Characterisation and family Fletch is billed as "the ultimate cheeky chappy" who enjoys sport, drinking alcohol and women. On the character, series producer
Nikki Wilson commented, "You'll see a real charm, energy and playfulness from his character, which is absolutely joyous." Fletch likes working in the hospital because it reminds him of happy memories and his family. Fletch does not struggle when dealing with nervous and stressed patients. He will always go "the extra mile" for his patients and is described as "your go-to if you need straight-talking advice". He told Laura-Jayne Tyler of
Inside Soap that he preferred wearing Fletch's
nursing scrubs to the police uniform that he wore on
The Bill. and is a ward manager when he joins
Holby City. Walkinshaw told ''What's on TV'' reporter Victoria Wilson that Fletch's children are his "happy place" and they mean "absolutely everything" to him. His first scenes were previewed in a promotional trailer for episodes 31-42, released on 12 April 2012. When Fletch arrives, staff nurse
Lloyd Asike (
Michael Obiora) is assigned to be his mentor.
Friendships (
pictured) portrays Fletch's mentor,
Lloyd Asike. Fletch gets along well with his colleagues, who like his fun personality. However, he clashes with mentor Lloyd. Jacobs explained that Donna "tramples on a few toes" as she returns. Donna returns while the hospital staff are grieving following the death of doctor
Jasmine Burrows (
Lucinda Dryzek). She returns with an energy that annoys Fletch; Jacobs told Sarah Deen of the
Metro that Donna's energy is "slightly misplaced" and that she enjoyed portraying the tension between Fletch and Donna. However, the pair eventually establish a friendship after Donna opens up to Fletch about her personal life.
Affair with Tess Bateman Ahead of his introduction, Walkinshaw said that Fletch and Tess would become friends when Tess becomes drawn to Fletch's humorous personality and his ability to create laughter in the ED. Producers devised a new storyline for Fletch and Tess when their friendship turns into an affair. Walkinshaw thought the storyline was natural and described it as an "honest, slow-burning development". Fletch and Tess' relationship is explored in a special episode, entitled "
Mistletoe and Rum", made available to watch on
BBC Red Button on 15 December 2012. The special follows Fletch and Tess on the ED nurses' Christmas night out. However, their evening is disrupted when they discover Tyron, a homeless man who needs emergency treatment when he goes into a
hypoglycaemic coma, and have to treat him. Fletch is assigned to be Aoife's mentor and she soon develops romantic feelings for him. Fletch does not realise this so Tess tries to warn him, but he brushes off her concerns and insists that he is "a father figure" to Aoife. Tess does not approve of Fletch's behaviour around Aoife, who she deems "an impressionable nurse". When Tess discovers that Fletch has spoken to Aoife, she agrees to go for a drink with him and at the end of the night, Fletch and Tess kiss. A ''What's on TV'' journalist wondered whether this would spark the start of an affair for the characters. Fletch and Tess then have sex. Walkinshaw pointed out that it has taken the couple some time to reach this point. Walkinshaw stated that the story has several "interesting twists and turns". He added that he was enjoying the story because it pairs two characters that are not expected to be paired. Zoe later realises that they have been in a relationship after noticing the tension between them at work. The following week, Natalie arrives in the ED to see Fletch but is admitted after fainting. Tess treats Natalie and discovers that she is pregnant. Tess goes home, unaware of her mistake, and Fletch covers for her by replacing her initials on the notes with his. Tess is surprised to discover that Fletch made the error and he confesses that he covered for her because he blames himself for her distraction. Following the error, Fletch faces a tribunal and Tess struggles to cope, "distraught" that her actions could mean that Fletch loses his job. At the end of his shift, Fletch discovers that he has only been cautioned by the HR department. Fletch admits that they spoke outside the hospital where Peter fell over, but he did not attack Peter. Matt calls the police and they arrest Fletch after reviewing the CCTV footage of their argument.
