on-screen debut in January 2013 and was an instant hit with the fans, earning Amanda a nomination for Best Newcomer at the 2014 National Television Awards. 

The actress has also appeared as Robyn in Casualty's former spin-off series, Holby City for episodes in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

She's a fan of open water swimming

Last year Amanda bravely opened up about her mental health struggles on her Instagram account, and championed the benefits of open water swimming.

Alongside a picture of her in the sea, Amanda penned a candid post, admitting: "My mental health can be all over the place... Panic attacks have stopped me working. Depression has stopped me seeing people I love. And made me feel alone. But it's not who I am. I am more than this."

The actress, who is a member of the Dawnstalkers Sea Swim Club, and regularly shares pictures of her cold swimming adventures revealed her hobby has given her a 'sense of calm and purpose and revitalisation', and given her friends for life.

She added: "It turned my life around. And for that I'm so grateful."

Her mistake on Mastermind became an internet sensation

Amanda provided us with one of the TV highlights of 2020 when she appeared as a contestant on BBC quiz show, Celebrity Mastermind.

After smashing her specialist subject round — which was songs from animated Disney films from 1989-1999 — Amanda found the general knowledge round slightly more challenging.

When asked by host John Humphries which Swedish climate change activist wrote the 2019 book No-one is Too Small to Make A Difference — correct answer Greta Thunberg — Amanda hilariously answered: "Sharon".

A clip of Amanda's mistake went viral on social media, and Greta herself saw the funny side — even temporarily changing her name on Twitter to Sharon!

She's learning to speak Welsh

After spending the past decade of her life filming Casualty at the BBC in Cardiff, last year Amanda decided she wanted to start learning Welsh. 

"I feel like I'm almost truly Welsh," the Mancunian actress told Cambrian News. “A lot of the people I work with are first language Welsh speakers — so just to be able to fully converse in Welsh with someone — I think I’ll be so proud of myself when I get to that point. And I’ll say ‘when’ not ‘if’!

Having undergone intensive lessons with Aaron Jones from SaySomethinginWelsh, Amanda is now well on her way to mastering another language. And her journey was featured in an episode of the third series of S4C programme Iaith ar Daith.

She'd love to do a musical episode of Casualty

Amanda's character Robyn has packed a lot into her 10 years working at Holby City Hospital. But the actress has ambitions of being able to showcase her musical theatre training on the show!

Discussing her dream Casualty storyline, Amanda told us: "I want to see Robyn doing amateur dramatics. I think she’d be a wonderful, tap-dancing, chorus girl!"

"Shaheen Jafargholi and I put forward a story where Robyn and Marty go on holiday somewhere hot. And I’ve been asking for a musical episode for ten years. So far, no luck on those!”

Come on, Casualty, let's make it happen! 

She's the proud owner of a VW campervan

When she's not busying filming scenes with Casualty, Amanda loves nothing more than going on adventures in her VW campervan.

The actress acquired the snazzy vehicle, which she's fondly named Roger Jean Claude Crumpervan, last year and has been enjoying lots of beach camping trips with her buddies. 

Amanda regularly posts snaps of her adventures in Roger on her Instagram account, which include overnight stays in picturesque Tenby and The Gower.

Amanda Henderson's fact file

Frequently asked questions about the star...

Instagram: @ahendersonofficial
Twitter: @Amandahendrson

We work hard to ensure that all information is correct. Facts that change over time, such as age, will be correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of the last article update.

David Ames and Les Dennis pay a visit to the sun-drenched village of Sainte Victoire in Channel 5's The Madame Blanc Mysteries season 2 as honeymooning couple George and David.

David (played by Les) is an old friend of Jean's (Sally Lindsay) and a fellow antiques dealer, and he's bringing his new husband George (played by David) to meet Jean as the pair enjoy a honeymoon jaunt around the south of France. But the pair are blighted by bad luck on their trip, from damaged luggage to a near-miss with a mugger — and Jean's business partner Charlie (Sanchia McCormack) informs them that a rare set of playing cards they were gifted anonymously on their big day is believed to hold a terrible curse! 

We caught up with David Ames to find out more about his stint on the show... 

David Ames interview for The Madame Blanc Mysteries

• David guest stars in The Madame Blanc Mysteries on Thursday, January 26 on Channel 5 at 9pm in the UK

The tireless work of Holby City Hospital’s paramedics is put under the spotlight this week (Saturday, December 10 2022 at 8.10pm on BBC One) in a format-breaking, fully improvised episode of Casualty. 

The special episode will follow four days in the lives of paramedics Jan Jenning (Di Botcher), Iain Dean (Michael Stevenson), Teddy Gowan (Milo Clarke) and Sah Brockner (Arin Smethurst) as they feel the strain of an NHS at breaking point. 

As our first responders are stretched to the limit dealing with back-to-back accidents, emergencies, 'frequent flyers' and time-wasters, Jan makes an error that has tragic consequences and Teddy risks his own life to save a patient. 

Here Milo, who plays Teddy, lifts the lid on filming the ground-breaking episode…

• Casualty spoilers: Paramedic Teddy Gowan pushed to the LIMIT!

This is a very different episode for Casualty. What can you tell us?

"It's a format-breaking episode in that it’s shot in a documentary style. Casualty usually focuses on the big stunts but, here, you see the whole spectrum of what the paramedics have to deal with on a daily basis. It was the closest I've ever felt to being a real paramedic — and the fact the episode was entirely improvised kept us on our toes. It felt like live theatre!"

What scenes were particularly challenging to film?

"There's one scene where Teddy has to face a guy, Scott Baker, who's having a psychotic breakdown and he’s got a knife. Our director didn’t want me to meet the guest actor, Lucas Button, beforehand so that we didn’t know how each of us would react. This is exactly how things would be for a paramedic like Teddy attending a call in real life. So the very first time I see Lucas, he’s holding a knife and screaming at me through a door and, as Teddy, I have to carefully approach him and talk him round. It was exciting... but terrifying!"

The episode highlights the range of skills required to be a paramedic...

"We always have real paramedics on hand during filming; we couldn't make this show without them. Some of the stories they tell us, you wouldn't believe what they have to do. It's not just medicine. It's the physical demands of giving someone chest compressions, it's dealing with relatives, or being like a mediator or social worker. The biggest skill they have is their ability to make people feel safe and calm. Those who do this job for real have my utmost respect."

What are the wider challenges facing paramedics that are explored in this episode?

"The overarching theme is cuts to NHS funding. In the episode, there's a social media influencer called Nicky, whose injuries aren't life-threatening but she's complaining over having to wait in the ambulance to be seen as there's a backlog. After enduring the week from hell, Jan snaps and has a bit of a rant at Nicky. She makes it clear they're all working towards the same goal; the NHS, paramedics, doctors, nurses, they're not working against people, they're working for them. We all wish it wasn't this way but it is."

Although the call-outs are serious, the team lightens the mood with some lively banter...

"That's life, isn't it? For moments to hit hard and for things to really matter, lighter moments give it buoyancy. There's one scene where Iain and Teddy drop a patient off in the ED and they're like: 'Right, let's get a bacon butty.' But then, straight away, they're back out on another job. The truth is, these paramedics are probably starving most of the time."

What do you hope viewers take away from this episode?

"I hope people will understand the pressure on the NHS and what we can all do as individuals and as a country to help out; like people not calling 999 saying they can't breathe, so that an ambulance arrives quicker. Paramedics are genuinely real-life heroes. They're the people on the ground who give you that sign of hope when they arrive on the scene and you know they're there to help. But the episode also shows that paramedics see a lot in their job, which must take a toll on them mentally, emotionally and physically. They're only human."

Do you think it’s a job you could do in real life?

"I'd love to because I like helping people — but I'm a bit squeamish! I don't know how much help I'd be if I'm passed out!"

Catch this episode of Casualty on Saturday, December 10 at 8.10 pm on BBC One.

Holby City favourite Rosie Marcel has admitted she would have loved for her character Jac Naylor to move to Casualty, following Holby's cancellation after 23 years.

In a new interview, the Holby City legend spoke about her character's storyline, including her reaction when producers revealed they planned to kill her off following a devastating cancer diagnosis.

Speaking to Digital Spy at the Inside Soap Awards, Rosie said: "When they told me that's what they were going to do [for Jac's exit], I went ape****! I was not happy at all.

"I probably turned a little bit into Jac at that point in time and was like, 'You can't do that! She's been the most important character in the show for such a long time. If you kill her, you're killing people's hope'."

"So it took me a really, really long time to get on board with it and when I was finally on board with it, I really liked the way they did it. I think it was correct, it paid tribute to all the characters, not just Jac. I think that was a really important thing, that it was a big effort for everyone."

Rosie added that she would've liked to have transferred over to Holby's sister show, Casualty, adding: "I was hoping for that! I actually had that conversation with Kate Oates. I sat down with her and said, 'Okay, the show's ending. I'm thinking maybe Jac should go to Casualty'. She was like, 'No, no, we're going to kill you'.

"I think the only way we can get out of it now is if it's a Bobby Ewing situation and we all wake up after the bombing that Cameron did, it was all a dream and we've all been in comas since then. It's the only way forward!"

Holby City ended on Tuesday, March 29th and Rosie's Jac Naylor had been a huge part of the BBC soap since 2005, so she was a key member of the cast for all those years. 

As a result, her death was a tragic one, but poignant as Jac got to live on through organ donation, with an emotional monologue by Rosie Marcel at the end of the finale.

Episodes of Holby City are still available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

EastEnders viewers were upset during Wednesday’s episode (July, 20) as eagle-eyed fans recognised the old Holby City set used for hospital scenes involving Ben Mitchell (Max Bowden) and Kheerat Panesar (Jaz Singh Deol).

Holby City was axed back in March and fans are still hurt by the shock news, so seeing it pop up in EastEnders was a shock reminder for some.

During the episode, Kheerat went with Ben to the sexual health clinic to get Ben’s HIV test results, despite his refusal.

As the pair sat in the waiting room, a traumatised Ben fled after seeing a poster about male rape.

Ben was dreading the results and was in despair as Kheerat tried to reassure him and it seems Kheerat’s encouraging words worked their magic as Ben reluctantly went in for the test.

He was relieved to find out that the test was all clear, but things took a turn for the worse when Ben later took some drugs and started fighting at Peggy’s while Kheerat was drinking with Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner).

Kheerat came to the rescue once again and took him back to his house, much to the dismay of his mum, Suki (Balvinder Sopal).

Kheerat was determined to help Ben, despite him violently lashing out, but his guilt soon ate him alive and Ben admitted to killing Jags Panesar (Amar Adatia).

Despite the intense scenes unfolding, sharp-eyed fans were distracted by the fact that they had appeared to use the Holby City set…

However, some fans were more annoyed by it as it was a stark reminder of the loss of the once much-loved soap...

Although there has been no confirmation on whether they actually used the Holby City set, we wouldn't be surprised if they did as EastEnders is filmed right next door to the buildings that once belonged to Holby City.

EastEnders airs Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 7.30 pm on BBC One — see our TV Guide for full listings. You can also catch up on episodes on BBC iPlayer now. 

Holby City favourite Rosie Marcel is looking worlds away from her popular on-screen alter ego Jac Naylor in her latest Instagram post.

She swapped her Holby City scrubs for a glamorous vintage dress as she modelled for the sustainable and ethical fashion brand Love Alice.

To complete the look, the TV star wore red lipstick and her hair in a bun while she modelled a striped dress with a red shirt and yellow heels.

Holding an umbrella and a hen in each arm, she captioned the snap: “Watch this space…. Amazing time shooting some fashion with @lovealiceofficial Had the most fun with the ladies and the hens of course. Thank you @holywellhaulage for the backdrop 😏

“Alice @lovealiceofficial for allowing me to model her beautiful sustainable and ethical fashion. To the lovely Emily. Fabulous photographer @sophia_veres_photography To my style icon Beau. And Ben who gave me the confidence to do this today.

“At a size 12 and above sometimes….women can often feel like we don’t fit the normal fashion parameters. I have scarred legs, stretch marks and a baby belly that has stuck around for the last 7 years. It’s nice to be real. #realbodies #realwomen #ethicalfashion #reuse #recycle.”

