Casualty’s Cathy Shipton discusses Duffy’s dementia journey and explains how reflexology helped her to get pregnant

Ahead of her character Duffy's Casualty exit, star Cathy Shipton told the Loose Women that her experience playing a woman with dementia had changed her perception of the condition.

"My knowledge was that people just disappear. Dementia meant you disappear. And I've learned very much to the contrary," she said.

Viewers have followed the story of Cathy's beloved A&E nurse, Lisa 'Duffy' Duffin, for over 30 years, and watched her deal with everything from relationship woes to a HIV scare.

Her latest storyline has seen her battling vascular dementia, and being forced to give up the career she loved as a result.

What was it like to film Duffy's final Casualty scenes?

Fans have already expressed their sadness about her departure but Cathy assured the Loose Women that Duffy's final scenes are "beautifully written".

She said that the character's final episode will be very special for her and explained why she was so eager to make sure Duffy's nursing past wasn't forgotten.

"This is what I stipulated for the character. I wanted her legacy to be positive. Cut Duffy in half and she’s a nurse, she wants to help people," she said.

Cathy also joined the women's discussion about homeopathy and explained why she believes reflexology helped her to get pregnant.

Watch the chat in the video above.

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