BBC medical drama Casualty stars Charles Venn & Neet Mohan visit Walsall hospital

Two stars of BBC’s longrunning medical drama Casualty visited a Walsall hospital for a grand reason.

The TV stars got the chance to meet real-life medics on Friday (June 9) when they attended the official opening of Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust’s £40m Urgent and Emergency Care Centre.

Charles Venn and Neet Mohan, who play Jacob Masters and Dr Rash Masum respectively in the long-running BBC TV drama, provided the celebrity glamour for the grand opening ceremony.

Guests included Dr Rabia Imtiaz, Medical Director System Improvement Professional Standards NHSE (Midlands), the town’s MPs Valerie Vaz and Eddie Hughes and Integrated Care Board (ICB) leaders.

Charles, 49, said: “The teams are so affable, professional and warm and it was wonderful to meet some of the patients – Edith and Donna – as well.

“When you see healthcare in real life, you realise the importance of what you’re trying to portray in front of the camera and its gravitas. Coming to places of this magnitude brings it home and it really is an honour for us both to be able to tell these stories and given this responsibility. It’s been an amazing experience.”

Neet, 37, said: “We play fictional medics so to be here among real medical professionals doing amazing work has been a great privilege. It’s an amazing hospital. I know it’s been a while in the making, but it’s worth it and a wonderful building.”

The actors spent two hours greeting staff and patients and posing for selfies, signing autographs and giving out chocolates on a tour of the building.

Patients Edith Minifie, 87, from Wednesbury, and Donna Purchas, 52, from Pelsall, were in the Acute Medical Unit and were thrilled to meet the TV stars.

“It’s wonderful to meet you – it’s made my day,” said Edith.

Donna, a big Casualty fan, added: “I can’t believe I’ve met you both – it’s given me such a boost.”