Rosie was best known for her role as consultant cardiothoracic surgeon Jac Naylor in Holby City before the show was axed earlier this year after 23 years on-screen.

Fans were heartbroken as Jac tragically died from a stroke in the final episode after a long battle with her brain tumour.

At the time, Rose fought hard to keep her character alive, telling What To Watch that: “You know, when I found out that they were going to kill the character I was bereft. I fought very hard against it, actually. I think I drove everybody a little bit insane — I was a nightmare! I just didn't think it was the right thing to do at the time." 

Previous episodes of Holby City are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Holby City star Rosie Marcel has thanked the NHS in an Instagram post, after revealing she had to be taken into the emergency room and required surgery the following day.

Rosie, who played Jac Naylor in Holby City between 2005 and 2022, told fans that she was treated quickly and well looked after and that she was able to go home and rest up.

In an Instagram update, Rosie wrote: "Ended up at the old emergency room the other night. Stoke Mandeville is my new local ish hospital and they were brilliant. Ambulance crew were amazing too. 

"Had surgery the next day and home soon after that. Very very grateful to the NHS for looking after me and treating me quickly. #fentanyl #morphine all the good stuff!!! #nhs"

Following her update, she received plenty of support from fans with one joking: "I imagine you were a better patient than the last time we saw you in hospital" and another adding: "Hope you get well soon. I bet you get some funny reactions when they see Jac Naylor rock up".

The character of Jac has gone on to become a fan favourite over the years, and she was at the heart of the big Holby City finale which left fans heartbroken, as the surgeon passed away as a result of her brain tumour.

Fans didn't want Jac to die, but her death seemed poignant as she was able to donate her organs to those in need and continue to help people which she'd been passionate about doing throughout her career.

Jac's death paid tribute to the NHS too, with her voiceover in the finale saying: "This is what the NHS means to us. It's not a badge, it's not a number down the side of a bus. It's a nurse missing her break to sit with a lonely patient. It's a surgeon grinding out a 15-hour op. 

"The sound of sirens coming to the rescue, Thursday-night applause floating across the rooftops. It's all of us doing the best we can in impossible circumstances."

Holby City came to an end earlier this year after 23 years, despite petitions from fans, as the BBC cited "new opportunities" as a reason for cancelling the long-running medical drama.

The BBC's director general has revealed plans to cut the number of shows it makes, following the end of Holby City earlier this year.

Fans said an emotional goodbye to Holby City, where the final episode saw the death of much loved Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel), and her organs donated to those in need of transplants. And it looks like more big shows could also be consigned to history soon as the BBC looks to change its service and cut costs.

According to The Guardian, director general Tim Davie is preparing to announce deep cuts to BBC output over the coming weeks, due to budget cuts, which could have a lasting effect on some programmes and channels.

In addition to this, Davie said that the era of the BBC trying to do "everything with every service" was no longer viable because it ended up spreading itself "too thin", but stressed they don't want to axe entire channels. 

Speaking to attendees at the Voice of the Listener & Viewer conference, he said via Deadline: "By doing everything on every service you spread yourself too thin. People love publicly saying ‘let’s kill a channel’ but the truth is you can reduce content without doing that."

Davie also revealed plans to focus on digital and on-demand services, adding: "How much we are doing on linear, news, broadcast and then how much works well on iPlayer is the biggest decision for the BBC.

"How are we going to deliver public service media in the digital age so that people primarily consuming on-demand can get to it?."

But despite the digital-first focus, he stressed that the BBC isn't trying to mirror Netflix, saying: "We’re not trying to be Netflix, we’re going to be highly distinctive and of the highest quality."

The BBC has recently seen big numbers tuning in via iPlayer, especially when it came to the sixth and final season of Peaky Blinders, as almost half of its 8.7 million viewers watched the last season on-demand, and not when it was broadcast on BBC One.

Currently, it has not been confirmed which programmes will be affected by the proposed cuts or why, but difficult decisions could be made over the coming months due to the affected budget.

It's fair to say though that Holby won't be the last big-name show to end. But it does appear that channels like BBC Four are safe.

Holby City might be over for good, but fans can still enjoy the beloved soap by getting their hands on some exciting goodies from the BBC set.

If you'd love to get your hands on some exclusive "money can't buy" items from over the years to help commemorate Holby, then Rosie Marcel's latest giveaway is the perfect thing for you.

The Jac Naylor actress has managed to gather some big items from the series including some of Jac's wardrobe, some props, and even her prosthetic head used in the final season!

What's more, fans can enter to win a 30-minute Zoom call with Rosie, some signed photos of the cast, Jac's Holby City ID, scrubs from the show, and more, so there are plenty of goodies on offer.

Taking to Instagram, Rosie Marcel wrote: "HOLBY CITY FANS…THIS IS WHAT YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR • 🚑💙😍

"Whilst we are all still coming to terms with the show ending….I've managed to get these INCREDIBLE items from the show to help raise some funds towards the charity. We are talking amazing items, tv history items, money can’t buy items!"

The memorabilia has been entered into a series of unique raffles to support The Pack Project, a charity that is on a mission to find homes in the UK for stray and abandoned dogs from Romania, and to reduce the stray population in Romania through neutering programmes. 

Rosie Marcel has been heavily involved in supporting this charity, even appearing in their documentary called Speranţă (Hope): The Street Dogs of Romania.

To enter any of the Holby City raffles and potentially get your hands on some exclusive memorabilia, simply head to this Google Form and have a look at which one you'd like to enter. All the terms and conditions are there.

All previous seasons of Holby City are available to watch on BBC iPlayer. Meanwhile, we've penned a piece on where you can catch the stars of the show if you're missing Holby.

Holby City not only left us with a huge hole in our hearts after the final episode of the medical saga screened in March it also left a big gap in our TV viewing schedules. So, why not kill two birds with one stone — by watching your favourite Holby stars and discovering new shows at the same time?

Here’s our guide to the other great dramas and comedy series which feature the stars of Holby City…

Davood Ghadami (Eli Ebrahimi) in Taggart

This one is a double treat. Not only do you get to see Davood in one of his first big TV roles from 2010, but you also get do see him in medical scrubs again. Result! Davood joined the Glasgow-based crime show in its final series, playing pathologist Duncan Clark, helping the cops solve those ‘murrrders’ with his medical skills.

Meanwhile, if you want another peek at Davood in uniform, check out the Doctor Who story Let’s Kill Hitler (BBC iPlayer) where he plays the miniature pilot of a life-sized robot disguised as The Doctor (it’ll make sense once you watch it… honest).

Where to Watch: UKTV Play

David Ames (Dominic Copeland) in Doctor Who

Coming to Holby as a young actor, the medical drama saw David’s first long-running role, but he did clock up a memorable appearance in Doctor Who before walking the wards. David played Nathan in the 2009 episode Planet of the Dead opposite David Tennant’s Doctor and EastEnders’ Michelle Ryan (Zoe Slater). The episode saw him a passenger on a London bus that flew through a wormhole and ended up on a distant desert planet.

Where to Watch: BBC iPlayer

Alex Walkinshaw (Adrian ‘Fletch’ Fletcher) in The Bill

Alex was a stalwart at Sun Hill for over a decade playing Dale ‘Smithy’ Smith. Smithy was all-round good guy, not dissimilar to Fletch — he even had the shortened-surname nickname! Smithy got into several scrapes over the years, but sadly the one of most interest to Holby fans isn’t currently available on catch-up. A plot that ran from 2005-2006 saw Smithy get involved with gangster’s wife, Louise Larson, played by none other than Rosie Marcel aka Holby’s Jac Naylor! Keep your browsers peeled though, as new episodes do sometimes arrive on the UKTV website.

Where to Watch: UKTV Play

Belinda Owusu (Nicky McKendrick) in EastEnders

Trainee Nicky has earned her stripes at Holby, but Belinda cut her teeth in long-running drama playing another talented character — brainbox Libby ‘Squiggle’ Fox in EastEnders. You can catch Libby as Denise’s feisty daughter in the EastEnders 2010 episodes currently enjoying a repeat run on BBC iPlayer.

Where to Watch: BBC iPlayer

Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge (Josh Hudson) in Enterprice

Josh had a dramatic time on Holby, battling his eating disorder and negotiating his forbidden romance with Ange, but you can see a more fun side to Trieve in this BBC3 comedy. Trieve play Jeremiah, one half of a pair of South London entrepreneurs trying to get their business off the ground. One episode (The People v OJ) even features Holby’s Chan Woo Lim (who played Jeong-Soo Han on the show) — two for the price of one!

Where to Watch: BBC iPlayer

Bob Barrett (Sacha Levy) in Absolutely Fabulous

Prior to arriving as Holby’s big-hearted Sacha, Bob had made his name as a theatre actor, with a smattering of the usual TV guest role in The Bill, Casualty, Bad Girls and the like. One standout role, however, is in the classic sitcom Ab Fab, as a boyfriend of Saffy’s, sharing scenes with Julia Sawalha and showbiz legend June Whitfeld. You can catch him in the series four episode Parralox.

Where to Watch:  BBC iPlayer

Tyler Luke Cunningham (Louis McGerry) in Boy Meets Girl

We watched Louis and his estranged mum Max reunite when he joined the wards of Holby, with Max coming to terms with the fact Louis was now a trans man. These issues are also explored in this sweet comedy series, which sees Tyler's character Charlie befriend Judy, the series lead, who helps him move forward with his life. You can also catch Tyler as musician Kai in the acclaimed I May Destroy You (BBC iPlayer)

Where to Watch: Amazon Prime

Jaye Jacobs (Donna Jackson) in Waterloo Road

Swapping the resus room for the staff room, Jaye had her first stint in Holby from 2004 to 2011, before heading to Waterloo Road as Deputy Headteacher Sian Diamond in the eighth series of the school drama. Her role is worth checking out for another reason — Holby's Alex Walkinshaw (Fletch) plays her hubby, PE teacher Jez.

Where to Watch: BBC iPlayer

Jo Martin (Max McGerry) in Doctor Who

The reaction to Holby’s axing certainly proved that the show has got a huge fan following, but that’s nothing compared to the fan following for Doctor Who, as Jo discovered when she took on a role in 2020 in the episode Fugitive of the Judoon. To be fair, her part was pretty pivotal — a never-before seen incarnation of the Doctor — and she proved to be a big hit in the role, reprising the role in the finale and again in 2021’s Flux series.

Where to Watch: BBC iPlayer

Dawn Steele (Ange Goddard) in Monarch of the Glen

Before Angie, Dawn took the lead in this cosy Highland drama, which was a big Sunday night hit in the noughties. Dawn plays Lexie, a worker in a crumbling highland estate whose will they/won’t they romance with Laird Archie formed the backbone of the first few series. The show also starred Hamish Clarke as Duncan — who appeared several times as Ken Davies in Holby, and reprised the role for the final time in the last episode of the show.

Where to Watch: Prime Video

Or… just watch old episodes of Holby again!

If you want the full Holby experience, a run of episodes from 2015 is currently available on UKTV Play — and you can watch them free of charge. You’re welcome!

Where to Watch: UKTV Play

Holby City came to an emotional end this week, with fans saying goodbye to the beloved medical soap after 23 years on the air.

But those already missing some of their Holby City favourites will be pleased to know that Fletch (Alex Walkinshaw) will be making a special appearance in Casualty this weekend where he'll be paying tribute to Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel).

In the devastating Holby finale, Jac Naylor died as a result of her brain tumour, after attempts to have it removed failed. This left her colleagues and friends heartbroken, and in Fletch's upcoming appearance we'll see him grieving over the huge loss.

The news was confirmed in a social media clip, which read: "@WalkinshawAlex came back to the Casualty set for a very special scene Tune in to see Fletch in #Casualty this Saturday at 8:35pm on BBC One."

