'Casualty' actor to leave after 18 years

Casualty actor Ian Bleasdale has announced he is to leave the show after 18 years playing paramedic Josh Griffiths.

The actor is one of the longest-running members of cast for the BBC programme, alongside Derek Thompson who plays Charlie Fairhead

During his eighteen years, Bleasdale's character has lost his family in a house fire, been left for dead after being stabbed, and divorced his wife.

Producers of Casualty have left the role open for the 55-year-old if he did want to return.

The new series will begin in September on BBC One.