Charlie From Casualty

[jennyjoan]

Charlie aka Derek Thompson - I would say the very last member of the old Casualty - can anybody explain to me why he is still there.

Can't act - as stiff as a poker - looks awry - looks all over the place.

My guess - he has stakes in the programme. There is no way he would have been kept on.

Also why I am on - is Dale Winton not well. He didn't look it to me.

[factor-fiction]

Comments have been made on here about Dale Winton not looking well for a few years

[jennyjoan]

ok Factor - didn't know that

[Peter Pedant]

Poor Dale - what part was he playing ?
and surely in Casualty no patient actually looks well ?

[jennyjoan]

very funny peter pedante -

Looked at previous posts re Dale looking thin but now he is heavier.

Who knows what is going on with anyone - after all his mother committed suicide when he was very young - so that's a heavy burden.

[DSJ]

I like Derek Thompson. I named my cat Charlie after his charracter.

[jennyjoan]

DSJ - he deffo cannot act.

[jennyjoan]

and I believe he originally comes from Belfast.

[factor-fiction]

http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1805880
This was on another forum 18 months ago

[jennyjoan]

Looked at your link Factor - I did wonder to myself - he hung onto the competitors' chairs for dear life. Am wondering is he having difficulty breathing. I do wish him well.

[weecalf]

Question ....Do they call the acting mistakes on casualty out takes or out patients

[Cloverjo]

I used to love Casualty. Haven't watched it for years now. I've just had a brief look, and agree he's not a great actor. He still looks almost as young as he did 20 years ago, just less hair.
I don't suppose Duffy is still there? I remember her accent changed from pure Bristol almost to RP over the course of a couple of series.

[Mamyalynne]

Charlie is a mainstay within the programme, if he couldn't act or if he put viewers off in their droves the programme makers would soon have him ousted.


I think he portrays the inward sense of loneliness and angst whilst appearing on the outside to all his colleagues as capable and happy.

[jennyjoan]

sorry Mamy - I am going to agree to disagree. He definitely cannot act. Pinocchio the wooden toy could do better.

[Postdog]

I agree with the OP and have thought that for years...he cannot act. He always look vague, he NEVER looks anyone in the eye for longer than a few seconds, and has been the same in other stuff he has been in such as the gentle touch and the long good Friday.

[ummmm]

He's acting a part. I like him.

[ummmm]

Postdog....have you never met someone like that in real life?

[Postdog]

No

[ummmm]

I have.

I think we're getting too Americanised. We want our actors to act a certain way for escapism....and not the benefit of the drama/programme/film....whatever.

[Mamyalynne]

One thing I will agree on , Casualty in particular has had some shocking actors but thankfully only in fleeting roles.

If Derek Thompson is so bad an actor I wonder why he gets parts in such things as mentioned.

[seanne]

1st record I bought as a child was by Elaine and Derek, LOL called 'one little robin in a cherry tree'