Connie Connie Connie!

Can't wait to see her again.

Tonight's episode is an ex-soap star fest: Tina O'Brien (Coronation Street), Kacey Ainsworth (EastEnders) and Mark Silcock (Emmerdale).

I remember the days when Casualty guest artists used to be good, unknown actors.

Kacey was in Holby Blue too. Rather ironic Holby City's most famous female character makes her Casualty debut tonight playing the same role when many others are playing multiple roles over and over. I guess this is the problem when a show needs to use guest stars each week. I suppose they go for known names in an attempt to interest non regular viewers. Its milked the cow to death now though.

I bet to add insult to injury Kacey Ainsworth's character will be treated by Rita (Chloe Howman was also in Holby Blue).

I really miss Holby Blue actually, it was so enjoyable! I think its failure was more to do with scheduling decisions than the actual quality of the show. But perhaps it's a good thing it didn't last; if it had turned out really soapy the way that the other two have, it would certainly change the fond way in which I think of it.

I can't speak for the others but I remember Tina O'Brien appeared back in 2011. I think her character had a methadone addiction and was killed in the end by someone who promised to sell her meth. Need to find these episodes again as I can't remember the full details.

Yes, she did. She and her friend were recurring characters for a couple of episodes, and were treated by Linda.

Furthermore, having played a police officer in HolbyBlue, she's playing a different police officer (a DS) in tonight's episode!

The big-name guest stars casting really took off in series 6 (1991) and 7 (1992/3), although they'd had well-known actors in the show before that. By the early 90s, Casualty was hugely popular and held in very high esteem, so you'd get lots of very well-known faces associated with lighter acting roles, such as Peggy Mount, Rula Lenska and Dora Bryan, popping up to show that they could do 'gritty'. Casualty seemed to be a programme that lots of different types wanted to be in at that point, whereas now it tends to be weighted towards ex-soap stars.

Hi all - on air.

One RTC coming up..

Haven't watched Casualty in years, however Connie "Well I am the Queen" is back. Yay!!!

I bloody love Connie the Barbarian

Dad answers - RTC.. in 3...2....1.....

Me neither but I am have made a point to watch tonight as the fabulous Connie is back on screen. She has to be the best consultant since Meyers in Holby

Was Ash working as a nurse last time Connie was around?

I'm not sure but Connie was in Holby and Ash would have been still in Casualty.

No, Ash was last seen in 1998 at Baz and Charlie's wedding

Was that Sarah Lou Platt?

(Shallow post alert) The actress playing Connie looks like she hasn't aged a day since Holby, she actually looks even better now!

Also Sarah Platt still looks like she is 14 lol

I don't think Zoe has any chance up against Connie lol

I love the way Connie keeps on talking her way out of tight spots. She's even made Robyn into a halfway-decent character.

I really enjoyed that - I think Casualty's seriously missed a really strong character in recent years, and Connie's just what the show needs.

Judging by the messages posted so far, I suspect I'm very much in the minority, but I never understood the appeal of Connie Beauchamp, and watching tonight's episode I'm reminded of just why I disliked her in Holby City so much. Swanning around, acting like she owns the place, wearing that constant condescending smirk, coupled with the predictable "Oh my God, isn't she wonderful" slack-jawed adulation from all and sundry. I didn't think anyone could make Zoe look like good in comparison, but she's succeeded admirably.

Connie at the end was thinking, Get out of my office!

Finally someone worthy of Nick Jordan's replacement.

Yeh I stopped watching after Jordan left. Purposely watched tonight knowing Connie would be there.