Sunday Mirror from London, London, England • 19

series He said last night: "I suggested to the producers that Ash should fall in love and I wanted them to make it a good relationship. The row is the latest in a series of behind-thescenes battles fought by Patrick in the six years he has been on the show. He said: "I often have to say to the script writers that Ash would not say this or not say that. "I've had to fight for my corner as the only minority on the creative side. At times, it has been very difficult.

"They wanted Ash to be in the casualty department. I argued that it would never happen. "He has grown up with the whole racist thing, he's learnt to deal with it every day. He would not rise to the bait. And the other thing is that he's good at his job, he's professional and would not fight anyone.

"He could be pushed and shoved about, but he would not fight because he can take more than that I know because I can "Too often there are relationships dominated by rows and arguments, and in reality people do have good relationships. "I suggested that he should meet her through work as she was incorporated into the hospital. And I wanted her to be black. When they said, "I've tried to do it quietly and not scream and shout. But it has been MIXED EMOTIONS: Liz Mclnnery is Patrick's TV lover Picture: PAUL BROOKS take more than that.

In Patrick claims "subtle last episodes of Casualty the end, the scenes were racism" exists across the in the New Year and has shot just outside the hos- board in the acting world. been offered a part in a pital. I suppose that was the compromise." "We all know what it is new detective series. but until the powers- "It is not the lead," he In the new series, that-be are prepared to admits. "But there are no Patrick has also had rows take what they consider major TV series with a over Ash's father appear- to be a risk business-wise, black lead." ing in one episode.

it will not get any better. Patrick is sad to be He said: "The storyline "But I don't think it leaving the show, but was something I had would be detrimental excited that he will be asked for. the TV companies if they doing new work. "But there had to be 15 had more black people on rewrites, with me saying, screen. It would mirror "When I told the pro'He wouldn't say that', or real life." ducer, she understood," wouldn't do that'." Patrick will film his he said.

SUNDAY MIRROR, December 10, 1995 PAGE 19 Ferret fans bite back at banking ban EXCLUSIVE by ALAN RIMMER THE caring Co-op Bank shot itself in the foot last night after snubbing a ferreters' group. The Co-op, which boasts of its anti-blood sports policies, refused the Bedford Ferret Welfare Society an account, claiming ferreting was cruel to rabbits. But the "bank with a conscience" as its ads claim admitted it hired out land so that hunters could blast birds and other animals. A spokesman for IF quitting because I can have lack over star 1 .7,, i 4 4tArt 7 Hc ...:1 r. 4 I s'''''' Patrick in race 4ii i :.4 1 i 1.4„..,,.....

e. 14 ii; i0 HH: row over white 4 7 1 irlfriend NURSING GRIEVANCE: Patrick as Ash 1 .1 1 ACTOR Patrick hard work and there EXCLUSIVE have been rows." Robinson is quitting In the previous series, i i 4 egigh 'q solltilin TV's top hospital By CAROLINE SUTTON Ash was taken to colirt A RT sl l6l ii after apparently lr a id i a sa a ci st Ili. ik. drama after bosses refused to let him A a sh 'Why not? ou a tri a with a white woman happy with the storyline. iii have a black lover.

so why could it not be It line iin thought was he said. 5,.,...,,..... the racism. (4 7 Patrick is furious black womanthis time. show that Ash is It made me think, The 49 that his Casualty capablewo of a lli ng in love i character.

Chargeonly thing you are seeing with anyone'." is that I am black even Nurse Ash, has been seen falling in love Patrick added "There though my chractr forl are not enough roles for been established i4I2 with hospital PR black actresses, anyway. years'. Laura, layed by On You rarely see "There was a lot of. good 4.6., a ct ress Lizzie two black actors even stuff other Mclnnery. talking to each going to (4 4 other.

We characters who had just The 31-year-old star, very hurt." do exist and we do talk to come in. I was whose real-life wife. Janis, each other." There were also a is white. is the only black ViCtini ments over the location of 1 actor in the long-running the attack. 'L SNUB: Ferret animal welfare group the British Field Sports Society said: "It's blatant hypocrisy when they are already profiting from a sport that kills and maims thousands of creatures." A bank spokeswoman said: "Shooting involves mainly game birds and the killing is usually done quickly by people." When told that ferrets only flushed out the rabbits which were then killed cleanly by hunters, she added: "Really? To be honest, I'm not sure what ferrets do." Family party in bus terror A FAMILY'S Christmas get-together ended with 17 of them in hospital after the coach taking them home left a country road and somersaulted down a 30ft embankment.

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