FANS of Doctors were left shocked when BBC bosses killed off one of the show's most popular characters in an unexpected ending.
It was the end of an era when Karen Hollins died on the popular BBC One soap.
What happened to Karen on Doctors?
Surgery receptionist Karen Hollins - played by actress Jan Pearson - was a Doctors fan favourite for 14 years.
She was affectionately bestowed with the nickname "Gobby" thanks to her love of chit chat.
However, fans were left shocked when she was killed off in March 2023.
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Karen was ready to leave Leatherbridge behind for good and embark on an epic adventure with husband Rob (Chris Walker).
Selling their home for £10,000 more than they asked for it allowed the pair to book a cruise and enjoy some down time with one another.
Sadly, it was not meant to be as a shock twist exposed that Karen had tragically died just before the trip was about to commence.
The dream quickly became a nightmare when Rob returned home to find his wife unconscious on the sofa.
Paramedics rushed to the home but couldn't revive Karen, and she was declared dead, leaving devastated Rob to inform their children and Karen's colleagues.
Rob went into denial when he discovered her lifeless body, but he was later forced to accept the heartbreaking news that she had passed away.
The scenes left fans of the soap in tears as they took to Twitter to remark on the episode.
One viewer wrote: "Oh dear, that was so heartbreaking, feel devastated. Never thought it would have me sobbing."
Another said: "BBC Doctors know how to tug at the heart strings don’t they that episode was so sad."
A third posted: "Brilliant acting and beautifully handled. Well done. RIP Karen 'Gobby' Hollins."
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Why did Karen leave Doctors?
In June 2023 - three months after Karen's death had aired - actress Jan was asked about her exit from Doctors.
Speaking to the press at the 2023 British Soap Awards, she explained that she wanted a break from her career after 14 consecutive years on the series.
Jan admitted that she asked producers to "kill Karen off", to which they were surprisingly obliging.
She was pleased with her exit scenes and stated: "They gave me a lovely death, actually — I was very pleased with it.
"Chris was extraordinary. It was great. I was very, very pleased."