• EXCLUSIVE: Holby City star Rosie Marcel on Jac Naylor’s fate: ‘I fought hard against it…’

In the clip, Alex discusses his upcoming cameo appearance saying: "We are filming a scene today with myself and Derek, discussing the death of Jac Naylor, the nice things she did and the relationship we had. It's a really nice little scene. It's a short visit but that's what we're doing today."

It also teases a memorial service for Jac Naylor, with a poster that reads "join us to remember Jac Friday 7pm Hospital Chapel", so it's looking like Fletch will be a big part of this emotional moment.

Alex also told fans it was 'lovely' to return to the Casualty set and that the experience was 'very familiar and welcoming', adding: 'I did start my Fletch journey on Casualty and I've been away for quite a long time.'

Fletch will be appearing on Saturday's (April 2) episode of Casualty and you can learn more about the upcoming storylines by visiting our Casualty spoilers page. 

There's plenty of drama coming up as Dylan Keogh (William Beck) feels betrayed, Paula’s (Rosie Jones) past jeopardises her future and Iain Dean (Michael Stevenson) risks his life to help a victim of modern slavery. 

Casualty continues on BBC1 at 8:30pm on Saturday April 2, with episodes also available on BBC iPlayer. Though Holby City has ended, previous episodes are available on iPlayer too.

Will Holby City return? It's the question every Holby fan wants to be answered. 

At the moment the BBC has no plans for a revival, but that far from means the show will never come back.

Soaps have returned from the dead before. Waterloo Road is a perfect example. Waterloo Road originally aired between 2006 and 2015, boasting a great cast including Jill Halfpenny, Neil Morrissey and Angela Griffin.

However, it looked doomed to never return until the BBC made the shock announcement in 2021 that it would be back. Now Waterloo Road fans can look forward to Waterloo Road season 11 later in 2022.

In a press release, the BBC said at the time: "The spotlight on education in the UK is more intense now than ever before, with awareness of the challenges that teachers, parents and pupils face even more pronounced amidst the ongoing pandemic. 

"Waterloo Road will use its rich history of telling entertaining and gripping human stories while tackling the important issues of the day."

And Waterloo Road isn’t the only soap to return. Does anyone remember ITV favourite Crossroads?!

If you thought everyone was stunned when the BBC decided to bring back Waterloo Road, it's nothing compared to the shock when ITV resurrected Crossroads!

Crossroads originally ran on ITV from 1964 to 1988 and was famous for its wobbly sets. Set in a Midlands motel — yep, really — it seemed to have been long past its best when ITV suddenly brought it back in 2001. The idea was to glam it up but it didn’t work and was axed again after only two years.

However, unlike Crossroads, Holby City hasn’t dated…

Will Holby City return? If so how?

Well, the most likely way is that viewer pressure will make the BBC perform a U-turn. If the BBC struggles to match the ratings it was getting for Holby it might take the decision to bring it back. 

Another broadcaster could also step in and make the show. While it’s very expensive to make a soap, the loyal audience could tempt a broadcaster.

We imagine that Neighbours fans, who are also seeing their favourite soap axed, will likewise hope for a reprieve.

Are there any other soaps that could be brought back?

The Bill springs to mind. While, like Waterloo Road perhaps more of a drama than a soap, The Bill was certainly long-running and hugely popular. Like Holby, the subject matter doesn’t date and there must be plenty of plotlines for a show set around the police. ITV ran The Bill from 1983 to 2010, but alas there’s no sign of it ever returning despite still having a strong fan base.

Brookside is another soap many would also like to see make a comeback, but perhaps not Eldorado?! Or Triangle?! Triangle was a series set onboard a North Sea Ferry! We wonder why that didn’t last!!

*Warning - spoilers below for the last ever episode of Holby City*

Holby City fans have said a tearful goodbye to the BBC medical drama after 23 years on our screens, and now Tuesday nights will never be the same again. 

It was announced that the much-loved show would be taken off air by the BBC last year to 'make more programmes across the UK and to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country', however, the decision left the army of Holby City fans across the country devastated. 

On Tuesday, 29th March 2022, Holby City fans were treated to an epic send-off from the show, bringing the journeys and storylines of the beloved characters to a close after fans have invested decades of Tuesday evenings into them. 

• EXCLUSIVE: Holby City star Rosie Marcel on Jac Naylor’s fate: ‘I fought hard against it…’

The ending was certainly a fitting tribute to the show and also the NHS, and fans took to social media to share their bittersweet sadness at the fact their favourite show had finally come to an end.

Viewers were devastated to see legendary character Jac Naylor lose her battle with a brain tumor after her life-saving and hugely risky operation didn't go to plan in the penultimate episode. 

Despite her friends and colleagues working desperately to save her, eventually, Jac died on her own terms, having taken Adrian ‘Fletch’ Fletcher aside and asked him to help her write a living will, refusing any more medical interventions.

However, while fans found the ending beautifully fitting, they are all saying the same thing about the fact Tuesday nights will never be the same again on the BBC...

Instead of Holby City at 7.50pm next week, the BBC will be showing an episode of MasterChef 2022 at 8pm, and while there are lots of MasterChef fans across the country, it's not the same. Tuesday nights are Holby nights, and always will be. 

• Holby City: Top 5 moments from the last EVER episode!
• The best quotes from Holby City’s final episode revealed

You can watch (or re-watch!) the Holby City finale, along with other episodes on BBC iPlayer. 

*Warning: Emotional and packed with spoilers from the last Holby City episode!*

The last ever Holby City episode opened with characteristic gallows humour from Jac Naylor and ended with her narrating the closing scenes. As the credits rolled a poignant rendition of the well-known theme tune was played, while photographs of the cast throughout the show’s twenty-three-year history were displayed.

Jam-packed with emotion, hope, loss, fondness and, as ever, sharp, funny and punchy dialogue, What to Watch has gathered the best quotes from Jac Naylor’s opening quips to her emotional end narration…

Holby City favourites Jac Naylor and Reverend Lexy, side-by-side in hospital beds

Reverend Lexy: “Life’s full of little surprises.” 

Jac Naylor: “Thank you, Forrest Gump!”

Nicky McKendrick asks Jac for advice before performing her first surgery on a beating heart

Nicky McKendrick: “I’ve never done one of these before…”

Jac Naylor: “Just get your ass in there and do the job. Screw it up and you’ll have me to answer to.”

Nicky McKendrick: “Don’t I always.”

Words to live by...

Fletch and Jac, when asks him to get her a pen and paper

Fletch: “I’ve got to warn you, I was the king of noughts and crosses at my school.”

We don't doubt it!

Jac then asks him to write her an advance directive refusing any more treatment

Fletch: “Why now?”

Jac Naylor: “Because it’s time. Because I'm tired, Fletch... Write the letter.”

Fletch: “I just hate the thought of you giving up.”

Jac Naylor: “Giving up… Let me tell you about giving up. Letting this thing take control, wipe out my mind, leaving me delirious and doubly incontinent. That is giving up… I have never been clearer about anything in my life. Please Fletch, do this one thing for me.”

We've got something in our eye...

Jac to Elliot Hope when he wants to try another treatment…

Jac Naylor: “You're already done everything you could.”

Elliot Hope: “I just want to give you another chance.”

Jac Naylor: “It’s impossible.”

Elliot Hope: “I thought you didn’t believe in impossible.”

Jac Naylor: “I don’t want you taking me back into theatre and then blaming yourself when things don’t work out again… What I need is some peace and quiet.”

Something it both eyes, actually...

Jac Naylor’s last words…

Sacha Levy: “Elliot has booked you in for a scan. I've drawn the short straw and I’m riding shotgun.”

Jac Naylor: “You two really are a pair of old women.”

Sacha Levy: “Well, humour a sad, old woman… You love me really.”

Jac Naylor: “You know I do.”

At this point, Jac suffers a stroke and falls unconscious. Fletch is forced to tell her friends that she’s got an ADRT (Advanced decision to refuse treatment) as they prepare to save her... Let's be honest, we're crying.

• EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Rosie Marcel speaks out about Jac Naylor's death

Tributes to Jac after news spread about her death

Hospital CEO Henrik Hanssen: “Her absence will be felt for years to come."

Transplant surgeon Mo Effanga (Chizzy Akudolu) on learning of Jac’s death: “Calling the shots till the last.. I thought she’d find a way to beat it.” 

And later: “She’s making a difference to a lot of lives.”

Holby City friends fondly remembering Jac at her bedside

Nicky McKendrick: “I remember the first time she called me foetus. No one had ever spoken to me like that.”

Sacha Levy: “She once said I looked like a bin bag full of yoghurt.” 

Elliot Hope: “Paddington Bear with a stethoscope.”

Fletch: “Poundshop Pearly King.” 

Nicky McKendrick: “And then one day, she called me Nicky.”

During the transplant surgery

Elliot Hope: “She’ll be with us all the way.”

After Jac’s transplant

Fletch: “Gotta go. Love you Jac.”

Jac Naylor narrating over the final scenes

Jac Naylor: “It took me a long time to find a place I belonged. Somewhere to call home. 

“It wasn’t with my mother or the carers she dumped me on when she walked out of my life. It certainly wasn’t with any man. 

“It was when I first walked into a theatre, and breathed in that rarified air, realising my hands could save lives. I knew then, on day one, I'd found my place in the world. Somewhere I belonged. 

“This is what the NHS means to us. Not a badge on a cabinet minister’s lapel. Not a number down the side of a bus.

“It’s a nurse missing her break to sit with a lonely patient. A surgeon grinding out a 15-hour op. The sound of sirens coming to the rescue. Thursday night applause floating across the rooftops. 

“It’s all of us doing the best we can in impossible circumstances. It’s something to believe in. It’s home.”

Something tells us, this is going to be a re-watch episode...

Jac Naylor - Rosie Marcel

Henrik Hanssen - Guy Henry

Lexy Dunblane - Jenny Howe

Fletch - Alex Walkinshaw

Nicky McKendrick - Belinda Owusu

Sacha Levy - Bob Barrett

Elliot Hope - Paul Bradley

Mo Effanga - Chizzy Akudolu

There are some characters that live on in your mind long after the credits stop rolling. It’s fair to say for Holby City fans Jac Naylor is one of those characters.

We caught up with Rosie Marcel, who has played the formidable and inspirational surgeon since 2005, to talk about Jac Naylor's swan song.

Warning: Below this point, there are spoilers about the final Holby City episode. Ready? Here we go…

In the final episode of the series, Holby City (Tuesday, March 29, 2022) closed its hospital doors for good after twenty three years of delicious drama, heart-stopping medical procedures, and many, many, MANY affairs of the heart in an emotional finale.

The answer to the question ‘How do you end a much-loved show and pay tribute to its many characters?’ was finally revealed. And it was as brutal as it was beautiful.

There were reconciliations, reunions and more than one show favourite seemed to find their place in the world. But it was the death of iconic surgeon Jac Naylor that emotionally hammered home that Holby is well and truly over.

Throughout the last episode, it became clear that Jac was losing her battle with her brain tumour as she became weaker. Knowing what was on the cards, she pulled Adrian ‘Fletch’ Fletcher aside and asked him to help her write a living will, refusing any more medical interventions.

A short time later Jac suffered a stroke, having just told Sacha Levy that she loved him. Then it was a race against time for Jac’s distraught friends to organise the donation of her organs…

In the closing scenes Jac Naylor’s nearest and dearest fulfilled her final wishes, with her organs going on to save lives.

We talked to Rosie Marcel who has played the Holby City favourite since 2005. Here she reveals her feelings on Jac Naylor’s demise and saying a permanent goodbye to the hospital drama...

Holby City EXCLUSIVE: We anticipate Holby will be up for awards after that finale…

Rosie Marcel: "I really hope we are. I’ve always been very vocal about this - as a show Holby City is incredibly overlooked. It’s never put up for awards and never wins awards. This is one of the best shows the BBC has ever had. The team has given their soul to working on these final storylines. I hope and pray that they get some recognition. I think we did an amazing job on our show. It's very hard to be in the position that we’re going to fizzle out and not get the recognition we deserve."

No one can accuse Holby of fizzling out after the last few months!

