Chris Walker has graced TV screens across the nation for decades appearing in some of Britain’s most popular TV shows.
Best known for his role as police officer Rob Hollins in BBC medical drama Doctors, fans may also recognise the the 58-year-old Yorkshire native from numerous rival soap roles and a very famous celebrity cooking show.
From his private ambition to pursue a secret career, his pride watching his famous daughter carve out fame in the music industry and his shocking experience sleeping rough on the streets, let’s take a look at the happily married father-of-two’s life off-screen and away from the cameras…
Rival soap roles
(Image: TV Grab)
The British Soap Award winner may be best known for his role as Rob Hollins in BBC medical drama Doctors, but the Yorkshire-born star has appeared a series of rival soap throughout his career.
After his breakthrough role as Nick Shaw on ITV police drama The Bill, actor Chris made his soap debut in ITV soap Coronation Street in 1997 when he took on the recurring role as decorator Ray Thorpe.
(Image: TV Grab)
Chris returned to the cobbles in 2005 playing reformed killer Ed Jackson, who was one of two robbers who staged a robbery on Mike Baldwin’s factory. His character dated Eileen Grimshaw for a short time but left the soap after dramatically confessing to the murder of Emily’s Bishop’s husband, Ernest.
Chris then went on to appear in two episodes of BBC medical drama Casualty and one episode of Holby City.
Famous daughter
(Image: WireImage)
The married father-of-two has talent running in the family as his daughter Anastasia carves out her own claim to fame in the music industry.
Anastasia’s three-piece powerhouse band Bang Bang Romeo were called up by pop star P!nk to support the pop Goddess herself on her Beautiful Trauma tour in 2019.
The musician told Attitude Magazine at the time: “It’s one of those phone calls that you wait for and work so hard for, so I was in shock.
(Image: WireImage)
“We didn’t know that P!nk’s agent had seen us at a show or that P!nk had chosen us. The lads were obviously incredibly excited, and I’ve looked up to Pink as an artist for so long, so to actually get the opportunity to support her was incredible.”
Speaking about representing the LGBTQ+ community and promoting body confidence, the star added: “Women and young girls have messaged me about body positivity and asking how to come out to their families. Also, lots of girls saying ‘I’ve had depression over my size, but seeing you has made me want to put a middle finger up to the haters and enjoy being me.’
“It’s just incredible to watch our followers grow and see people connect so strongly with our music.”
Sleeping rough
The star showcased his selfless side in 2020 when he joined some pals and his singing star daughter Anastasia to sleep rough in a car park to raise money for Doncaster’s homeless.
The soap star spent a night on the asphalt in the middle of cold December to raise awareness of charities which help rough sleepers in the borough.
The group raised almost £3,000 for Real Help Doncaster, who fund projects like helping homeless people access training, furnishings, travel costs or setting up a home.
(Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
They team also conducted an informative session in the town centre speaking to charity workers.
Anastasia said: “The ground was wet, but we were lucky in that it didn’t rain – it was just very cold. We got back to the car park at about 1am. We couldn’t share body heat because of social distancing for the coronavirus.
“It was quite emotional in the morning – it felt like, wow, that was one night. There are people who do that every night. I went home to a warm house and it felt unjust.”
Secret career
(Image: BBC)
When he’s not wearing his police badge as officer Rob Hollins on TV screens across the nation, Chris has a secret passion for food and is secretly pursuing a career as an amateur chef.
Chris launched his bid for kitchen glory in 2010 when he appeared on Celebrity Masterchef alongside a slew of stars including Olympic champion Tessa Sanderson, TV presenter Jenny Powell, and former Miss Great Britain Daniel Lloyd.
He placed in the final five of the show before participating as a chef during the Doncaster Wool Market Show as part of the 2019 Doncaster Food Festival.
Chris has also hosted a series of gourmet dinners including nine course meals at locations such as The Regent Hotel.
Speaking at the Birmingham Film and Locations Tour back in 2015, Chris said: “Cooking is my passion, or one of them.
“I used to do gourmet night’s at my friend’s hotel, you know nine courses of tasting food, every cuisine there is, so I can do it, I really can do it and I’m doing one soon.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
