'I demand a pay rise': Holby City's Hugh Quarshie calls for the same £400,000 wages as BBC's top-earning actor who plays Casualty's Charlie

By Ekin Karasin For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Holby City star High Quarshire has demanded a pay rise from the BBC after learning that Casualty's Derek Thompson earns up to £399,000 a year.

The actor, who has played Ric Griffin on the show for 15 years, said he should be earning the same as his rival Thompson - who plays nurse Charlie Fairhead.

The 62-year-old Ghanian thespian added that the BBC must pay BME talent more money than they currently are. 

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Opinionated: Holby City star High Quarshire has demanded a pay rise from the BBC after learning that Casualty's Derek Thompson earns up to £399,000 a year

Opinionated: Holby City star High Quarshire has demanded a pay rise from the BBC after learning that Casualty's Derek Thompson earns up to £399,000 a year

Hugh's comments come as he reacted to the news that Casualty star Derek, who has been on the show since it began in 1986, earns between £350,000-£399,000 a year.

This makes him the Corporation's highest-paid actor in the drama and comedy departments.

Hugh told The Mirror: 'I didn't know that Derek Thompson earned double the amount of EastEnders (cast) and this plays into my hands and I can demand parity and demand a pay rise.

'As a BME member, I shouldn't be expected to take less, I should be up on there with parity with Derek.

Tense: The actor, who has played Ric Griffin on the soap for 15 years, said he should be earning the same as his rival Thompson - who plays nurse Charlie Fairhead

Tense: The actor, who has played Ric Griffin on the soap for 15 years, said he should be earning the same as his rival Thompson - who plays nurse Charlie Fairhead

'Only one in ten highest paid earners at the BBC are from an ethnic minority and I think it should be higher and it should be more even at the top level.'  

News that Thompson is paid such a high sum was not received well by many commentators, who said it was 'shameful' he earns that much to 'pretend to be a nurse'.

Harrison Carter, a spokesperson for the British Medical Association, wrote on Twitter: 'Derek Thompson pretends to be a nurse on @BBCCasualty and gets paid £350-400,000. Real nurses face a 14% real terms pay cut #BBCPay.'

Meanwhile, Councillor Ben Walker wrote: 'Casualty 'star' Derek Thompson is paid £350-400k to play a nurse. The average salary for a #NHS nurse is £23k. Shameful.'

Honest: Hugh told The Mirror : 'I didn't know that Derek Thompson earned double the amount of EastEnders (cast) and this plays into my hands and I can demand parity and demand a pay rise

Honest: Hugh told The Mirror : 'I didn't know that Derek Thompson earned double the amount of EastEnders (cast) and this plays into my hands and I can demand parity and demand a pay rise

However, the news was not considered as much of a shock within the TV industry and among fans of Casualty, particularly as the show is considered one of the BBC's prize assets.

A source told the Daily Mail: 'Derek is the longest-serving actor on Casualty and has been working there for over 30 years. 

'His pay was never going to go down each year and he must have just kept climbing the ladder. He's very well-liked in the industry, I doubt too many people would begrudge him that.'

Having celebrated its 30th anniversary last September, Casualty won the Best Drama award at this year's National Television Awards, and it regularly draws a consolidated audience of 5million to BBC One each Saturday night.

Other stars from the drama to feature on the list included Catherine Shipton, who earns up to £199,999 per year for her role as Duffy.

Awkward: Hugh's comments come as he reacted to the news that Casualty star Derek, who has been on the show since it began in 1986, earns between £350,000-£399,000 a year

Awkward: Hugh's comments come as he reacted to the news that Casualty star Derek, who has been on the show since it began in 1986, earns between £350,000-£399,000 a year

 

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