CASUALTY star Charles Venn reflected on a family tragedy – and why he kept filming hours after receiving the sad news.
The actor, 52, has been playing Jacob Masters since debuting on Casualty in July 2015.
Now approaching a decade on the BBC show, Jacob has become a mainstay character.
Charles recently recalled the aftermath of his sister’s unexpected death.
His sibling passed away three years ago – just days before Charles had been due to head home from filming.
He told The Mirror: “In my insane mind, I thought I could get through those two days. I really thought I would.”
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Charles explained how “it was still very raw” mentally and that he had been “very subdued” upon getting to work.
Continuing, Charles shared: “Someone asked me ‘Are you ok?’ in my dressing room and of course, I wasn’t.
“They were kind enough to let me go home. But it’s the that same thing of despite what’s going on, the challenges, being able to put that to the side and deliver a performance, play the scene, play what’s required for the character to tell his story – that’s the biggest challenge.”
Last year, the actor addressed his real-life tragedy amid a BBC storyline.
He told the Express: “There is an element of definitely contrition on Jacob’s part.
“He feels he could have done more, he could have done better.”
Charles added: “I know that feeling myself in a way. I remember when my sister passed, and I remember feeling in my heart, I wish I could have done more.”
Before joining Casualty, Charles starred in EastEnders as Ray Dixon – a former love interest to Bianca Jackson (Patsy Palmer).
The character was introduced as the estranged father of Bianca’s son, Morgan Butcher (Devon Higgs).
Ray notably featured in the “Who’s Been Sleeping with Kat?” – where he and four other men were suspected of having an affair with Kat Moon.
However, Ray was the first suspect to be ruled out – with the mystery man later unmasked as Derek Branning (Jamie Foreman).
In 2018, he was among the famous faces participating in Strictly Come Dancing.
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Partnered with Karen Clifton, Charles finished sixth overall in the series.
Casualty airs on BBC One and iPlayer.