Breakdown of marriage Writers decided to focus on Fletch and Natalie's marriage by having her discover his affair. She arrives at the ED when Fletch has to stay for an extra shift, suspecting Fletch of having an affair. Fletch reassures Natalie that they have a strong marriage, but he eventually reveals that he had an affair with a colleague, but claims that it was with a nurse who has left the hospital. Walkinshaw thought that Natalie would "absolutely devastated" if she discovered that Fletch had an affair with Tess. A ''What's on TV'' journalist pointed out that Fletch believes that "he's pretty certain life can't get any worse". The argument causes their daughter Evie Fletcher (Sarah Staniforth) to run away, causing "blind panic at her disappearance". Natalie is later admitted to the ED in labour and Tess is forced to deliver the baby. Afterward, there are complications with the baby and Zoe has to resuscitate him.
Gambling addiction Fletch became the subject of a
gambling addiction storyline in April 2014. The storyline begins when Fletch begins having "playful bets" with registrar
Caleb Knight (
Richard Winsor), but he later starts
online gambling. Cal then suggests to Fletch that he tries
spread betting on the stock exchange, which requires a £500 starting stake. However, Fletch realises what he has done when he loses his money, which is one month's mortgage payment. Walkinshaw said that Fletch "finds himself into a bit of a pickle!" When Tess realises, she warns him and says he is not allowed any more overtime. Fletch then accepts a second job as a taxi driver. Tess becomes suspicious of Fletch and he admits that he has a second job, leaving Tess "unimpressed".
Departure On 1 April 2014, it was announced that Fletch would be leaving
Casualty to join its spin-off series,
Holby City. Walkinshaw stated that Fletch leaves for a new challenge after his affair with Tess is revisited. He revealed that what happens with the story means that Fletch has to leave. He was sad to leave the show and said he would miss his colleagues, who he hoped to stay in touch with. Reflecting on his character's storylines, Walkinshaw said that he enjoyed portraying the lighter material, but also liked the "agonising" material. In the episode, Tess is involved in a train crash. Walkinshaw explained that Fletch "goes into panic" when he discovers that Tess in on the derailed train. He realises that he has been ignoring his romantic feelings for Tess. The train explodes as Fletch is rescuing Tess, but they appear through the smoke of the explosion. Phillips thought the image was powerful and believed the audience would remember it. Reflecting on his tenure on the show, Walkinshaw said that he could find a highlight in every day of his work and described the show as "a lovely place to be and work". Phillips was disappointed that Fletch would not continue his story on
Casualty, but he expected to feel the repercussions of the storyline on the show.
Holby City introduction Producers wanted to introduce a new male nurse that could work with
Jonny Maconie (
Michael Thomson) and "lock horns" with director of nursing
Colette Sheward (
Louise Delamere). Harper thought that moving Fletch to
Holby City would be risky due to his association with
Casualty. Despite this, he felt that Walkinshaw brought "cheek and charm" to the show, which he liked. She was pleased that Walkinshaw had joined the cast as she had tried to get him to join for several years and expected him to attract a new audience for the show. With the announcement that Fletch would join
Holby City, Walkinshaw stated that after leaving his job in the ED, Fletch is offered a new job in the hospital. Kent and Harper agreed that Fletch's introduction allows for the AAU to become "fun again". However, Ric becomes impressed with Fletch when he performs a difficult procedure. Fletch tries to prove himself by hiring an agency nurse to help with the workload.
Helen Flanagan was cast as Kirsty Brompton, a "lazy and wily" agency nurse who Fletch hires after meeting her in a bar. Kent stated that Flanagan's appearance would be "an episode to watch" and that Kirsty would "ruffle some feathers" with Colette. When the AAU becomes understaffed, Fletch tries to hide this and sort the ward single-handedly, but Colette soon realises the truth.
