Harry’s Last Hurrah

The consultant hangs up his stethoscope…

Holby A&E manager Harry Harper bids farewell to the hospital this week – but the top doctor doesn’t leave his post willingly! Harry put his job on the line recently by choosing to leak the emotional diary of suicidal trainee medic Ruth Winters to the press, and now he must face the consequences…

“Harry feels very strongly that junior doctors are being put under too much pressure,” explains Simon MacCorkindale, who plays the department head. “He thinks Ruth should be used as an example of what can happen when they’re pushed too far, and wants to make everyone aware of the issue. His superiors aren’t happy with his actions, though, and force him to resign.”

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Spin Doctor

Harry is elected Holby’s new MP – but we haven’t seen the last of actor Simon MacCorkindale on the hospital wards. . .

Ever since we heard that Simon MacCorkindale was planning to quit his role as Casualty’s Harry Harper, the Inside Soap team has be distraught. How on earth would the emergency department ever be able to cope without him? And who else could offer the patients such a charming bedside manner? Luckily, when we put these questions to the man himself, it didn’t take him long to quell our worries. . .

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Goodbye, Si

There’s bad news for fans of hospital drama Casualty – it looks like Simon MacCorkindale, who plays Harry Harper, could soon be leaving the show. The star recently admitted that he’s considering quitting his role to pursue his cherished dream of big-screen success.

“There comes a point when you feel you’ve done enough,” reveals the 54-year-old. “And I’ve always felt that the best part of my career would be at the latter end. I want to go on as an actor and move up to the next level.”

Loose Lips – The Stars . . . In Their Own Words

“I feel my time as as actor and leading man is now”

At the grand old age of 53, Simon is more content than ever with his impressive acting career.

“They put us up against Dallas on a Friday night. It was suicide!”

One of Simon’s most bizarre roles was as a professor with the power to turn into animals. Sadly, Manimal was axed after three months in 1983!

“The farm provides us with two contrasting lifestyles – it’s restful after a hectic day”

The actor and his wife, Susan, Live on a large farm in Exmoor, Devon where they breed Georgian Arabian horses.

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New A&E consultant Harry Harper realises that he is going to be in for a rough ride with headstrong Lara Stone this fortnight. Lara has several run-ins with bullying Detective Inspector David Collier until finally, Harry is forced to reprimand her for her unprofessional manner.

“Harry picks up very quickly that Lara is a little fragile,” reveals Simon MacCorkindale, who plays the new recruit. “He doesn’t question her skills as a doctor but he feels that she can get a little too emotionally involved with the patients.”

While Harry and Lara clash, Simon is happily settling into his new role, where he is set to play the doctor for the foreseeable future.

“Harry’s a great character,” reveals Simon. “He’s a bit of a super doctor. He is also a family man and has five children but he still has an eye for a pretty girl! I like him a lot.”

Simon has a wealth of acting experience including the US soap Falcon Crest and hit films such as Death On The Nile. He admits that it was daunting to join such a close cast but he laughingly explains that some real-life experiences have helped him to adapt to the hospital environment.
“Being an outdoors person, I have spent a lot of time in A&E over the years with various war wounds!”

Simon Signs Up

Holby is to have a familiar face coming through its doors when actor Simon MacCorkindale joins the cast of Casualty. The former Falcon Crest and Manimal star has appeared in a long list of US productions, and is delighted to be back working in the UK. “I’ve always been a fan of Casualty” he reveals. “It’s great to be joining such an established show with a lovely bunch of people.” Simon will play consultant Harry Harper, and his first episode will be on screen in May.