Comic Relief Casualty

Richard Curtis has taken a break from the Vicar of Dibley and films starring Hugh Grant to co-write a very special episode of Casualty, to be screened as part of BBC ONE's Red Nose Day programming this year.

The episode (Saturday March 10, 9pm, BBC ONE) sees the return of Oscar winning actress and old Casualty favourite, Brenda Fricker as Megan, and Angus Deayton who plays someone very like himself.

Megan comes into the Emergency Department because her grandson has been admitted after self-harming and is diagnosed with schizophrenia. He steals Abs' camper van and crashes it with Abs in it. Angus Deayton also makes a special visit to Holby as a grumpy man with a splinter in his thumb as staff and patients get into the Red Nose Day spirit.

Brenda Fricker said, "I was absolutely delighted to be asked to do something for Comic Relief and what better way than appearing in Casualty again after all these years. Returning to the show was truly nostalgic for me and all the great memories came flooding back. Filming the Comic Relief special was a thoroughly enjoyable experience."

The regulars in the Emergency Department are trying to raise funds for Comic Relief but Nathan is being cantankerous and having none of it. Eventually he learns that they were raising money at his expense - every time he said no to a fund-raising idea!

But it's not all fun and games, as the episode explores some key issues that Comic Relief funds, including mental health, refugees and elder abuse. It is Comic Relief's intention to try to catch people before they end up in Casualty.

Go behind the scenes of the special on the BBC Casualty website