Casualty star reveals real reason he quit the medical drama

GEORGE Rainsford has confessed the real reason behind his Casualty departure.

The Ethan Hardy actor has opened up about leaving the BBC One show, which devastated fans.

George's character, who is a doctor on the show, came to the realisation that his career was having a negative impact on his personal life, so he left his job to spend more time with his son, Bodhi.

The soap star has since detailed his own personal explanation to leaving the TV screen.

George, 40, explained that his acting career was getting in the way of his own personal life.

He shared: "There were just a few factors, I was living away from home for a long period and I also was missing doing other sorts of acting roles."

George left the show earlier this year, but has admitted that producers are open to his return.

He explained to : “I spoke to [the producers] about an extended break. As yet, there's no return date planned, but I think the door is open."

George's character Ethan previously explored a complex storyline, with the doctor battling Huntington's disease, a condition which affects the brain and which has no cure.

The actor hoped to raise awareness through the plot, explaining: “I just wanted to basically be authentic and make sure I was telling that story correctly.

“I wanted to shine a light on a condition that not a lot of people know about, and I didn't know about to be honest.

“I didn't want to just skirt around the edges and do it generalised, particularly around how you go about telling family members or your work colleagues that you are living with something like that.”