Fans of Walford single mum Karen Taylor would be the first to admit she deserves to be wined and dined by a decent love interest.
The mouthy but lovable EastEnders matriarch has had a string of unsuccessful relationships – including one so abusive, her ex is in jail (for now) for his crimes against her.
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So it’s perhaps no surprise that Karen is about to embark on something a little different – dating a woman.
In scenes to air next week, Karen will shock her family when she announces she has a new love interest.
The character, played by Lorraine Stanley, announces that she has important news to share…
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According to The Sun, Karen tells her family she is going on a date with a woman who she met at the Pride celebrations.
And, wait for it, she’s called Caren! Now THAT could get confusing!
We discover that while Karen was celebrating daughter Bernie’s first Pride as an openly gay woman, she dabbled in some same sex flirtations herself!
And the two women will cross paths again, when they bump into each other at The Prince Albert.
After a chat fizzing with chemistry, Caren asks Karen out on a date and she accepts!
Well why not?
Reacting to the story on Digital Spy Forum, one Easties fan wrote: “It’s not that unrealistic for someone to realise they’re bisexual later in life.
“That said, all we know so far is that this woman expresses interest in Karen, not that it’s reciprocated. I could see her going on a date out of curiosity but I’d be surprised if it goes any further than that.”
They continued: “I suspect this is more about Bernie – like, maybe seeing her mum go on a date with a woman prompts Bernie to get out there, or maybe this woman gives Karen some insight into Bernie.”
Another suggested it would be “a poor comedy storyline forgotten about a week later”, while another added: “I could see it happening because Karen strikes me as the sort of person who would fall for people based on their personalities, rather than gender.”
Caren, who makes her first appearance tomorrow (Thursday 18 July) will be played by actress Amy Robbins.
TV fans will recognise her for her role as Dr Jill Weatherill on The Royal between 2003 and 2011.
She’s also appeared in Casualty and Doctors, and portrayed Lynette Drinkwell on Hollyoaks in 2017.
Amy also happens to be Emily Atack’s aunt!
Would you like to see Karen Taylor find love? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!