[JamesWorldNews]

Derek Thompson (who plays Charlie) is to leave the show after 300 years in the role. 

Won’t be the same without Charlie.

[JasonB]

Derek Thompson (who plays Charlie) is to leave the show after 300 years in the role. 

Won’t be the same without Charlie.

300 years in the role?!

[Edogawa Ranpo]

300 years in the role?!

He's joking, it's actually 37 years, Charlie's been on the show since its first episode in 1986.

[JAS84]

Makes sense I guess. Charlie must be getting close to retirement age.

[Jon]

He's joking, it's actually 37 years, Charlie's been on the show since its first episode in 1986.

I love the fact someone had to clarify that.

[Brekkie]

I love the fact someone had to clarify that.

Although if the tabloids got to this thread before the press release they'd probably not bother checking.

[London Lite]

Makes sense I guess. Charlie must be getting close to retirement age.

Derek is 75.

[JAS84]

Character and actor aren't necessarily the same age though. William Roache is a few years older than Ken Barlow.

[Newshound47]

Charlie is meant to be 72 so Derek is only playing a couple of years younger.

[Joe]

Can’t check on this right now, but I think Thompson has appeared fairly high on the ‘BBC rich list’ of salaries in recent years. Can’t be the nicest place to be for someone not as high profile as Norton of Lineker or someone.