Rosie Marcel: "I hope not. They’ve done a great job, haven't they? They really pulled it out of the bag for the last six months. The last four episodes were just so emotionally draining, but so beautifully written and directed by our long running directors who did a fabulous job."

Was there a sense of grief while filming the final episodes?

Rosie Marcel: "We all went through emotions [of grief]. We were all angry at one point, bereft at another. For the last six weeks of the show, we were all just bursting into tears sporadically."

How did you feel about Jac’s death while filming?

Rosie Marcel: "On a personal note I never reconciled with the fact Jac was going to die. I understood why they did it but, for me, having been that character for 16 years… the idea of never being able to play her was emotionally very difficult. It’s like bereavement. Yeah, we all went through weird phases!"

How did you deal with the gruelling filming schedule? Jac is front and centre until the very end… 

Rosie Marcel: "It took its toll on everybody in different ways. Personally, I ate rubbish for the last six weeks! I was only able to work three days a week unfortunately, because I was unwell for the last six to eight weeks of the show. So they had to work around a doctor’s note for me. I just let myself go physically and mentally for those last few months."

It’s poignant that, right until the end, Jac gives everything to the NHS, and lives on in a way…

Rosie Marcel: "That was the important part. 

"You know, when I found out that they were going to kill the character I was bereft. I fought very hard against it, actually. I think I drove everybody a little bit insane -  I was a nightmare! I just didn't think it was the right thing to do at the time."

Did that change for you?

Rosie Marcel: "Yes, when it was explained to me properly about how it was going to be done. It’s a beautiful story about staying positive and how we carry on - and how doctors carry on - no matter what they've lost in their lives. They are there to protect and help.  

"When I was told about Jac’s organs going to others and her heart going to Lexy, I understood it more. It became more of a celebration of someone's life, who they are, and what the NHS meant to them. But I haven't seen it. I can't watch it."

What do you hope Holby City’s legacy will be?

Rosie Marcel: "I think the show’s legacy should be about the NHS. You know, the relationships that people have in the NHS and what they give up for people that they don't know. Not to under-appreciate or overlook what people give up to work for the NHS. I think that's a really important message."

*Warning: Contains Spoilers for the last episode of Holby City*

It's the day Holby City fans have been dreading - on Tuesday night the last EVER episode of the BBC1 medical drama aired.

Having been on our screens for 23 years, the series intended to go out with a bang - and that it most certainly did. 

As Holby stalwart Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) finally succumbed to her brain tumour, there was unlikely to be a dry eye in the house. But the brilliant finale also gave us happiness for Dom and Hanssen and saw the return of a host of Holby favourites from years past.

Here are the Top 5 moments that made the Holby City finale must-see TV...

1. Jac’s BIG decision

If there’s one thing we know about Jac Naylor it’s that SHE always likes being in control. That means calling the shots in death just as she did in life!

Having resigned herself to the fact her brain tumour is inoperable, when Jac summoned pal Adrian ‘Fletch’ Fletcher (Alex Walkinshaw) to get a pen and paper, he thought she wanted to pass the time in her hospital bed with a game of noughts and crosses. 

So Fletch was both shocked and angry when Jac declares she wanted an ADRT (an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment) - and for him to be her witness. Jac was adamant: she did NOT want any more medical intervention.

As Fletch asked: ‘Why now?’ Jac replied: ‘Because it’s time. Because I’m tired, Fletch.’

Fletch tried to talk her out of it, but Jac quietly begged: ‘Fletch, do this one thing for me.’

2. Friends to the end…

Unaware that Jac now had an ADRT in place, Elliot Hope (Paul Bradley) ordered a scan and Jac’s best pal Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett) came to take her down for it. As they exchanged some light banter, Sacha said: ‘You love me really’ and when Jac mumbled a reply, he knew something was wrong and raised the alarm. 

As Elliot, Sacha and Max McGerry (Jo Martin) tried to revive Jac, Fletch turned up and informed them all about the ADRT and told them to stop. A devastated Sacha begged Max to give Jac medication to keep her alive. When she refused and Fletch and Elliot supported her, Sacha wanted to administer the drugs himself, but Elliot stopped him, gently saying: ‘It’s Jac’s decision, we might not like it, but we have to respect it.’

This entire scene had us reaching for the Kleenex, but the real tear-jerker moment came when, as the others left, Fletch sat by Jac’s bedside (facing away from the camera) and could be heard quietly sobbing over the loss of his dear mate. This was a huge pay-off for fans, who have really invested in Jac and Fletch's friendship.

3. Heart-to-Heart

Meanwhile, it was a big day for ambitious young medic Nicky McKendrick (Belinda Owusu), who had to carry out complex heart surgery… on a beating heart. It was the first time she’d performed such a major procedure and, earlier in the day, excitedly went to tell Jac, the mentor who taught Nicky everything she knows. 

When the operation was a huge success, Nicky can’t wait to rush out of theatre to tell Jac the good news - she even cheekily asked clinical lead Eli Ebrahimi (Davood Ghadami) to close up. But when Nicky reached Jac’s room on the ward and learned from Fletch that she had died, Nicky broke down.

4. Let there be life…

Jac spent her whole career saving lives and she had vowed to let others live on after her death. After Reverend Lexy Dunblane (Jenny Howe) received Jac's heart, the process then began of donating Jac's remaining organs to needy recipients, with Holby favourite Mo Effanga (Chizzy Akudolu) returning as transplant co-ordinator. 

Jac’s passing is extremely poignant in that, as the character's voiceover is heard revealing the names, ages and occupations of each transplant patient, viewers saw her organs being transported to different hospitals and into the hands of some familiar Holby faces, namely Ric Griffin (Hugh Quarshie), Serena Campbell (Catherine Russell), Bernie Wolfe (Jemma Redgrave) and, last but by no means least, Jac’s one true love, Joseph Byrne (Luke Roberts). 

5. And love…

As the heartbreaking episode drew to a close, there was joy for some of our characters. Dominic Copeland (David Ames) was officially welcomed into Ange’s (Dawn Steele) family and Holby CEO Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry) travelled up to Leeds to declare his love for Russ (Simon Slater)! 

And, of course, there’s the place that, over the past 23 years, we’ve all grown to love: and that’s Holby. In the drama's final moments, as our favourite characters pulled together to tend to an emergency, the medical drama signed off with a love letter to the NHS and the real-life doctors and nurses who will still be saving lives long after the final credits roll. 

Thanks for the memories Holby. We will miss you.

The moment that Holby City fans have been dreading has finally arrived because tonight's episode of the much-loved BBC medical drama is the last one. But what time is the last episode of Holby City on tonight? 

After 23 years of explosive drama, heart-stopping surgeries and some very tangled love affairs, the series brings us an emotional finale that will satisfy loyal fans.

Following on from last week's intense, risky operation to remove Jac Naylor’s (Rosie Marcel) brain tumour, emotions are running high, as everyone involved - including Elliot Hope (Paul Bradley) and Adrian 'Fletch' Fletcher (Alex Walkinshaw) - considers what’s next. But can they save their beloved Jac before the doors of Holby City close for good? 

Tonight's episode is one you definitely don't want to miss. Here's everything you need to know about the Holby City finale... 

What time is the last episode of Holby City on tonight?

The last ever Holby City airs Tuesday, March 29 at 7.50pm on BBC One. 

You will also be able to catch up on BBC iPlayer once the episode has aired. 

What happens in the last ever Holby City?

Jac’s protege Nicky McKendrick (Belinda Owusu) performs her first surgery on a beating heart, Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry) makes a decision about where his heart lies, and the team rally around Reverend Lexy, as she faces an uncertain future...

Of course, it just wouldn’t be a fitting finale to a long-running drama without some old faces returning. 

Before the credits roll, many of Holby’s best-loved characters make a special appearance. Among the guest stars are Chizzy Akudolu, Hugh Quarshie, Catherine Russell, Jemma Redgrave, and Luke Roberts - better known as Jac’s first true love, Joseph Byrne! 

• Holby City spoilers: Who will decide Jac Naylor’s fate?

Will Jac die in Holby City?

Last week's penultimate episode saw Jac's close friends and colleagues perform a risky operation to try and remove her brain tumour, but things didn't quite go to plan when the tumour turned out to be bigger than anyone expected. 

Not only that, but Max and Elliot also faced a race against time to get the operation done before Jac had a stroke on the operating table. After waking from the operation, Jac assumed all had gone to plan and was flooded with relief that she'd survived the risky surgery. However, it was left to Elliot to tell Jac that they couldn't remove all the tumour. 

So with her life still in grave danger, will Elliot and his team manage to find another way to save their beloved Jac? Or is this the end of the line for her, as well as the BBC medical drama? 

The last ever Holby City airs Tuesday, March 29 at 7.50pm on BBC One.

23 years after its 1999 debut Holby City has become so much more than a spin-off to Casualty. Sadly, this week the medical drama full of inspirational medics with (very!) colourful lives closes its doors for good. But not before saying a heartfelt goodbye. 

• Want to know how it all ends? Check out our Holby City spoilers.

Here, Rosie Marcel, Alex Walkinshaw, Bob Barrett, Guy Henry, Jaye Jacobs, Dawn Steele, David Ames and Belinda Owusu reveal what working on Holby City has meant to them...

Rosie Marcel, 44, has played iconic Holby City surgeon Jac Naylor since 2005

On the final episode… “It’s beautifully written and directed. They’ve done an absolutely fabulous job. Every single one of us is proud of what we achieved.

“It’s an emotional celebration of these much loved characters. Everyone gets to tie up their story. It's a nod to everybody that worked on the show.”

On Jac Naylor… “Jac’s become my best friend over the years. I've learned to be a stronger, more independent woman because of her. I’m amazed at the beautiful messages I get. She's affected people in such a positive way. The idea of never playing her again is emotional.”

On Holby City’s legacy…  “I think it’s about the NHS - the relationships people have, and what they give up for people they don’t know. I hope we’ve portrayed that in a respectable way. Also - ‘Be more Jac!’ If there's something that you want to change about yourself, do it! 

“This is one of the best shows. I’ve been blessed with the best storylines and best one liners. Whenever I’d read the scripts there was always something in there that I’d cry laughing at. We had a lot of fun.”

Alex Walkinshaw, 47, has starred as loveable nurse Adrian ‘Fletch’ Fletcher since 2012 - first as an ED nurse on Casualty before moving upstairs to Holby in 2014.

On the final episode… “It’s a huge episode, and a good way to go out. I can’t wait for people to see it.”

On Fletch… “I’ve really enjoyed Fletch being a single dad. Getting it right, getting it massively wrong, and trying to repair the damage. It was great to work with the young actors playing his four children, and watching them grow up and move onto other things. That’s probably been my best delight.”

On Holby City’s legacy… “You know, we’re all really passionate about Holby. It’s such a cool place to work - there have been so many different actors, directors, and scripts. And everyone, the cast and crew, have great friendships. When you invest in something it’s sad when it finishes.”

Bob Barrett, 55, has played compassionate consultant Sacha Levy since 2010.

On the final epsiode… “It’s an incredible and fitting ending. I feel privileged to see it home.”

On Sacha Levy… “When I first came into Holby, it was supposed to be for two episodes! Sacha was everyone’s friend and very happy in his own skin.”

On Holby City’s legacy… “I’ve got to work with the best people. It’s like a family.”

Guy Henry, 61, has played Henrik Hanssen since 2010…

On the final episode… “It is primarily a return to the core values of the show and to pay tribute to the NHS. it will be moving - and shocking.”

On playing Henrik Hanssen… “When I first auditioned the character was called Arnold Brown. Because of the pedantic way I spoke, they decided to make him Swedish!

“He might have a twinkle of happiness in the end, old Henrik…

“I will miss him. I’ve taken Percy, the fish from his desk!”

On Holby City’s legacy… “It’s the loveliest show you could work for. For guest actors it was famously one of the most pleasant shows to come on to. It was a well oiled machine.”

Jaye Jacobs, 39, has starred as warmhearted, hardworking nurse Donna Jackson since 2004. In that time she’s loved, lost, and loved some more!

On the final episode… “We’ve really honoured the hardcore, long term watchers. I’m really proud and pleased with the way it's gone.”

