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Clive Mantle, 62, appeared in 82 episodes of BBC ’s Casualty as consultant Dr. Mike Barratt before leaving the soap in 1996. He then returned to reprise his role in Holby City from 1999 to 2001. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk , the soap star opened up about why he finally parted ways with the show. Clive claimed his storylines were being “repeated” on the series, with one particular plot about Jehovah’s Witnesses being used three times.

So that’s why I sort of left when they were repeating stories.

He said: “What I did get upset about was the storylines kept coming round.

“I think in five years in Casualty I did the storyline about Jehovah’s Witnesses not having blood transfusions three times and you go, ‘Hang on there must be something else, there must be another storyline.’

“So that’s why I sort of left when they were repeating stories quite often.”

However, the actor admitted the repetitive nature of the show is probably accurate in reflecting the nature of Accident and Emergency departments.

He added: “But the very nature of an accident and emergency department, the same injuries, the same kind of things come in day after day, so it is a repetitive process working in an A&E department, but as an actor I wanted to do different things.”

In spite of his frustrations about storylines, Clive went on to describe his time on the soap as “lovely”.