BBC star carried on filming hit show hours after sister's death
The actor plays Jacob Masters in the medical drama. He was previously introduced as a nurse but in 2023, he joined the paramedic team, searching for a change after the death of colleague Robyn Miller (Amanda Henderson).
Three years ago, Charles was days away from taking his annual leave from work, but then he learnt some life-changing and heartbreaking family news.
Charles, who is 52, discovered his sister had died.
The beloved actor then chose to carry on with his filming commitments and was continuously supported by his friends and colleagues.
'It's about being switched on and delivering when the camera says 'action'. You might be all over the place in rehearsals, just figuring it out, mapping out what's going on and how you're going to deliver this. But when the camera rolls, you deliver because we're presenting a show for our audience', the star said recently.
'We're humans like everybody else, and then we go through what we go through. Speaking for myself, I've had challenges and still somehow being able to deliver, that's the hardest challenge.'
Continuing his chat with the Mirror, Charles said that he went to work a few hours after learning of his sister's death, but was 'very subdued' while on the set of the medical drama.
'In my case, when my junior sister passed away, unexpectedly, this would have been three years ago on June 7. I was in my hotel room. I had to go to work the next day. She officially passed away around 4am. I had two days at work before I was due to go home.
'In my insane mind, I thought I could get through those two days. I really thought I would. It was still very raw in my head and my brain. I came to work, I was subdued, anybody who knows me would tell you I'm lively, full of energy, but I was very subdued, and it was still reeling, what just happened was very raw.'
He added: 'I believe I got through the scene, I think I did, 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. More Trending
'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.'
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Last year in Casualty, Jacob was involved in a storyline that saw him make contact with his estranged son Blake.
After discovering Blake had become a father to a baby called Carter, Jacob became the sole carer for the little tot as a result of the mother being in prison, and Blake not being around.
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He then went on an extensive search for Blake. Jacob found him and brought him back to Jan's (Di Botcher) home, determined to help his son and little Carter.
MORE: Coronation Street returns to iconic filming location after 12 years for joyous scenes
MORE: UK soap star congratulates brother on Wimbledon win
MORE: EastEnders legend says 'life is good' as she addresses unemployment following BBC soap exit
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