Colette Sheward Writers established a link between Fletch and Colette when it emerges that they were engaged fifteen years previously, but she jilted him on their wedding day. Delamere explained that Colette jilted Fletch because she wanted to explore other things before settling down. while Walkinshaw teased that Fletch would have to decide how to create a working relationship with Colette. Colette realises Guy's intentions and reacts badly to Fletch's arrival. When Raf confides in Fletch about his marital problems, Fletch agrees to help Raf. He assigns him to a complex case and encourages Raf to focus on his career. McFadden enjoyed working with Walkinshaw and opined that he was enjoyable to spend time with. Fletch tries to impress Naomi and decides to ask her on a date, presuming that Raf will babysit his children. Raf becomes irritated by Fletch's behaviour and feels that he is "being taken for granted". Naomi later dumps Fletch without warning after developing an attraction to Raf. Raf feels guilty and tries to hide his feelings for Naomi, although Fletch soon realises. He tells Raf that he will move out of his house, although he changes her mind when they reconcile. McFadden left the series in 2017 and Raf was killed off in a
hospital shooting in December. Fletch struggles to grieve for Raf following his death. A few weeks later, Fletch is sent Raf's record collection as part of his inheritance. A patient then suggests that Raf wants Fletch to complete and order the collection, which he continues to do.
Single fatherhood and poverty Fletch's first major storyline in
Holby City commenced in January 2015 when his and Natalie's divorce is finalised. Natalie celebrates her divorce with her friend Bex Kimber (Emma Cooke) and they arrive on the AAU, where Fletch is on shift, after Bex is admitted. Natalie reveals that she is moving to
Sunderland with their children, having accepted a job there. Fletch is annoyed and speaks to Bex, who explains that Natalie is "deeply unhappy as a result of their marriage breakdown" and needs to start afresh. The divorce left Fletch without any savings so when he becomes a single father, he is left with financial strain. Producers decided to kill off Natalie because it would create several new storylines for Fletch, including his struggle as a single father and his financial struggles, which were shown onscreen. Evie Fletcher (Macey Chipping), Fletch's eldest daughter, was introduced in April 2015 as part of the storyline. Fletch's debts increase when his car is clamped after parking illegally to help a patient. Fletch confesses his financial problems to porter Clifford George (
Geff Francis), who becomes a friend for Fletch. However, Walkinshaw believed that these actions are "not really Fletch". Walkinshaw explained that Fletch justifies the raid because Clifford has said that nobody would get hurt. Writers included an "awful" and "really sad" twist to Fletch's financial storyline when he and his children are evicted from their home. On the twist, Walkinshaw commented, "Fletch is the sort of person who cheers everyone else up when the truth is that inside he's dying." Walkinshaw said that Fletch is hesitant to get involved in the raid because he is "a decent, honest man" and the raid does not feel right to him. Fletch panics that his children are in danger, so agrees to help. However, when Fletch's patient deteriorates, he cannot attend the raid. He asks Clifford to anonymously tell the police the name of a gang member, but Clifford refuses, so Fletch warns Clifford to sort the situation or he will. Clifford then leaves the hospital without telling anyone. A ''What's on TV'' reporter said, "it's anyone's guess whether we'll see him again..." Clifford later returns to the hospital when he is injured in a car accident and Mo does not force Fletch to leave. Fletch and his family are also invited to live with Raf when he discovers they are homeless. It emerges that Mikey hurt Evie by pushing her down the stairs. As Evie prepares to be discharged, she tells Serena that she does not want to return home. Fletch also tells Serena that he blames himself for the accident so she reunites Fletch and Evie. Walkinshaw's return was announced on 28 June 2016, alongside two other
Holby City cast members. Walkinshaw reprises his role in
Casualty again during its
thirty-third series for a two-part crossover episode - "
CasualtyXHolby" - with
Holby City, originally broadcast in March 2019. He returned for another episode during the series, originally broadcast on 13 April 2019. In August 2019, Jane Wallbank, the series producer of
Holby City, announced plans for "more complex character" crossovers between the two shows. As part of this commitment, Fletch appears again in
Casualty during the
thirty-fourth series. His appearance was first broadcast on 28 March 2020. The character appears as Charlie is grieving for his wife,
Duffy (
Cathy Shipton), and concerns have been raised about his wellbeing. Charlie responds poorly to the meeting and confronts Fletch about whether someone has complained. This leads to Charlie quitting his job.
