THE LIFE AND TIMES OF AN EMMERDALE FAVE…
The early years
Karen admits she was a “jobbing actress” for many years, with roles in theatre, panto and TV series including medical drama No Angels. Her first visit to Emmerdale came in 2006, as a nurse at a clinic where Viv Hope was considering a termination.
Karen Blick
BORN 25 October 1974
IN West Yorkshire
Dales arrival!
Karen was delighted when she won the role of Lydia in Emmerdale, as at the time she’d been considering moving into a career in teaching. “I was with my mum when I found out and we both jumped up and down in the street!” she says.
Soap Secret
When filming the storyline where Lydia was raped by her old friend Craig, Karen used crystal therapy to help cope with the pressure. “It was a useful ritual to absorb some of the negative energy,” she said.
Simon says…
Karen and her husband, Simon – who runs a training company – met when they were both working at a kids’ outdoor pursuit centre in 1996. She credits him with helping her keep the faith with acting. “He’d say, ‘Give it another year, stick at it!’” she says.
Little ones
Simon and Karen have two kids, Ruby, 14, and Oliver, nine. Karen is the only actor in the family, but there’s no shortage of talent. “My daughter is a fantastic pianist,” Karen says. “My son enjoys the guitar, and my husband is a great singer. I can’t do any of that – I’m letting them down!”
Karen on…
“James is renowned for his sense of humour, so the best thing is that we have such a laugh together. We love the scenes where Lydia and Sam are looking after each other, but we also love it when we’re having a good old Dingle ding-dong!”
