EAGLE-eyed Casualty fans who have spotted that hospital porter Oscar has been missing from their screens will have to wait until at least April before he returns.

Paul Anderson, right, who is believed to be Britain's longest-serving television extra, has spent 26 years on the BBC production and appeared in more than 750 episodes.

Mr Anderson, of Brislington found himself fighting for his life for real last month after contracting pneumonia.

He was rushed to hospital on New Year's Day – his birthday – with agonising pain in his left knee.

Mr Anderson had to crawl to the door to let paramedics in and it was only on his arrival at the BRI that medics realised the seriousness of the situation and his brother David, 51, and sister Elaine, 45, were told the next 24 hours were "critical".

The 53-year-old's body started to shut down and he had problems breathing as the pneumonia took hold.

Thankfully Mr Anderson pulled through in the following 24 hours and after regaining his strength underwent an operation to examine the knee and clear fluid from his lungs.

He remains in hospital and has progressed slowly from being bed-ridden, to using a Zimmer frame and in the last few days has taken to crutches.

"I'm definitely feeling a lot better now," Mr Anderson told the Evening Post.

"I was in a very bad way and my family was very worried. I was pretty close to the end so I feel very lucky now.

"It's just really my leg now. My knee is still infected and swollen but it's much less painful and I'm getting out of bed and sleeping better.

"Now I'm just learning to walk on crutches. I have to say being on my feet is a great feeling.

"The doctors seem to be very happy with my progress but I just want to get back to work now.

"I am aiming for April but it's just a question of how long it takes for my knee to get better.

"They all know I am desperate to get back to work. It will be strange though as I will leave a hospital after weeks of recovery to go back to a hospital set."

Mr Anderson played a junior doctor in the first episode of Casualty, a role he played for around two years.

Then he was cast as hospital porter Oscar, and can still be seen in most episodes pushing his trolley back and forth.

He began working as an extra for television commercials, then landed extra roles on many of Britain's most famous television shows, including The Bill, EastEnders, London's Burning and The Benny Hill Show.