Temporary paralysis , portrayed by
Jemma Redgrave (
pictured), felt guilty for Fletch being stabbed. The aftermath of
Casualty thirtieth anniversary episode was explored in the following
Holby City episode, "
Protect and Serve". Writers placed Fletch at the centre of the episode and used it to develop a new story for the character. In terms of production, the episode is a standalone episode and was filmed out of order from other episodes. In the episode, Fletch struggles to manage the wards following the crash and has to treat Steph Sims (
Tonicha Lawrence), the "unstable" woman who caused Fletch's former colleague
Connie Beauchamp (
Amanda Mealing) to drive her car off the edge of a cliff. James and Steph disappear from the ward and Fletch discovers them in the basement with James threatening Steph with a screwdriver. As Fletch tries to calm him down, James accidentally stabs Fletch in the stomach. Walkinshaw thought it was realistic for so many bad things to happen to Fletch, but expected that something good would happen to him eventually. Writers planted a "worrying twist" in the story when Fletch's blood pressure drops as doctors attempt to wake him from his coma. However, when doctors try to awake Fletch again, he successfully awakes. Raf then takes over Fletch's care. Walkinshaw explained that Fletch and Raf's friendship is that close that Raf wants to do anything he can to save Fletch. Raf and Bernie then perform a
lumbar puncture on Fletch and he is "terrified" when he cannot feel the needle. As Jay has a seizure and starts foaming at the mouth, Fletch is forced to help him as he cannot reach the call button. Fletch "hoists" himself from his bed and lays next to Jay, stopping him choking and shouting for help. Artem returns after being admitted following a collapse at the airport. Fletch discovers that he was travelling to see his long-lost daughter and decides to find her. Fletch manages to find Artem's daughter, but she refuses to have contact with him. When it is discovered that Artem needs a life-threatening operation, Fletch manages to get him a less risky operation. After much deliberation, Artem agrees to the surgery, but he dies in theatre, leaving Fletch gutted. Walkinshaw enjoyed working with Woodeson, who he described as "a proper heavyweight", and would often find himself chatting with him in between takes. He believed that their friendship enabled the characters to portray the chemistry that was wanted for the scenes. Her appearance as Sydney Somers was previewed in a show trailer released in March 2017. It was teased that Sydney would "cause a world of trouble for Fletch due to her connection with someone close to him." Laura-Jayne Tyler of
Inside Soap confirmed that Oaten would play an agency nurse who believes that Fletch has money that belongs to her. She added that Sydney would be "fiercely determined to get her hands on it!". Oaten told Tyler that she enjoyed filming with Walkinshaw and learnt a lot from him. As Fletch finds out more information about Sydney, he is "dumbstruck" to discover that she is Artem's daughter. Sydney then threatens Fletch with legal action over a claim to Artem's inheritance. As Fletch prepares to go on holiday with his family, he questions whether he deserves the inheritance. Now in charge of agency nurses, Sydney meets with Fletch to discuss the shortage on AAU. Fletch asks the agency nurses to work an extra 30 minutes unpaid, but Sydney rejects the idea, so he refuses to take any more of her agency staff. Fletch is criticised for his actions by his superiors. Walkinshaw explained that his character is "getting a bit of a wake-up call". On the day of his interview, his managerial skills are tested in a real life application. He has to unexpectedly find some theatre space and enlists Jac's help in operating on the patient. Fletch struggles with the pressure that comes with the role and has to deal with multiple issues. Walkinshaw explained that it was "just too big a job for Fletch" and "a massive step up" from his normal position.