On Donna Jackson… “We used to call her ‘Dirty Donna!’ It was a bit harsh but there was a lot of fun to be had with it! I’ve enjoyed her loves - the men, and the women!

“My favourite storyline was about her dad [Derek], played by Clarke Peters.”

“There’s a part of me now that is her.”

On Holby City’s legacy… “We were talking about what we’ll miss the most, and I didn't have to think about it - my friends. Lifelong friends. Seeing your friends every single day that's what I will miss most.”

Dawn Steele, 46, rocked up as consultant Ange Godard in 2019, and it was revealed that she was Dom Copeland’s biological mum.

On the final episode… “Our final story is proper emotional. It ties things up and does Ange and Dom’s story justice.’

On playing Ange Godard… “There's been so much to explore in Ange and Dom’s relationship. It’s been really fun to do. I’ve enjoyed the complexity of Ange.”

On Holby City’s legacy… “This is a very special job. We are all good friends... And that makes it all the harder.”

David Ames, 38, first starred as Dom Copeland in 2013…

On the final episode… “It's a very big responsibility, and one we don't take lightly.

“It’s super emotional. It represents the NHS fantastically, as we hope we have done throughout the show. We hope that what we depict is representative of the way that they go about their jobs and their lives, and constantly strive to help us no matter what.”

On Dom Copeland… “I've spent a quarter of my life in Holby! Dom’s domestic abuse storyline with Isaac Mayfield (Mark Elliott) reached a lot of people. He’s now built a familial unit about him. And I’ve made amazing friends. Dawn and I went on holiday together!”

On Holby City’s legacy… “We enjoyed working together and bringing these stories to life. The great thing about a medical drama is that you get fresh people coming in every episode and they breathe life into it. 

“I’ve made lifelong friends here. It holds a massive chunk of my heart.”

Belinda Owusu, 32, has played surgeon Nicky McKendrick since 2017…

On the final episode… “Everybody had the feeling of it being important - from story planning right down to us on the floor. We’re trying to leave it all out there, so to speak. I think it’s leaving it with a nice feeling in mind. You don’t want to go out on a downer, but it still has to be big enough to say goodbye to a show that’s been with everyone for so long.”

On Nicky McKendrick… “You see Nicky take her place in the world. She’s becoming the person and the doctor that Jac spent her time trying to create.”

On Holby City’s legacy… “You're not always born to the parents who will mould you and shape you throughout your life. A lot of that comes from the teachers you have and the people you look up to. It doesn’t change, no matter how old you get. It’s been nice to channel that through our characters.

“I'm so grateful to this show. It's been such a wonderful, incredibly rewarding experience. Even though it is coming to an end, I hope that the fans enjoy the last episodes. It was a real gift to play Nicky."

Below Holby City stars pay tribute to their loyal fans...

The final episode of Holby City airs on BBC1 on Tuesday 29 March 2022 at 7.50pm. It will be available on BBC iPlayer after transmission. 

Holby City star Guy Henry has teased what fans can expect from the show's final ever episode.

After 23 years, BBC1 medical drama Holby City will be closing its doors for good as the show comes to an end.

And Guy - best known to millions as the hospital’s mysterious CEO Henrik Hanssen - has described the final episode as ‘spectacular’.

“I think it's spectacular in human terms, as opposed to special effects and murders and things blowing up," says Guy."I think Holby has always excelled at trying to portray the lives of hardworking people… when it reflects the real world as much as we can. And I think the spectacular ending, comes from all those human relationships and what happens to these real people.

“There are no bombs. It's all to do with the characters that people have got to know over the years and feel all the better for it. How, though, do you finish 23 years of a weekly story focused on these people? I think it will be moving and shocking."

• Our Top 10 Holby City characters of all time

While the goings-on of the fictional hospital might be coming to an end, Guy revealed that the last ever Holby will, once again, be paying homage to our real-life doctors and nurses…

“What it is primarily is a return to some of the core values of the show and to pay tribute to the NHS and the proper people who work in that environment,’ he says. ‘It’s a celebration of the NHS and its staff.”

It’s hard to imagine a Holby without the brooding, enigmatic Mr Hanssen, who's been looming around its corridors since 2010. 

A trusty CEO and brilliant surgeon, Hanssen's always embraced new talent, taking namely Sahira Shah (Laila Rouass), Tara Lo (Jing Lusi) and Oliver Valentine (James Anderson) under his wing. But he's always kept his private life private. 

That all changed when, in 2012, it was revealed Hanssen actually has a son with a woman, Maja, who he had abandoned while pregnant 25 years prior. Hanssen finally meet his son, Frederik (Billy Postlethwaite), who in 2017 joined Holby as a registrar. 

After weeks of clashing with his father, Fredrik leaves but later returns with a gun killing Raf di Lucca (Joe McFadden) and severely wounding Oliver Valentine (James Anderson) and Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel). In a stand-off with police, Fredrik is shot and killed.

But it turns out this wasn't the only turmoil Hanssen had suffered in his life. Last year, when Sahira Shah's father Reyhan (Raad Rawi) was admitted to the hospital, Hanssen wanted as little as possible to do with his treatment. 

His reasons soon became clear when a traumatised Hanssen was forced to admit Reyhan had sexually abused him as a child. Feeling disgusted with himself, Hanssen begun self-harming.

Hanssen has certainly been through a lot of trauma during his time at Holby - so can we expect a happy ending for him?

"Mr Hanssen goes in a direction that I think is interesting; he might even have a twinkle of happiness in the end, old Henrik," says Guy. "I adore Henrik, he’s a great, strange, man and I will miss playing him."

Watch the last ever episode of Holby City on Tuesday March 19 at 7.50pm on BBC1.

It's a sad time for Holby City fans as the doors of BBC1's famous TV hospital are closing after 23 years. With some incredible storylines, Holby's also given us some of the most iconic characters to appear on screen. 

So What To Watch's very own Holby superfan Victoria Wilson has been back through the archives to honour the 10 standout characters that have graced Holby's wards, along with their finest moments. Has your favourite made the list?

Holby City's greatest characters...

10. Chrissie Williams (Tina Hobley)

Years on Holby: June 2001-June 2013

As Holby's ward sister, Chrissie Williams (Tina Hobley) had high standards when it came to the nurses in her charge... and the men in her life. The hospital's resident "man-eater", Chrissie had affairs, most notably, with cardiothoracic consultant Alistair Taylor (Dominic Jephcott), obstetrics consultant Owen Davies (Mark Moraghan) and Ed Keating (Rocky Marshall). 

Chrissie also had a relationship with orthopedic consultant Dan Hamilton (Adam Astill), who came out as gay on what was to be their wedding day! Chrissie would go on to marry Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett) but the pair later separated and Chrissie fled to Australia with their young son, Daniel.

Standout Moment

In 2007, Chrissie began a relationship with charming cardiothoracic consultant Stuart McElroy (Connor Mullan), who soon revealed his sinister side. When Chrissie rejects him over his alcoholism, he takes her hostage in an operating theatre and slashes her face with a scalpel. Drunk, he then ties her up, gags her mouth and stitches her face up, but does such a bad job, Chrissie is scarred for life.

9. Elliot Hope (Paul Bradley)

Years on Holby: November 2005-September 2015

They say you should never judge a book by its cover and that can certainly be said of heart surgeon Elliot Hope (Paul Bradley). While he may come across as a bumbling eccentric, his surgical expertise is second to none. 

Always wanting to be at the forefront of medicals innovations, Elliot saved the lives of many patients with his pioneering Herzig and Kibo devices. He became a mentor to doctors such as Oliver Valentine (James Anderson) and Tara Lo (Jing Lusi), and something of a father figure to Jac Naylor. In 2015, Elliot left Holby for a new life in Pakistan with his old friend Brigitte.

Standout Moment

Holby's never been a show to shy away from challenging storylines and, in 2006, the show explored the emotive issue of assisted suicide. Elliot's wife Gina (Gillian Bevan) suffers from motor neurone disease and wants to end her life, so the couple travel to Switzerland, where euthanasia is legal. Elliot is by her side as she dies. The following year, Elliot considers suicide himself but soon realises life is worth living. Actor Paul quit the show in 2015 after 10 years as Elliot. He reprised the role in 2019 and returned again for Holby's final episodes to try and save Jac.

8. Ric Griffin (Hugh Quarshie)

Years on Holby: October 2001 to November 2020

Having appeared in over 500 episodes, Ric (Hugh Quarshie) is the show’s longest-serving character and he’s certainly been at the centre of some major storylines. Always Mr Reliable at work, you could say Ric put his career before his personal life. He’s been married five times — twice to consultant Lola Griffin — and enjoyed several other romances including an engagement to Senior House Officer Sam Kennedy, a long-term flirtation with former flame, Diane Lloyd, and an affair with Michael Spence’s wife, Annalese. 

In 2008, Ric was left devastated when his eldest son died of a drug overdose then, in 2018, Ric was sent to prison for assaulting the son of a deceased patient. A year later, Ric was diagnosed with a brain tumour. In 2020, Hugh quit Holby after 19 years.

Standout Moment

In 2008, Ric showed what a first-class surgeon he is when he led the ground-breaking operation to separate the conjoined Tan twins. The operation was a success and the twins returned 11 years later when one became ill — could he come to their rescue again?

7. Serena Campbell (Catherine Russell)

Years on Holby: May 2012-February 2022

When she wasn't running AAU with an iron fist, general surgeon Serena Campbell (Catherine Russell) could be found in her office with a bottle of Chiraz. Candid, reliable and always professional, Serena knew how to remain calm in a crisis, but her cool demeanour often meant that she dealt with personal problems in secret. 

This was never more apparent than when her mother Adrienne (Sandra Voe) was diagnosed with vascular dementia. As Adrienne became more agressive, Serena kept the severity of her mother's illness a secret, worried her colleagues would think she couldn't cope. When Adrienne's dementia worsened, she asked Serena to help end her life but Serena refused. Adrienne died shortly after suffering another stroke.

Standout Moment

When trauma surgeon Bernie Wolfe (Jemma Redgrave) arrived at Holby, she and Serena would vie for supremacy on AAU. The ice soon thawed between the warring women, however, and events took an unexpected turn when, after battling to save Fletch, who'd been stabbed by a patient, the tired and weary pair slumped to the floor outside the operating theatre, where they shared a kiss! As the two became an item, Holby fans lapped up the union, which became affectionately referred to as #Berena on social media. Having both left the hospital, Serena and Bernie returned for Holby’s final episodes and revealed they were engaged and set to marry.

6. Dominic Copeland (David Ames)

Years on Holby: April 2013-present

Of all the Holby characters, Dominic Copeland (David Ames) has arguably been on the biggest journey. Upon his arrival, Dom quickly earned himself a bad boy reputation for stitching up fan favourite Antoine Malick (Jimmy Akingbola). Dom left the hospital in disgrace, but returned in 2014 and soon formed a close-knit friendship with fellow medics Zosia March (Camilla Arfwedson) and Arthur Digby (Rob Ostlere), who died of cancer in 2017. 

Dom has also been VERY unlucky in love, having tumultuous relationships with patient Lee Cannon (Jamie Nichols) and registrar Isaac Mayfield (Marc Elliot), and a doomed marriage to Ben 'Lofty' Chiltern (Lee Mead). Dom's family life proved even more complicated when he learned he'd been adopted by Carole Copeland (Julia Deakin) and his real mum was in fact consultant Ange Godard (Dawn Steele)! Carole recently passed away, an event which symbolised how little boy Dom had grown into a man.

Standout Moment

Holby shone a spotlight on domestic abuse in gay relationships, with the arrival of the aforementioned, Isaac Mayfield (Marc Elliot). To everyone, Isaac was a kind, caring and brilliant registrar but, behind closed doors, he was the classic sociopath, who would emotionally and psychologically torment boyfriend Dom. Things escalated when, one night, Isaac brutally attacked Dom in scenes which shocked viewers. Dom eventually plucked up the courage to report Isaac, who was suspended. 

