KAREN is a hearing woman in her early 30s. She married Tom - who is deaf - but separated from him after she discovered that he had been unfaithful. Their relationship also suffered because of a bitter conflict over a cochlear implant for their son, Jason. Recently Karen has faced a cancer scare and has looked to Fran to help and support her.

Played by...

LIZ BANKS has appeared in several high profile television dramas such as London's Burning, Holby City, I Still Believe and Heartbeat. She has also featured in three feature films - CABS, Food of Love and Strictly Confidential. She is currently developing a six-part comedy drama with Canadian playwright Robert William Sherwood called Board Wars, and in the early part of this year was seen as a pushy journalist in the ITV drama Bad Girls. More recently she has appeared with Ray Winstone, playing Suzanne in Vincent 2; and with Robson Green in City Lights (both ITV).

Ten things you always wanted to know about ...
Liz Banks

1  Describe yourself in five words.
Fun, loving, introverted, optimistic, a realist. (I'm a Gemini ... so full of contradictions!)

2  If you could change one thing about yourself - what would it be?
My bottom. I want one like those you see in magazines and in TV ads!

3  What's your big ambition for the future?
To become a sign language interpreter.

4  Who is your ideal woman?
Katherine Hepburn - talented, beautiful, independent and intelligent.

5  Are you anything like the character you play in Switch?
I will fight for what I believe in but, thankfully, I don't cry as much as Karen does!

6  Is there any acting role you'd really love to play?
A well-written psycho-Queen. I'd love to play manipulative and evil and slightly unhinged. Be great fun!

7  What's your favourite TV programme?
Will and Grace. I adore the antics of the Jack and Karen characters! It's one of the few shows that I will video if I'm out!

8  Which one item would you take with you to a desert island?
I'm a practical girl, so an unlimited supply of bottled water would be useful. However, I'd quite like to take my spaniel, Harvey. We could use the time to catch up on all the puppy classes I never took him to! He still struggles with the concept of 'drop'!

9  Who do you most admire and why?
The donkey in Shrek. He is a loyal friend with a great sense of humour!

10  Where in the world would you most like to live?
Right where I am!

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