Casualty spoilers follow for Saturday’s episode (10 January), which is available to watch now on streaming service BBC iPlayer and hasn’t yet aired on TV. This article contains storyline details that some viewers may prefer to avoid.
Casualty has finally confirmed the fate of Ngozi Okoye, in the dramatic first episode of the new boxset, ‘Learning Curve’. Viewers have been waiting since September to find out whether nurse Ngozi survived after a devastating cliffhanger, but the truth has now been revealed.
Over the last year, Casualty has been following Ngozi’s struggle with alcoholism. When recovering addict Dylan discovered her plight, he vowed to help her by becoming her sponsor.
When Ngozi finally told her partner Nicole that she was an alcoholic, Nicole brutally ended their relationship and told Ngozi and her son Obi to move out.
Ngozi then relapsed but eventually managed to get back on track and reluctantly decided to move back to Nigeria to make Obi happy. Meanwhile, Nicole, having made peace with her fractured upbringing, decided to confess her love to Ngozi before she left.
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Nicole arrived at the airport but discovered that Ngozi had started drinking heavily at the airport and collapsed. She was rushed to the hospital but was unable to be revived, and her fate was left up in the air.
As the new boxset kicked off, there was little mention of Ngozi, with viewers no closer to finding out what had happened to the much-loved character.
But when Nicole spotted newbie Kim using the locker that used to be Ngozi’s, talk turned to her girlfriend. Nicole remarked that Ngozi wasn’t here anymore, and Kim assumed that she had died.
Later, Kim observed Nicole telling a patient that she always had a choice when it came to dangerous coping mechanisms, and that not choosing could be deadly.
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At the end of the shift, Kim took the opportunity to apologise to Nicole and praised her for carrying on after Ngozi’s death. Nicole was shocked to hear this and, in a delightful twist, she quickly clarified that Ngozi hadn’t died.
Ngozi then video-called Nicole, where it was revealed that she was currently in rehab to get help following her latest relapse.
As this cliffhanger is resolved, you will have to wait to find out what happens next for Ngozi and Nicole. But the ED itself could be about to face a huge crisis, as new doctor Matty phoned the CQC (Care Quality Commission) after his first day to complain about the failings in Holby…
Casualty airs on Saturday nights on BBC One and now streams first on BBC iPlayer, where episodes are released at 6am on the day of transmission.
Read more Casualty spoilers on our dedicated homepage
Alcohol Change UK offers information, advice and support with their questions about drinking and the problems that can sometimes be caused by alcohol. For more information, visit Alcohol Change UK’s website.
Drinkline also offers free, confidential advice to anyone who is concerned about their own or someone else’s drinking on 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm).
Readers can also contact Drinkaware.