Cathy Shipton has felt "completely overwhelmed" by the "outpouring of emotion" after she announced plans to quit \'Casualty\'.
The 62-year-old TV legend has played the iconic part of Lisa "Duffy" Duffin for 33 years on the BBC One medical drama, but she is now filming her final scenes.
She said: "The response has been completely overwhelming, and the outpouring of emotion for the character has been wonderful."
Cathy admitted one of the most touching parts of playing Duffy over the years has been hearing from nurses who were inspired to forge such a career after watching her portray Duffy in the series.
She added: "I just want to say, \'Thank you, guys.\'
"Because it\'s you that keeps this show on the road.
"The best thing that I come away from this show with, for me, as Cath, playing Duffy, is that for all those messages I\'ve received, so many are from nurses saying, \'I\'m a nurse because of you.\'
"So, thank you all the nurses out there that do the real job, and thank you all the viewers out there that have grown up with this character."
Cathy is "grateful" to have played the part for more than three decades.
Speaking in a video shared on the official \'Casualty\' Twitter account, she added: "She is an extraordinary, ordinary woman.
"I feel grateful for having been given the chance to play her.
"It\'s just been a blast."
Last week, Cathy confirmed she is leaving the show.
She said in a statement: "Walking in Duffy\'s shoes through the years has taught me so much, for which I\'ll be forever grateful. I\'m honoured and humbled to have played this inspiring woman.
"With sadness, but a sense of completion, l say goodbye."
