Chris Warner
Affectionately referred to by fans and the media as "Dr. Love", Chris made his first appearance in the show's first episode by having an affair with his aerobics instructor. This was an infamous and controversial scene. Portrayed as spoiled and from a wealthy family that inherited the hospital that was founded by his father, the character of Chris was characterised by his patronising and illicit manner; contrasted in a 1994 storyline where he became addicted to morphine. Known primarily for romance storyliness, Chris has been married five times and participated in over 20 romances as well as fathering six children. Chris was the first member of the Warner family to join the show and he was joined by half brother Guy Warner (Craig Parker). In later years, Chris became the patriarch of a family unit made up of his sons Harry (Reid Walker) and Phoenix (Geordie Holibar). Chris has been involved in several high profile and highly rated storylines; including a 1994 car crash, nearly getting murdered by his brother in law Dominic Thompson (Shane Cortese), losing his wife to his drug-addicted brother Guy, and ending up in jail after being framed for murder.
List of Shortland Street characters (2006)
Dr. Callum McKay first appeared in October 2006 and it was said he was to: "give the hospital a good shake up." In 2012 the character was axed, something which Peter Mochrie did not mind as he felt he was "coasting" throughout his final year and was missing his onscreen family. Despite hitting it off with Libby Jeffries (Fleur Saville), Callum was revealed as the husband of Justine Jones (Laurie Foell). The couple briefly separated when Callum discovered Justine (Lucy Wigmore) had an affair with Chris Warner (Michael Galvin). In 2008 Callum had an affair with Martha Riley (Jacque Drew) though he and Justine remained together. Callum became CEO of the hospital despite his dodgey business dealings with Ethan Pierce (Owen Black). His marriage to Justine fell apart when she faked her death and he had a short lived affair with Brooke Freeman (Beth Allen). He went on to date Rachel McKenna (Angela Bloomfield) for several months before he lost his job after being manipulated by Shane Tucker (Jason Hood). In mid 2011 he scandalously began an affair with son Hunter's (Lee Donoghue) ex-girlfriend Jill (Natalie Medlock) before he got his job back. Callum was devastated when Hunter's drug addiction was revealed and Jill died as a result of a botched pharmacy break-in. In 2012 Callum resigned as CEO and took up a role heading the new drug rehabilitation programme so as to help Hunter. Following Hunters departure, Callum left in May left to reconnect with his children.