Vera fans need to prepare themselves to see a very well known face on screen this week, with it being confirmed that producers have signed up a Casualty legend to appear in the final series; months after his own emotional TV exit.

Earlier this year hearts broke right around the world, when it was announced by ITV that Vera would be coming to an end in 2025, with its upcoming 14th series also its last. Filming on Vera series 14 took place all over the North East during the summer and while Brenda and co-stars like David Leon, Riley Jones and Jon Morrison were seen on set, one actor whose appearance was never spotted was Derek Thompson, the man known to millions for playing Charlie Fairhead in long running BBC medical drama Casualty.

Having played reliable medic Charlie since the 80s, Derek bowed out from the show in moving scenes earlier this year. As a huge audience watched at home, many viewers were left fearing the worst as Charlie’s life hung in the balance, following a stabbing. Thankfully, he did have a happy ending, leaving Holby General behind in a VW Beetle as Tears for Fears’ Everybody Wants to Rule the World payed in the background.

Well now Derek is making the switch from BBC to ITV to be in Vera, taking on the part of Gordon Spencer in the last ever episode, The Dark Wives. Little is known about Derek’s new role and he won’t be the only famous face in that finale either, as stars like Shobna Gulati, ex Band of Gold actress Cathy Tyson and Shameless copper Anthony Flanagan will also be on screen.

The new series will also see Auf Wiedersehen Pet legend Kevin Whately appear as a retired detective in episode one, just as Brenda Blethyn’s character is left facing a tough decision.