5. Connie Beauchamp (Amanda Mealing)

Years on Holby: June 2004-December 2010

Many forget that, before Connie (Amanda Mealing) was the ball-breaking clinical lead of Casualty's ED, she had already made her presence felt on the wards of Holby City. Sleeping with Ric Griffin (Hugh Quarshie) at the end of her very first day at the hospital, Connie showed right from the start that she's a woman who always gets what she wants... and isn't afraid to make enemies along the way. During her time at Holby she clashed with pretty much everyone: registrar Will Curtis (Noah Huntley), anaesthetist Zubin Khan (Art Malik), CEO Vanessa Lytton (Leslie Ash) and, oftentimes, Ric. In 2006, Connie embarked on a brief relationship with registrar Sam Strachan (Tom Chambers), with whom she had a daughter, Grace.

Standout Moment

In December 2010, Connie resigned as Holby's then director of surgery having well and truly made her mark at the hospital. Upon hearing Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) had been hired as her replacement, she sends her a bottle of champagne and a pair of her shoes with a card saying "Fill them!". 

Actress Amanda reprised the role in Holby's sister show, Casualty, in March 2014.

4. Oliver Valentine (James Anderson)

Years on Holby: June 2009-2013; May 2015-March 2018

Ever since he first waltzed onto the wards of Holby in 2009, dashing doctor Oliver Valentine (James Anderson) proved himself to be a hit with the female staffers and a first-class medic. But the blue-eyed surgeon has certainly had his fair share of sadness and turmoil, too. After the loss of his beloved sister Penny in 2011, who was killed while helping the victims of a train crash, the following year Ollie found love with Dr Tara Lo (Jing Lusi), who tragically died of a brain tumour. In 2015, he began a tumultuous relationship with doctor Zosia March (Camilla Arfwedson). They married but she went to live in America, while he stayed at Holby.

Standout Moment

In 2017, tragedy struck when Ollie was shot in the head by Hanssen’s wayward son Fredrik (who also shot several others, fatally wounding Ollie’s colleague Raf Di Lucca). Realising he could no longer do the job he loved, Ollie left Holby in 2018, but fans were thrilled when he returned for Holby’s final episodes recently, desperate to prove he could still be a surgeon despite his brain injury. In the end, though, Ollie decided not to return to medicine and, instead, left Holby to join Zosia and their young son, Arthur, in America.

3. Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett)

Years on Holby: January 2010-present

With his kindly demeanour and vast collection of snazzy shirts, Sacha Levy has long been Keller ward’s ray of sunshine. But there have been many times over the past 12 years that Sacha has had little to smile about, particularly in the romance department. Sacha had a turbulent relationship with ward sister Chrissie Williams (Tina Hobley) — the pair married but Chrissie broke Sacha’s heart when she fled to Australia with their young son, Daniel. Sacha would later find love with nurse Essie Harrison (Kaye Wragg), who became terminally ill with cancer. As the pair were due to marry, Essie tragically passed away on her way to the altar.

Standout Moment

Holby hoped to raise awareness of male mental illness within the medical profession with a storyline centred on Sacha’s battle with depression. A slow-burn from 2016, Sacha is hit by one tragedy after another: His relationship with his family breaks down, an important research project collapses, his partner Essie (Kaye Wragg) is diagnosed with cancer and his close friend Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) is shot. Events comes to a head in 2018 when Sacha fails to save a patient. Feeling worthless, he goes up onto the hospital roof where he contemplates taking his own life. Fortunately, he changed his mind and Sacha — and his shirts  — have been with us ever since.

2. Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry)

Years on Holby: October 2010-present

It’s hard to imagine a Holby without the brooding, enigmatic Mr Henrik Hanssen, who's been looming around its corridors since 2010. A trusty CEO and brilliant surgeon, he's always been keen to embrace new talent, taking namely Sahira Shah (Laila Rouass), Tara Lo (Jing Lusi) and Oliver Valentine (James Anderson) under his wing. But Hanssen's always kept his private life private. 

That all changed when, in 2012, it was revealed that Hanssen actually has a son with a woman, Maja, who he had abandoned while pregnant 25 years prior. Hanssen finally meets his son, Frederik (Billy Postlethwaite), who in 2017 joined Holby as a registrar. After weeks of clashing with his father, Fredrik leaves but later returns with a gun killing Raf Di Lucca (Joe McFadden) and severely wounding Oliver Valentine (James Anderson) and Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel). In a stand-off with police, Fredrik is shot and killed.

Standout Moment

Hanssen was consumed with guilt over Fredrik's actions but it was then revealed this wasn't the only turmoil he'd suffered in his life. Last year, when Sahira Shah's father Reyhan (Raad Rawi) was admitted to the hospital, it was immediately obvious that Hanssen wanted as little as possible to do with his treatment. And all became clear when a traumatised Hanssen was forced to admit Reyhan had sexually abused him as a child. Feeling disgusted with himself, Hanssen begun self-harming. With his emotions laid bare, this was a Hanssen we had never seen before. As Holby comes to an end, will he find happiness?

As we’ve already seen, Holby has given us some amazing characters but there could really only be one person to secure the top spot in our countdown...

1. Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel)

Years on Holby: November 2005-present

Yep, it’s Darwin ward’s formidable, flame-haired heart surgeon, Jac Naylor, that clinches the top spot. 

Played to perfection by Rosie Marcel, many would say that Jac IS Holby, with the character quickly making her mark as the bitch we all love to hate. But Jac doesn’t care about making friends; she just wants to be the best and she’s certainly ruffled a few feathers in her hungry pursuit of that goal. 

Jac’s also suffered a lot of heartache, too. Abandoned by her mother aged 12, Jac then finds out she has a half-sister Jasmine, who dies following a stabbing. Jac’s been romantically linked to many Holby favourites such as Jonny Maconie (Michael Thomson), father to their daughter Emma, and Kian Madani (Ramin Karimloo), who recently died of a drug overdose. But it’s Joseph Byrne (Luke Roberts) who’ll always be her one true love. In her time, Jac’s been shot, the victim of an attempted rape and, most recently, was diagnosed with a life-threatening brain tumour.

Standout Moment

She may have a tough exterior, but Jac’s truly vulnerable side was revealed in 2019 when the character suffered a mental breakdown. With her mentor Elliot (Paul Bradley) needing life-saving surgery, and feeling that she was failing as a surgeon and as a mother to Emma, she flees theatre and heads out into the hospital car park where she has a monumental breakdown, and is comforted by friend good friend Fletch (Alex Walkinshaw).

With Jac's life now hanging in the balance with an inoperable brain tumour, as Holby prepares to air its last ever episode, can its resident ice queen be saved?

Find out as we say farewell Holby on Tuesday March 29 at 7.50pm on BBC1.

Holby City fans are growing increasingly concerned for Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel, who's expressed anger the show is being axed), as the fate of the much-loved character is still unclear.

Recently, the Holby City community has been devastated by Jac's declining health, and in recent months she was finally able, to be honest to her friends and co-workers about what's really going on with her. It seems like her tumour is inoperable but she's refusing to give up and has tried other options to get it removed.

In recent scenes, we saw Jac undergoing surgery led by her trusted friend Elliot Hope (Paul Bradley), a decision that has caused conflict throughout the hospital as not everyone agrees going through with the risky surgery was the right thing to do.

But despite some concerns from her friends, Jac insisted she go through with the surgery as a last resort, even asking Elliot to let her die on the operating table if he's unable to remove the tumour. 

However, things didn't go according to plan as the surgery failed, and Elliot wasn't able to go ahead with Jac's request of just letting her go. The tumour was revealed to be much bigger than they thought, meaning the surgery had to be stopped. 

So Jac is still with us for now, but this failed surgery has convinced fans that she'll die in the final episode, as time is running out and there doesn't seem to be many more options, if there's any at all, to remove the tumour safely.

Fans also reflected on Jac's potential last words which were "did I do enough?", leaving fans emotional as they witnessed a much more emotionally vulnerable side to Jac than we're normally used to.

Although fans really don't want to watch Jac die, some are convinced it would be a "fitting ending" as the show is coming to an end after 23 years on our screens. As Jac Naylor has been a huge part of the show, first appearing in 2005, losing such a big character would be a devastating end to her story.

Recently, What to Watch asked the Holby City team about the song that was featured in the penultimate episode, as Sacha (Bob Barrett) went to visit Jac's flat on her request.

In addition to this, Bob Barrett told us: "All I can say about the final storylines is that they will be emotional. Everyone — the writers, cast and crew — feel that it’s an incredible ending."

Holby City concludes on March 29 at 7.50pm on BBC One. Don't miss it!

After 23 years on our screens it’s almost time to say a final goodbye to Holby City, and the popular medical drama isn’t going out quietly.

*Warning: Contains Holby City Spoilers for the episode that aired on Tuesday 22 March 2022 at 7.55pm on BBC1*

There were big emotional punches in the penultimate episode when Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) went under the knife (many fans are convinced Jac will die in the final episode). During the intense outing, viewers watched with bated breath as heart surgeon Elliot Hope (Paul Bradley), brain surgeon Max McGerry (Jo Martin) and senior nurse Madge Britton (Clare Burt) all battled to keep Jac alive.

• Rosie Marcel angry over end of Holby

The original aim of the experimental operation was to starve Jac's brain of oxygen, lower her body temperature, and attempt to remove her brain tumour. 

During this second-to-last episode, however, Elliot explained that Jac's recent scan revealed worrying complications. Yet, with Jac determined to go ahead, he hastily came up with a new plan and moved her operation forward…

Meanwhile, Jac's absolute best friend in the world, Sacha Levy, remained opposed to her surgery. He had a heart-to-heart with her outside the hospital, unaware that the risky operation had been brought forward by a day and would be happening imminently! 

Jac in a bid to reassure anguished Sacha, decided to put him off the scent. She asked him to go to her flat and get her locket, as she wanted it with her. 

Sacha, heartbroken but happy to help his dying friend, agreed immediately and teased her about having a nosey around her new flat. He even joked about finding the head of Jonny Maconie — Jac's ex and father to her daughter, Emma — in her fridge! 

At Jac's, Sacha wanders around, getting a sense of her. He thumbs through her research papers takes in the view, and checks the fridge for Jonny’s head! 

It’s then he notices that Jac has left her record player on and decides to play the last record she listened to, The Jam’s poignant English Rose. 

As the music fills the apartment, Sacha finds Jac's locket under a collection of photos of her nearest and dearest. It's then that he happens upon Jac's last will and testament along with a goodbye letter to Emma…

But what does the song mean?

What To Watch checked in with the Holby City team who revealed: "There is no strong specificity to the track, it was selected as a song that might likely be a record her dad had and played to Jac when younger."

Jac was abandoned by her mother Paula Burrows (played by Julie Legrand) aged 12 and put into foster care. This was revealed when Paula was admitted to Holby with kidney damage. Jac underwent a kidney transplant to save Paula... who deserted her all over again after the surgery.

Jac reconnected with her younger half-sister Jasmine Burrows (Lucinda Dryzek) later in life, when they both worked together at Holby. 

It emerged that while Jac was in care, Jasmine was sporadically raised by Paula, but was mainly left with her grandparents, including grandfather Henry Burrows. 

Jasmine was killed in 2017, but recently made a ghostly reappearance. Little is known about Jac's paternal roots. Significantly the locket Jac asks Sacha to retrieve belonged to Jasmine and contains pictures of her daughter, Emma...

While the record is playing, it suddenly dawns on Sacha that Jac isn’t confident in the surgical procedure, and that by sending him to her home she was saying goodbye… 

Heartbroken, he calls Fletch and explains that Jac has given up and that they can’t let her die in surgery. Sacha begs Fletch (Alex Walkinshaw) to help stop Jac’s operation, but he reveals it’s too late, she’s already in theatre!

Meanwhile, Max, Elliot and Madge have discovered they’re unable to remove the tumour. Before this, Jac had asked Elliot to let her die on the table if they couldn’t extract it completely. Elliot, however, can’t bear to let her go...

When Jac comes round later she's devastated to discover what's happened and breaks down.

But Elliot isn't giving up hope. He promises to find another way to save Jac… Can he discover a miracle cure in time? 

