Karen Hollins

First Appearance: 23rd February 2009 ('Mac's Women') - (10x187)

Last Appearance: Former Character

Occupation: Receptionist (2009, 2011-2023), Senior Receptionist (2009-2011), Healthcare Assistant (2011-2013)

Portrayer: Jan Pearson

Series Appearances: 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

## About

Karen is great with the patients but is a complete hypochondriac, and won't hesitate to pester the doctors for a diagnosis.

Karen is dedicated to the job, though her family will always come first, so any kind of emergency at home and she's straight out the door!

Her responsibilities have increased somewhat since taking on the position of health care assistant, but whilst appearing confident, Karen doesn't have the utmost faith in her abilities and will always pass the buck if unsure.

The discovery of her pregnancy sent a rift through the family. Rob's uncompromising stance pushed Karen away and although Karen did choose to terminate the pregnancy, relations between her and Rob were strained for some time.

Her two children, Jack and Imogen have now moved on to further education and she misses them terribly.

## Storylines

Karen tried to call her colleague, Cherry Clay (Sophie Abelson) to tell her information about her boyfriend, Scott Nielson (Sam Heughan). However, he had died, with Cherry at his apartment. The situation escalated into a fight in Reception. Karen was suspended by Dr. Heston Carter but returned the following week. The next day, after Jack told her that he saw Zara 'shooting up'. Karen went round to Zara's house and after an argument found out Zara was injecting herself with testosterone to combat her early onset menopause.

However, as he covered his tracks very easily, he was able to conceal what was happening, leading each of the characters to believe they were imagining the situation. When Ellie confided in Sia that Lewis had attempted to attack her in the Hollins' kitchen with a carving knife, she informed Karen's colleague, Dr. Simon Bond (David Sturzaker), and later went round to the Hollins' house to inform Lewis that she would be telling the police about his actions. However, Lewis denied his attack, and as there was no evidence and Ellie would not talk to the police, nothing could be done. However, she did not act on this. Meanwhile, Rob Hollins informed his son that the police would be keeping an eye on Lewis, as his name had been mentioned too many times for them to be comfortable. The storyline culminated when Imogen then realised that her art project, containing photos of each of the victims of gun crime in the last year was tampered with, with the addition of photos of Jack, Sia and Ellie. She told her mum, who came home and then attempted to contact Jack and her husband.

After Karen had stayed with her father for a while, she came back and told Rob she wanted to have another go at their marriage. After Rob saved her from a burning building, Rob came over for a romantic meal, which was constantly disrupted, however, Rob and Karen slept in the same bed that night. Even though Karen's friend Angie Briggs (Den Woods) tried to get her to see other men, Karen refused and stuck by Rob. Rob accidentally hit Karen with his car, causing her to suffer amnesia. She thereafter cannot remember anything after and believes she is 18, and acts accordingly. She leaves her husband and does not recognise her children.