Emmerdale’s Karen Blick reveals she would tell people she was a teacher before landing role in soap: ‘Acting is a precarious business’

Karen Blick has revealed she used to tell people she was a teacher rather than an actor until she landed her role as Lydia Dingle on Emmerdale.

The actress, 48, joined the soap in 2016 and has most recently become involved in a harrowing rape storyline as her character was assaulted by her childhood friend.

But the road to a successful acting career wasn’t without its challenges for Karen who only appeared on TV twice during the first 30 years of her career.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Karen told how she would tell people she was a teacher when they asked what she did because she didn’t want to be seen as ‘deluded’.

She said: ‘Acting is such a precarious business. In 2007 I trained as a teacher. I did supply work teaching drama in secondary schools, then got a job at my old sixth form college in Halifax.

Candid: Karen told how she would tell people she was a teacher when they asked what she did because she didn’t want to be seen as ‘deluded’

‘If I was out and got chatting to someone and they said: “Oh, what do you do Karen?” I’d got to the point where I’d say: “I’m a teacher.”‘

After working for years in local theatre, Karen auditoned to play a police officer on Emmerdale and was ‘absoutely gutted’ when she didn’t get the part.

Missing out on the part, which she tried out for in 2015, even led Karen to consider quitting acting. 

She said: ‘I thought, I’m getting older, I’ve got a family and maybe I’m just deluding myself here. I’ve got to be sensible.’

However, her agent spoke to the producers and found out they were actually considering her for the much bigger part of Lydia.

For her first six months in the job, Karen kept up her teaching post as she couldn’t believe her luck.

She was given a contract with Emmerdale in 2016 and has remained with the show ever since. 

Karen is currently involved in a rape storyline which saw her character attacked by Craig Reed (played by Ben Addis).

Role: After working for years in local theatre, Karen auditoned to play a police officer on Emmerdale and was ‘absoutely gutted’ when she didn’t get the part

Success: However, her agent spoke to the producers and found out they were actually considering her for the much bigger part of Lydia

Shocking: Karen is currently involved in a rape storyline which saw her character attacked by Craig Reed (played by Ben Addis)

Lydia, who suffered a baby loss with Craig when they were teenagers, was shocked to see him return to the village originally but then soon bonded over their past. 

But during Tuesday’s episode, Craig turned nasty and forced himself onto Lydia, raping her in harrowing scenes.

The actress told how she used crystal therapy in order to not become overwhelmed when filming the harrowing scenes. 

The alternative medicine practice, which is considered pseudoscientific, sees people use semi-precious stones in the belief they have healing powers.

Karen was initially hesitant about the assault storyline and even teared up when she learned about it.

However, she has no regrets about pursuing acting career and said she is glad she went with her gut. 

Anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse can contact Victim Support on 0808 168 9111 or www.victimsupport.org.uk.

Emmerdale airs weekdays at 7:30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.