encourages Lofty to be "firm" with the board, but when Lofty meets Diane's mother, he questions whether he is to blame. Mead explained that Lofty struggles to cope with Diane's death because he "saw so much of himself in her". The board allow Lofty to continue working, but he decides to resign regardless due to his feelings surrounding Diane's death. Lofty explains that he is struggling with Diane's death. Mead explained that Diane's death is "a huge thing" for Lofty because it happened on his first shift as nursing lead. Mead also explained that Lofty needs "distance and time" to understand the events surrounding Diane's death and to decide whether he can return to the hospital and "confront those demons within himself". Reflecting on his character's reasons for leaving, Mead said that Lofty is "quite ashamed and embarrassed to face his colleagues". He told Tricia Martin of Total TV Guide that Lofty is scarred by the events and compared it to a marriage breakdown, commenting that "it's always there, but you have move forward — life goes on." He observed that Diane's death leaves the character "traumatised". Lofty decides to take a break from his job and travel Australia and New Zealand while retraining as a bereavement counsellor. Mead explained that Lofty feels disappointed in himself and decides that he needs to move "as far away as possible". When the actor watched the episode, he became emotional and felt proud of the storyline, hoping viewers would sympathise with Lofty. Off-screen, Mead took a one-year hiatus from the show in order to spend more time with his daughter and explore new roles. Mead chose to leave the show because he got "itchy feet" and wanted to return to theatre. Producers tried to persuade Mead to remain with the show and offered to extend his contract by a further two years, but he wanted to spend more time with his daughter as she grew older. Describing his experience on Casualty, Mead said it had been "amazing". Mead reassured fans of the show that he could reprise the role since Lofty still had a job at the hospital. He promised that he would return to the drama. Despite this, Mead told Elaine Reilly of What's on TV that his return had not been confirmed and there was a possibility he may not reprise the role. Mead's official website described his break as "a