Speaking about the last ever episode to What To Watch, Bob Barrett teases:  "All I can say about the final storylines is that they will be emotional. Everyone — the writers, cast and crew — feel that it’s an incredible ending."

He adds: "I was talking to Rosie the other day, and we were saying, when we became best friends in life, that's when we became best friends in the show. So we've had the show relationship in real time. Same with Kaye [Wragg, who played Sacha's lover Essie Di Lucca] and Guy [Henry, who stars as hospital CEO Henrik Hanssen]. 

"That's very, very hard to replace, so it will be a shock after [Holby ends]."

"I know we all say it and joke about it, but Holby is a family, right across the cast, crew and production. Filming [the final episodes] has been like the seven stages of grief. Initially there was shock, then sadness, as we went on there was lots of gallows humour, then we cried, got upset, but also had a laugh. We really savoured our last times together before it finished."

How will it all end? Find out when the final ever episode of Holby City airs next week. 

We still can’t quite believe it but this week marks the end of an era, as Holby City (BBC1, 7.50pm – see our TV Guide for listings) closes its hospital doors for good. Sob!

After 23 years of explosive drama, heart-stopping surgeries and some very tangled love affairs, the BBC medical drama brings us an emotional finale that will satisfy loyal fans.

Following on from last week's intense, risky operation to remove Jac Naylor’s (Rosie Marcel) brain tumour, emotions are running high, as everyone involved - including Elliot Hope (Paul Bradley) and Adrian 'Fletch' Fletcher (Alex Walkinshaw) - considers what’s next… 

Has the unthinkable happened? Or will Jac get a happy ever after?

With the hospital stretched to capacity, Dominic Copeland (David Ames) takes matters into his own hands and constructs a makeshift theatre… which puts him at loggerheads with his mum Ange Godard! 

Dom’s been feeling excluded from Ange (Dawn Steele) and partner Josh Hudson’s life. With his adoptive mum Carole now deceased, will Dom finally find his place in his growing family?

Elsewhere, Jac’s protege Nicky McKendrick (Belinda Owusu) performs her first surgery on a beating heart, Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry) makes a decision about where his heart lies, and the team rally around Reverend Lexy, as she faces an uncertain future...

Of course, it just wouldn’t be a fitting finale to a long-running drama without some old faces returning. 

Before the credits roll, many of Holby’s best-loved characters make a special appearance. Among the guest stars are Chizzy Akudolu, Hugh Quarshie, Catherine Russell, Jemma Redgrave, and Luke Roberts - better known as Jac’s first true love, Joseph Byrne! 

You do not want to miss the last ever Holby City, showing Tuesday, March 29 at 7.50pm on BBC1.

Holby City legend Rosie Marcel has expressed her anger and sadness at the soap's axing.

The 44-year-old star, who plays Jac Naylor, reveals that she thought Holby deserved the chance to fight for its survival after 23 years on screen.

Instead, Rosie says that the news of the show’s demise came as a total shock.

Talking about her feelings ahead of next week’s final ever episode, she told Inside Soap: "The whole thing is really upsetting, in all honesty. I think the scripts are amazing, and I have no doubt in my mind that the audience is going to find the final two episodes very dramatic and fitting.

“However, I cannot lie and say that I wasn’t angry about Holby ending without warning, without reprieve, or the opportunity to fight.

“For this to happen at a time when we were outperforming our sister shows and EastEnders, it felt like a very big blow to all of us, and it still does.”

In tonight’s episode, we tease in our Holby City spoilers that it’s do or die time for Jac in the penultimate installment.

Jac’s risky brain surgery is brought forward and the atmosphere is tense both in and out of theatre. 

In the operating room Jac’s crack medical team of close personal friends battle against a series of unexpected developments and must race against the clock to save her. 

For many Jac Naylor is Holby City — so if she dies, it really hammers home the loss of this beloved series. 

Holby City will end after 23 years on Tuesday 29 March at 7.50pm on BBC1. It’s sure to be a hugely emotional farewell.

Holby tweeted the news to shock fans last year, writing: “We’re very sorry to bring you the sad news that Holby City will come to an end in March next year, after 23 amazing years."

"We are so very grateful to all of Holby’s wonderful cast, crew, writers, producers — and to our millions of loyal viewers and fans for being part of our show.”

But fans shouldn’t give up hope that perhaps the series might one day return. It's been, though, a bleak time for soap fans as it was also recently revealed that Neighbours was also being axed.

Jac Naylor goes under the knife in the penultimate episode of Holby City (airs Tuesday 22 March 2022 at 7.55pm on BBC1 - see our TV Guide for listings). Elsewhere, Sacha Levy races against time, and Jeong-Soo Han has shocking news for Reverend Lexy Dunblane…

Full Holby City spoilers below…

Jac Naylor prepares for surgery…

It’s do or die time for Jac Naylor in the penultimate episode of Holby City. 

Jac’s risky brain surgery is brought forward and the atmosphere is tense both in and out of theatre. In the operating room Jac’s crack medical team of close personal friends battle against a series of unexpected developments and must race against the clock to save her. 

For many Jac Naylor is Holby City - so if she dies, it really hammers home the loss of this beloved series. 

But our Jac’s a fighter, and Holby Hospital is a central-hub for miracles, so hope springs eternal. As Jac tells best friend Sacha Levy: “It’s going to work.” 

Come on Jac!

Sacha Levy is duped by Jac!

As Jac prepares to go under the knife, in the hope her brain tumour can be removed, her best friend Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett) remains opposed to the risky operation. 

Unaware the surgery’s been urgently brought forward, Sacha begs Jac to reconsider so she can pass away peacefully, rather than dying in theatre.

Jac, meanwhile, is determined to go ahead. In a bid to distract Sacha, she asks him to go to her flat and get her locket, which has deep sentimental value. 

While at Jac’s home, Sacha has a sudden realisation about her motives and races against time to stop the operation. But it’s too late… Jac is already in theatre - where her surgical team face overwhelming complications.

Will Jac die?

Also in Holby City this week…

Josh Hudson bears the brunt of Claudia Blaise’s mum’s grief, when she turns up with her deceased daughter’s diary and demands he reads it. 

Josh (Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge) follows Mrs Blaise outside to talk to her, but is sidelined when he discovers a man injured, disorientated, and in need of urgent help.

Josh springs into action and gets the mystery man into the hospital, where the team discovers just how shocking his condition is.

Working with his kind-of son-in-law Dom Copeland, Josh does everything he can to help the man. But will they figure out who the patient is and why he keeps asking for Jac Naylor?

Meanwhile, Dom (David Ames) reads Claudia’s diary and believes Josh has had an affair! He confronts his mother’s boyfriend, only to learn the truth about Josh’s bulimia… 

Elsewhere, Fletch (Alex Walkinshaw) makes plans to stay at the hospital overnight to be with Jac. 

And nurse Donna Jackson (Jaye Jacobs) and Reverend Lexy (Jenny Howe) are enjoying a good gossip when doctor Jeong-Soo Han (Chan Woo Lim) arrives with shocking news about Lexy’s health…

This episode of Holby City airs on Tuesday, March 22 2022 at 7.55pm on BBC1 and will be available on BBC iPlayer afterwards.

Holby City fans are devastated about the end of the beloved BBC soap as it's coming to an end this month, and a new trailer has teased some shocking twists.

Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) is the focus of the trailer, as recently fans have seen the Holby City legend coming to terms with the fact she has a seemingly inoperable brain tumour, with many fearing she'll be killed off.

There are also tensions building between Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett) and Fletch (Alex Walkinshaw), seemingly around Jac's treatment and what the future holds. Fletch tells him: "Jac's fighting and she's declared war, and when that happens there's only one winner, my friend."

Meanwhile, a woman arrives revealing she was Claudia Blaise's mother, who died at Holby after Sasha and Ange Godard (Dawn Steele) were forced to admit defeat and terminate the procedure, resulting in her death.

Claudia's mother hands over a diary and tells Josh Hudson (Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge) she wants him to "read it and release what he did". But what does that mean, and what does she know?

In addition to this, a man arrives saying he "needs Jac Naylor" and that his son Noah was hit by a car. But how does he know Jac, and why is he asking for her specifically?

There's a lot going on in the 45 second teaser alone, but there are plenty of questions fans want answering before the programme ends for good after being on air for 23 years. 

As well as Jac's fate, fans are calling for Henrik to get a happy ending, and they're hoping that loose ends will be tied up for some of their favourite characters so they won't have to say goodbye without a proper conclusion.

The penultimate episode of Holby City airs on BBC1 at 7:55pm on Tuesday 22 March, and the synopsis is definitely teasing fans.

Our UK TV Guide reveals: "Jac prepares for her life-or-death operation, but before she goes under the knife she has a dreadful demand for her surgeon and a task for Sacha. 

"Are these the wishes of a woman still fighting or one who has accepted her fate? Josh over-invests in a familiar patient, while returning Rev Lexy receives good news about a new kidney."

Holby City fans are anxiously awaiting the finale of the beloved medical soap, as it was recently confirmed the series would come to an end this year. Knowing that we'll be seeing final episodes very soon, it seems everyone agrees that they want their favourite characters to have a happy ending.

Recently, fans on Twitter have been rooting for Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry) and Russell "Russ" Faber (Simon Slater) as recent scenes had them becoming obsessed with their budding romance.

But it's been quite complicated, as Russ left Holby quite abruptly last time fans saw him, meaning they're now questioning whether or not we'll see what's in store for this "will they, won't they" couple. 

However, recent scenes have filled fans with hope as Henrik received a mystery gift from Russ, and was initially reluctant to open it given Russ' quick departure. But now he has, and it was revealed to be a lunchbox with a card reading "Be happy Henrik".

Following this gift, that's exactly what fans want for the beloved consultant general surgeon as many have taken to Twitter hoping that Holby bosses have given the character the happiness he deserves and that he'll be able to properly reunite with Russ before the finale.

We don't know what the future holds for Henrik just yet, but Guy Henry has revealed that the direction he's going in is "interesting", so maybe there's hope after all!

Speaking about his character in an interview with Digital Spy, Guy teased Henrik's future by saying: "My character has gone in a direction that I think is interesting and might even have a twinkle of happiness by the end of it...

"How do you finish 23 years of a weekly story of these people's lives? It will be quite moving and quite shocking. I think it's spectacular in human terms as opposed to special effects and big stunts."

Meanwhile, fans are worried about Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) as she's been struggling to deal with her brain tumour, knowing that it will very likely kill her.

In recent scenes, we saw her beloved mentor Elliot Hope return to Holby determined to help after being called in by Adrian ‘Fletch’ Fletcher (Alex Walkshaw). But is there really anything he can do to help Jac?

Holby City continues on Tuesday March 22 at 7.55pm on BBC1. For full listings see our UK TV guide. 

As we head towards the final few episodes of Holby City, fans were given a treat on Tuesday night when Holby stalwart Elliot Hope made a surprise return.

While Jac Naylor has been coming to terms with the fact her brain tumour is inoperable, her pal Adrian ‘Fletch’ Fletcher (Alex Walkshaw) wasn’t giving up that easily and had called in reinforcements.

When Jac discovered Fletch had slept by her bed all night, she assured him she’s ‘not going to die today’ and urged him to go home. But Fletch insisted he’s waiting for someone and Jac soon found out who when a very familiar voice said: ‘Hello Jac'. It’s her former mentor Elliot Hope, with actor Paul Bradley reprising the role.

Although she was pleased to see him, Jac wondered why Elliot was so confident he could cure a tumour that no one else could. But Elliot simply told her that he had something those other surgeons didn't... that they don’t love her as he does.

It also didn't help that Jac’s good friends Fletch and Sacha (Bob Barrett) were at loggerheads over their friend's treatment. Sacha thought Jac should be able to die with dignity - but Fletch refused to just ‘give up’. 

Elliot reassured the warring men that he would look closely at Jac’s scans and take everything into account before making any decision.

