When you think of long serving Casualty cast members obviously Derek Thompson, who played Charlie Fairhead in the BBC medical drama until last year immediately springs to mind. However his departure means he no longer holds the title of the longest serving cast member. That honour goes to someone who has been with the show from day one meaning they have worked on the programme for an astonishing 39 years.

Paul Anderson has played the role of Oscar since the very first episode in 1986. He was a junior doctor when the show made its debut but has been downgraded to porter in the intervening years. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk during a visit to the show’s set in BBC’s Roath Lock Studios in Wales, he laughed about his “demotion”. “I started out as a doctor but they’ve made me a porter now. I’ve been demoted. I’ve been a porter for most of my time here now,” he laughed.

After spending two years as a junior doctor Paul has played Oscar the porter for 37 years and if you see a scene with a trolley being moved chances are he is on the other end of it.

Much like EastEnders famous barmaid Tracey (played by Jane Slaughter) he is one of those integral background actors that ensures consistency for the show.

While he is not in it every single week regular viewers will immediately recognise him.

Even the show’s move to Wales in 2011 after 25 years of production in Bristol couldn’t prevent him doing the job he loves.

“I still live in Bristol. That’s my home. That’s where my family are. I just travel into Cardiff for work,” he revealed.

In his almost 40 years on the show he has seen a lot of people come and go and many changes and while he admits the show is “different” now he says it is still great to work on.

Fittingly he featured prominently in Charlie Fairhead’s final scene as the legendary character departed the hospital in March 2024 following actor Derek Thompson’s decision to leave the show.

Asked what it is like without Derek around, who started on the same day as him, he admits: “It was sad to see him go. It’s not the same without him. But it carries on.”