Jac Naylor and Abigail Tait In an August 2017 interview with
Digital Spy, series producer Kate Hall revealed that she had paired Fletch with Jac Naylor, the director of cardiothoracics, for a new storyline as she thought that they had a "palpable" connection. She billed the pairing as "delicious and electric" and compared it to
Bruce Willis and
Cybill Shepherd in
Moonlighting or
Cary Grant and
Katharine Hepburn. On the comparison, Marcel told Laura-Jayne Tyler, writing for
Inside Soap, that she loved playing the
Moonlighting aspect of the relationship and that Walkinshaw would be Shepherd to her Willis. Jac leaves the hospital for four weeks of annual leave but opts not to tell Fletch about her feelings first. A
What to Watch columnist thought that "it's obvious Jac has eyes for Fletch". Marcel told Laura-Jayne Tyler from
Inside Soap that she and Walkinshaw did not want to be paired together as they felt that the characters would not suit. She hoped that they would not share a kiss and compared it to "snogging my brother!" The pair continue to clash over managerial decisions. When hiring a new senior staff nurse, Abigail insists on interviewing multiple candidates whilst Fletch wants to hire Donna. In one episode, Abigail begins to question Fletch's suitability to his role after his altercation with Sydney and a second incident with a visitor on the ward. Walkinshaw explained that Fletch is "really under the cosh" and receives a "wake-up call" from Abigail. Walkinshaw teased that it could be "absolutely anyone" as Fletch is a "bit of a Jack-the-lad who likes to 'play the averages'". Fletch is surprised by Jac's return. Marcel thought that it was "obvious" that Fletch had missed Jac and liked this element. On their relationship, the actress commented, "Fletch suffers her and she knows he suffers her". Afterwards, Fletch avoids seeing Jac as he feels guilty. Once he learns about her near-fatal condition, Fletch suffers a panic attack but later visits her. Their friendship strengthens and develops over many months. Frieda encourages Fletch to discuss his feelings with Jac, who "shies away" from the conversation and insists they are just colleagues.
Introduction of father Jesse Birdsall was cast in the series as Fletch's estranged father, Steven Fletcher, in July 2018. A reporter from
Inside Soap wrote that it would not be a "joyful reunion" for Fletch and Steven as the former bans his father from meeting his children. It also states that Fletch was born when Steven was 15, making him a young father. Over multiple episodes, Fletch and Steven eventually reconcile with the former "starting to enjoy" Steven's presence. Having previously worked together on an episode of
Anna Lee in 1994, Walkinshaw enjoyed working with Birdsall again and felt they shared "good chemistry". Steven returns to the hospital as a patient, admitted with broken ribs and a collapsed lung. Fletch confronts him about his disappearance. He admits the reasons behind his exit and although Fletch is initially annoyed with Jac, Steven encourages him to realise that Jac did it because she cares for him. The episode highlights how Fletch struggles with the Christmas period due to some "painful memories". His backstory is explored as it is explained that Steven abandoned his family on Christmas Eve after struggling with his own father's death at Christmas years prior. The episode begins with a flashback to Fletch as a child. Young actor Aaron Mullen was cast as the younger version of Fletch. Jack Donoghue was introduced as Jaiyden Taylor, the stepson of Steven; Jaiyden and his siblings had been raised by Steven. Fletch found the revelation emotional and struggled with his feelings. Fletch speaks with Jaiyden's mother and Evie, and eventually, he learns the reason behind Steven leaving and decides to spend Christmas with him.
Relationship with Ange Godard In January 2019, consultant
Ange Godard (
Dawn Steele) was introduced. Tyler from
Inside Soap noticed chemistry between Walkinshaw and Steele during filming when visiting the set and asked Steele about a possible relationship between their characters. She was unsure about any plans for the characters, but thought it should not be for a while due to Fletch's story with Jac and Ange's new storylines. The characters begin to appear together during the two-part episode "
A Simple Lie", focusing on Ange's
right to life story. As Ange is targeted by protestors over her treatment of a braindead patient, Fletch offers her support. She is attacked by the protestors, so Fletch publicly defends her. Steele thought it was nice that Ange had support from Fletch. Fletch works with Jac and Hanssen to search CCTV footage and eventually receives contact from the kidnapper, who suggests they are a protestor and warns him not to involve the police. Fletch searches the hospital armed with a surgical scalpel and Ange helps him with the search. Steele explained that Ange feels guilty as she brought the protestors to the hospital. Over time, a romance between Fletch and Ange was developed by scriptwriters. Jane Wallbank, the show's series producer, pointed out that the couple "fancy each other rotten", despite not being compatible. She told Dainty (
