CASUALTY’s long serving supporting artist Paul ‘Oscar’ Anderson this month found himself enduring a real-life medical drama after contracting pneumonia.
Anderson was rushed to hospital on New Years Day (his birthday) after suffering agonising pain in his left knee which prevented him from walking.
It was on arrival at the BRI, that medics realised the severity of his condition and his brother, David and sister, Elaine were told the next 24 hours would be critical.
He told the Bristol Evening Post, ‘I was completely unaware of how bad I was. All I knew was that I having difficulty breathing and that was worrying me.’ adding ‘I am just really glad to be alive – I did not realise how bad I was and how critical the situation had become’.
Following an operation, Anderson is regaining his strength but will continue to be in a hospital for a number of weeks whilst he regains his strength. The trained dancer said, ”It is difficult because I am on a Zimmer frame and am basically having to learn to walk again’. However he praised the real life medics who have cared for him.
Anderson, believed to be the longest serving extra on TV, has been on CASUALTY since the first episode. He played a junior doctor for the first two years, then went on to playing a nurse and a patient, as well as having a minor speaking role in a 1996 episode. But he is most familiar to fans as porter Oscar.
All of us at holby.tv send ‘Oscar’ our warmest well wishes.
