Chris Walker

Christopher Walker (born 1964) is an English actor, known for his roles as Larry 'Tiger' Barton in the BBC drama Merseybeat and Rob Hollins in the BBC soap opera Doctors. For his portrayal of Rob, Walker has been nominated for various awards, and in 2010 and 2023, he won the award for Best On-Screen Partnership at the British Soap Awards, alongside Jan Pearson who played his on-screen wife, Karen Hollins. Walker has also appeared in various stage productions, notably ones written by his former teacher, John Godber.

Walker attended Minsthorpe High School, where he was taught by John Godber. He has a wife, Sharron, a son, Gabriel, and a daughter, Anastasia, who was a member of the rock band Bang Bang Romeo. Since competing in Celebrity MasterChef, Walker became an amateur chef, and participated as a chef during the Doncaster Wool Market Show as part of the 2019 Doncaster Food Festival. In addition, he has put on gourmet nights, including nine course meals at locations such as Regent Hotel. In late 2024, Walker and his son took on a residency chef gig at a local pub.

Walker's television debut was in the ITV crime drama The Bill, in the role of Nick Shaw, a role he played from 1985 to 1987. He later returned to the series in 2007, in a different role. In the early 1990s, he appeared in a stage production of Bouncers at the Hull Truck Theatre. It was directed by his former teacher John Godber. The production was later ordered for a run on West End theatre. He returned to the Hull Truck Theatre for various other productions, including Up 'N Under. In 1997, he appeared in the ITV soap opera Coronation Street from March to May playing Ray Thorpe, a decorator. A year later, Walker began appearing in the BBC drama series Playing the Field as main character Matthew Mullen.[ 11] Then in 2001, he joined the cast of the BBC procedural drama Merseybeat as PC Larry 'Tiger' Barton, a role he portrayed until 2004.[ 12] In December 2005, he returned to Coronation Street, playing reformed killer Ed Jackson until March 2006.[ 13]

In 2009, Walker began portraying the role of Rob Hollins in the BBC soap opera Doctors.[ 14] In 2010, he won the award for Best On-Screen Partnership at the British Soap Awards alongside Jan Pearson, who portrayed his on-screen wife, Karen Hollins.[ 15] Also in 2010, he participated as a contestant in Celebrity Masterchef, where he placed in the final five.[ 16] He portrayed Rob in Doctors until its final episode in November 2024, after being cancelled by the BBC. During his time with the series, he also directed 12 episodes.[ 17] In 2025, he returned to theatre and is set to appear in a UK touring production of The Signal-Man.[ 18]