Digital Spy), "He’s a homebody with four young kids and Ange is more adventurous". The actress enjoyed how the relationship demonstrated a playful side to her character. Fletch worries that he has ruined his chances, but Ange still arrives for their date, delighting their colleagues. Steele observed that Fletch was "like Ange's guardian angel recently". She admitted that she had not been told how the relationship would progress. Fletch decides to investigate Evan and invites him for a drink, infuriating Ange. However, they reconcile when Fletch manages to expose Evan for planting a camera in Chloe's flat and have him arrested. During Fletch's cancer story, his relationship with Ange was sidelined. Production was suspended on
Holby City in light of
COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. After running out of episodes filmed before production paused, the show took an hiatus in August 2020. In the final episode before the hiatus, writers created hints of tension between Fletch and Ange with an intention for this tension to be explored in subsequent episodes. When the show returns to broadcast in November 2020, their relationship is explored again. Fletch begins "some major soul-searching" about his future and questions whether Ange is part of that. Together, Fletch and Essie prepare for the challenges of their battles, learning "their worst fears, their lost opportunities and what futures they need to make plans for". Writers began the story with Essie's formal diagnosis while portraying early signs in Fletch's health, such as experiencing "worrying dizzy spells". Fletch soon notices his exhaustion and secretly orders tests, predicting a diagnosis of diabetes. However, when he receives the results, he learns that he has
prostate cancer. Walkinshaw explained that Fletch feels "shocked, devastated and scared" by the news and becomes worried for his children, especially as Natalie is dead. Fletch confides in Essie about his diagnosis, aware that she also has cancer, and encourages him to speak to Hanssen. Walkinshaw believed that Fletch feels happy telling Hanssen as he has "a lot of respect" for him. A show publicist noted that "poor Evie is none the wiser". Evie informs Fletch that she is planning to leave school, having fallen behind while caring for her siblings. Walkinshaw explained that Fletch is struggling to focus on his treatment whilst also being a single parent. He recognised that his character is not "the most conventional dad - but he's the best dad he can be". Fletch and Essie's story took focus in an episode taking place over three weeks, concluding with an appointment to learn if their treatment was working. The change in timeframe was designed to provide the story with "some proper momentum". In the cancer suite, the pair meet Jasper, a teenage patient with bowel cancer. Walkinshaw explained that "unlikely relationships are formed" in cancer suites as there are people of varying ages. Essie's story concludes with her exit. On her wedding day, Fletch escorts Essie to the hospital chapel but when they arrive, Fletch finds that Essie has died peacefully.
Kian Madani A
Holby City promotional trailer, released on 29 April 2021, included scenes of Fletch confronting consultant Kian Madani (
Ramin Karimloo) after Evie and Andrei Tarpov (Sonny Poon Tip) are stabbed. Dainty (
Digital Spy) reported that Fletch would be drawn into "the tangled web of Kian's chaos" after Evie becomes involved with Andrei, a patient who Kian is over-involved with. Walkinshaw explained that this story would challenge his friendship with Kian and commented, "It's not going to be an easy journey for any of them." Fletch warns Evie and Andrei to stay away from each other. Lucky contacts social services, but regrets it. When Andrei realises what is happening, he panics and runs away with Evie. Fletch realises and reacts by punching Kian. Walkinshaw explained that his character becomes aggressive because one of his children have become involved. He pointed out, "He reacts in a way you haven't see Fletch react before". The actor enjoyed playing the "dark and angry" side to his character. Evie and Andrei are stabbed by the gang looking for Andrei and admitted into the hospital. Karimloo highlighted that the pair are in serious danger. Kian feels unsure about who should be the priority for treatment and clashes with Fletch who believes Evie should be the priority. However, the choice is removed when Evie's condition deteriorates. Fletch bans Kian from operating on his daughter, believing him to be unfit. Karimloo understood the decision and noted that Fletch has "lost faith and trust in Kian", both personally and professionally. His fate was left unresolved until the next episode, where he is pronounced dead. Writers played out Fletch's guilt about Kian's death alongside his concerns for Evie who is encountering complications in theatre. On the intensity of the situation, Walkinshaw said, "Life isn't always sweetness and light, sometimes it's just rubbish and people go through one catastrophic event after another." Fletch tells Andrei that he will set him up with a new life away from Evie, which infuriates her. Walkinshaw thought Fletch "handles