Meanwhile, the episode also saw the return of some other Holby favourites from the grave in the shape of nurse Essie Di Lucca (Kaye Wragg), who tragically died on her way to marry Sacha, doctor Arthur Digby (Rob Ostlere), who died of cancer, and Jac’s late step-sister Jasmine (Lucinda Dryzek), who died after being stabbed.

Later, Elliot overheard a conversation between Nicky McKendrick (Belinda Owusu) and Fletch, which gave him a bright idea for Jac’s surgery. Could it be the solution to curing her brain tumour?

Find out in the penultimate Holby City, next Tuesday at 7.55pm.

Belinda Owusu became a household name in 2006 when she joined EastEnders as Libby Fox, the geeky daughter of Denise Fox. After four years on Albert Square Libby left for Oxford University, although the studious character popped back to her mum's house a few times between 2014 and 2017.

After leaving Walford behind, the actress wowed fans with her portrayal of super-talented doctor Nicky McKendrick in BBC medical drama Holby City. She starred in the drama for nearly five years until the show was axed by the BBC, with filming ending in December 2021 for the cast and the last episode being shown on screen on March 29, 2022.

But what else do we know about Belinda Owusu? Here are several things you probably don't know...

Belinda Owusu was only 16 when she joined the cast of EastEnders 

Belinda joined the Anna Fiorentini Theatre and Film School after winning a sponsorship for her place, which then helped her land her role as Libby Fox in EastEnders. She played the role between 2006 and 2010, but has revisited Albert Square since then in 2014 and 2017.

Belinda Owusu is a campaigner against knife crime after losing her brother

Belinda's world was shattered back in 2016 when her younger brother Ziggy Worrell-Owusu was murdered during a row at a shisha club in London. Belinda has often spoken out about her brother's death, calling for his killer to come forward. At the time she told the press: "We have a big family and everyone is changed. We just want to know what happened and why it happened so we can have some closure."

She loved working on Holby because of her costume 

Belinda admitted to express.co.uk that she loved working on Holby because her characters, Nicky, spends most of her time wearing scrubs, which are like pyjamas. The actress revealed: "They are basically like baggy pyjamas and so it is a joy to go to work and pop them on. Nothing is more comfortable! I also never get bored because each speciality has a different colour, so I regularly wear them in navy, plum and turquoise!"

She appeared on the gameshow The Weakest Link

In 2008 Belinda joined some of the other EastEnders cast members on gameshow The Weakest Link for charity. She ended up being the fourth contestant to be voted off.

She didn't buy her first dress until she was in EastEnders 

Belinda has confessed that when she was invited to her first British Soap Awards she'd never worn a dress or make up before. She told express.co.uk: "I went to Debenhams and asked one of the Lancome consultants to make me up, then I bought all the make up she recommended. My dress was like a bridesmaid's style in black with a cream lining. I teamed it with my first ever pair of kitten heels from Clarks."

She is a fan of Shakespeare 

Belinda worked her acting socks off when she appeared at the Nuffield Theatre in 2011 playing Desdemona in William Shakespeare's Othello.

She owns more than 100 pair of shoes

Belinda has admitted that she is a fan of shoes and has 100 pairs in total. She also loves a handbag and has about 30 in her wardrobe, but would never spend lots of money on designer clothes and accessories because she is worried she'd ruin them.

She announced she was pregnant on Instagram 

Belinda shocked fans by announcing she was expecting her first child on social media when she was already 40 weeks pregnant! The actress managed to keep her pregnancy under wraps for a whole nine months and, in life imitating art, her character Nicky on Holby was also expecting a baby.

After returning from maternity leave to film her final scenes as Nicky, Belinda brought her own baby in to play her character's little one Juliet.

She told us: "It worked out pretty well filming with my daughter. With all the pandemic precautions I’m the only person that's allowed to hold her. If it had been a stranger baby it would have been hard to write a lot of the scenes. We didn't have to worry about the two metre distance. And it was awesome to have her there and share that with her."

She will miss her Holby colleagues 

Fans of Holby are devastated that the show is no more, but Belinda posted an upbeat message on her Instagram account thanking her cast mates and the fans who have enjoyed it over the years. 

She said: "I cannot believe my luck. I love Holby City. I love my little Nicky. I love each and every one of you crazy talented lot I’ve been lucky enough to work with. My goodness I’ll miss it all. Thank you Holby for having me. Biggest thank you to our wonderful audience for staying with us."

We will miss you Holby but we are excited to see what Belinda and her fellow fictional medics do next!

Twitter: @therealowusu

Instagram: @immab

We work hard to ensure that all information is correct. Facts that change over time, such as age, will be correct, to the best of our knowledge, at the time of the last article update.

Main picture credit: Getty

Holby City fans were in bits after watching Jac Naylor (Rosie Marcel) break the news of her inoperable brain tumour to her colleagues and friends, something she has been hiding for quite some time.

Viewers at home have followed Holby City legend Jac on her devastating journey as she tries to come to terms with her diagnosis, trying everything she could to get the tumour removed. But it's not quite that simple and it looks like time might be running out for the fan favourite.

In devastating scenes, Jac was forced to come clean to her colleagues about her brain tumour and told the truth about what was going on to Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry), Adrian "Fletch" Fletcher (Alex Walkinshaw), Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett) and Dom Copeland (David Ames). 

After hiding the truth for so long, fans saw the usually composed Jac break after walking into a hospital celebration that quickly turned sour, when she began to bleed from her nose and had to explain what was going on.

Fans were heartbroken after watching everything unfold, as her colleagues were all taken aback by the horrible news, no longer in the party spirit after the bombshell news where Jac apologised for not being honest and revealed Holby was her home.

It was quite the rollercoaster for fans, as we also saw the return of former Holby character Guy Self (John Michie) returned after Jac had reached out to him. 

Guy used to be the hospital's CEO and consultant neurosurgeon, but left in 2020 when he resigned from the role.

When Jac asked if he could pull off the procedure and save her life, Guy revealed: "Without too much difficulty. You will of course have suffered a massive fatal stroke by the time I was finished, so it does have its drawbacks.

"But then you know this already, Jac. You just don't want to accept it – I am genuinely very sorry."

Jac's forced to rule out this procedure knowing it has adverse effects, but with only so many episodes of Holby City left, will she be able to save herself or have to accept her fate?

Holby City continues on BBC1 next Tuesday. For full listings — see our TV Guide. 

Tuesday night's episode of Holby City gave fans a shock when maverick neurosurgeon Guy Self made a surprise return.

As the episode began, the Holby staff were in high spirits as the hospital was declared as being out of special measures, but Jac didn't have time to stand around celebrating, because she had some important phone calls to make.

With time running out to find someone willing to operate on her brain tumour, Jac (Rosie Marcel) worked her way through a list, calling the best brains in the land, who might be able — and more importantly willing — to save her life.

It appeared that Jac had come up short - but then her mobile phone rang and she answered saying: 'We meet face to face today, that's the only way this works' then tentatively asked: 'Are you in?'.

Later, Jac could be seen waiting in the hospital bar, Albie's, when the mystery caller finally showed their face... and it was none other than Guy Self!

The last time confident neurosurgeon Guy (John Michie, reprising the role) was seen at Holby was in 2020, when he left in disgrace after operating on Holby stalwart Ric Griffin while drunk (thankfully Ric survived!).

With this in mind, it was unsurprising that the first thing Jac wanted to know was whether Guy is sober and tested him by offering a whiskey, to which he responded: 'Sparkling water, will do just fine'.

Jac was momentarily buoyed when Guy seemed optimistic that he could operate. But when he reminded Jac that she would suffer a massive stroke during surgery, he said, with regret, that he couldn't help her.

Forced to face reality, Jac later plucked up the courage to finally tell her friends and colleagues — namely Hanssen, Fletch, Sacha and Dom - that her brain tumour is inoperable and that she's dying.

As Holby heads towards its last EVER episodes - can ANYONE save Jac?

Tune into Holby next Tuesday, March 15 at 7.50pm on BBC One to find out...

Jac Naylor is caught between life and death as four former Holby favourites visit her in Holby City (airs Tuesday, March 15 2022 at 7.50 pm on BBC One — see our TV Guide for listings). 

Elsewhere, Madge Britton’s tragic home life is laid bare. And Donna Jackson makes a memorable return!

Full Holby City spoilers below…

Jac Naylor torn between life and death

Jac Naylor is visited by three ghosts of Holby past in this week’s episode of the medical drama, which ends later this month. (Sob!) 

Jac has given up all hope of finding a neurosurgeon to perform the risky surgery that could remove her killer brain tumour. Now a patient at Holby, she falls into a deep sleep and dreams she’s being treated by nurse Essie Di Lucca (Kaye Wragg), who passed away from cancer in 2020. The dream then takes a disturbing turn when doctor Arthur Digby (Rob Ostlere), who died of cancer in 2016, shows up! 

Essie and Arthur both confront Jac about her impending death, when Jac’s half-sister, doctor Jasmine Burrows (Lucinda Dryzek), bursts in. Jasmine, who died in 2017 from a stab wound, is armed with a bottle of booze for Jac’s wake!

Jac (Rosie Marcel) is relieved to wake up in her hospital room. Yet is irritated that Fletch (Aside: It turns out he’s a snorer!) is keeping a bedside vigil. Her ex-lover, however, refuses to leave, as he’s waiting for someone special to turn up…  and moments later an important face from Jac’s past walks in! 

Jac is stunned! Fletch (Alex Walkinshaw) has called the former Holby medic and asked if they can save her life. The visitor immediately gets to work studying Jac’s notes, hoping to figure out a way to operate without killing her.

On edge, Jac needs a distraction while she waits for a decision. So she embarks on one last mission! 

She orders nurse Kylie Maddon (Amy Murphy) to drive to disgraced Madge Britton’s house to uncover the truth about her friend’s domestic abuse situation…

Madge (Clare Burt) is touched when Kylie and Jac reach out to her. Jac comes up with a plan to help her friend, but can she pull it off?

When Jac returns to Holby later that night her surprise visitor reveals they’ve reached a decision. 

Will they operate? 

And will Jac agree, as she gets closer to accepting her death?

Also in Holby City this week…

Sacha Levy (Bob Barrett) is overjoyed by the return of a blast from the past. But his happiness rapidly turns to despair when he discovers what the visitor has planned for Jac. 

Sacha later comes into conflict with those closest to him for giving Jac what he believes to be false hope. He alone feels that Jac needs to accept her fate and say her goodbyes while she still can. Will she agree with him? 

The competitive spirit between Josh Hudson (Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge) and Jeong-Soo Han (Chan Woo Lim) for the Junior Doctor Award escalates. But Jeong is at a distinct disadvantage — his arm is in a sling after a skateboarding mishap!

Later, Jeong is alarmed when Reverend Lexy Morrell (Jenny Howe) goes missing before an important procedure. He finds her in the hospital chapel, where she collapses into unconsciousness. 

Powerless to help Lexy with only one working arm, Jeong frantically searches for help and he bumps into Donna Jackson. The former Holby nurse springs into action and employs a classic TV life-saving technique. You know the one - it involves a pen! 

Can Donna (Jaye Jacobs) save Lexy? And what exactly has brought her back to Holby?

Elsewhere, Henrik Hanssen (Guy Henry) receives a package in the post from love-interest Russ Faber (Simon Slater). He’s hesitant about opening it, given how Russ abruptly left Holby last week, but Ange Godard (Dawn Steele) encourages him to overcome his fears. What’s in the box?

Max McGerry (Jo Martin) is roped into Fletch’s grand plan to save Jac. She’s dead set against it, as the visitor-who-cannot-be-named has slighted her in the past. Can she be persuaded to change her mind?

Both Hanssen and Dom Copeland (David Ames) find themselves in a position to give some former colleagues their old jobs at the hospital, what will they decide?

After their mission of mercy involving Madge, Kylie is shocked and touched when Jac gifts her something precious — and expensive! 

And finally, Nicky McKendrick has a request to ask Eli Ebrahimi (Davood Ghadami) that leaves him in tears…

This episode of Holby City airs on Tuesday, March 15 2022 at 7.50 pm on BBC1 and will be available on BBC iPlayer afterwards.