things really badly" but justified it as Fletch being protective over "his little girl". portrays Jeni Sinclair, who grooms Fletch's daughter Evie. Writers began to showcase suspicious behaviour from Jeni, making the audience question her motives. Through her relationship with Fletch, she develops a close relationship with Evie and creates conflict between father and daughter. Jeni is then revealed to be the leader of a sex ring and is grooming teenage girls like Evie. Richard Pepper was introduced into the plot as patient Rich Peterson, a man who uses Jeni's sexual exploitation business. Rich becomes interested in Evie, but Jeni is hesitant to involve Evie. Stephenson noted that Jeni wants to distance her two lives and keep her business secret. Evie begins a relationship with Rich, which she initially hides from her father. However, she eventually changes her mind and prepares to tell Fletch. Before she can, Fletch witnesses an intimate conversation between the pair and punches Rich, who ends up hospitalised and requiring emergency surgery. Jeni becomes worried that her crimes will be exposed, so she threatens Evie into not exposing her, otherwise she will report Fletch to the police. Stephenson pointed out that although Jeni is interested in Fletch, "no relationship will stop Jeni continuing with her business". Lucky is then admitted to the hospital with a major head injury, having been found in Jeni's office. Fletch then receives images of the proof Lucky obtained. Walkinshaw confirmed that this would spark "a road of discovery" for Fletch. Donna's daughter, Mia Barron (Brianna Shann), is admitted and undergoes emergency surgery for an ectopic pregnancy. Fletch questions Evie over an argument with Mia and she reveals everything; Fletch feels "sick to his stomach". The scene was filmed in a corridor, having originally planned to be filmed outdoors. The change happened after it unexpectedly rained. French found the scene challenging to film and was grateful to have Walkinshaw to play opposite. Jeni soon realises that something is wrong and plans to leave Holby, taking Evie with her. Writers created a final showdown as Fletch and Donna work together to track down Jeni. Stephenson explained, "the more Jeni's cornered, the more she fights for herself". Jacobs explained that Donna feels that Fletch should not have let Jeni into their lives and now believes that Fletch is a danger to her child. Writers did not fix the friendship before the show's final episode. Walkinshaw recognised that it was hard to resolve what happened, but predicted that if the show continued, the pair's mature attitudes would lead to them reuniting. The story concludes when Lucky engineers a heart-to-heart between Fletch and Evie. This marked French's final appearance on the show. She enjoyed working opposite Walkinshaw and felt that he taught her a lot.
Final stories In June 2021, it was announced that
Holby City had been cancelled after twenty-three series. The
final episode was broadcast in March 2022. The decision to cancel the show was criticised and Walkinshaw appreciated the love shown to
Holby City following the announcement. Story producer Ben Wadey told Calli Kitson from
Metro that the story team had to create suitable endings for all the regular characters. Fletch's final stories included becoming disillusioned with the hospital and supporting Jac through her terminal illness and surgeries. A promotional trailer was released on 29 December 2021, previewing the final stories of the show. This included Fletch being offered a new job away from the hospital. One of the show's final stories portray the hospital facing closure after a poor inspection. One of the inspectors, Regina Marriott (Karen Ascoe), works at neighbouring hospital St. James. She offers Fletch a managerial position at the hospital, which he considers. An
Inside Soap columnist noted that "Fletch's faith in the system is left seriously dented". Fletch and Jac have a conversation, where she encourages him to stay because she needs his support. Fletch then calls Regina and declines the job. Fletch's close relationship with Jac meant that he was involved in the story prominently. Writers used their relationship to write an emotional scene where Fletch learns about Jac's illness. Fletch feels upset that Jac did not tell him, but she explains that she enjoyed "the false reality Fletch's obliviousness allowed". Fletch appears in the show's finale episode, which was broadcast on 29 March 2022. The episode features the death of Jac. They share their final scenes together when Jac asks Fletch to arrange an Advance Decision to Refuse Treatment (ADRT) for her, which he initially rejects. Jac then suffers a stroke and when alone, Fletch sits by her bedside and cries. The final shot of the episode sees the team, including Fletch, prepare for a major incident. Wadey explained that this was designed to demonstrate how life continues. He enjoyed the final story and thought it was an appropriate end to the drama. Fletch meets Charlie to chat about Jac, reflecting on her work and their relationship. Walkinshaw enjoyed filming the scene with Thompson and opined that it was "tinged with sadness". == Reception ==