Jack Holden (Home and Away)

Fictional character from Home and Away

Jack Anthony Holden is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Paul O'Brien. He made his first on screen appearance on 5 August 2005. Jack was a police officer. The Holden family — Jack, his father Tony and his brother Lucas arrived in Summer Bay in 2005. In November 2008, the season finale, Jack was accidentally shot in the chest at a construction site by fellow police officer, Angelo Rosetta. In the first episode of the 2009 season, it was revealed that Jack had died after paramedics failed to revive him at the scene. Paul O'Brien decided to leave the series in 2008 and Jack made his last appearance in the second episode into 2009.

Most of Jack's storylines were central to his on off relationship with Martha MacKenzie (Jodi Gordon). Viewers saw the couple go through marriage, divorce, a second marriage and Martha being widowed. Martha and Jack's first marriage is cut short because they argue to much, Martha leaves Jack. They start to lead separate lives, but Jack is there for Martha after she has an abortion, Martha who is feeling low at this point kisses him, Jack's girlfriend Sam Tolhurst (Jessica Chapnik) sees this. Whilst the characters were separated on screen, they had gained a fan base on the Internet that believed Jack should be with Martha and wanted the pair to reunite. Gordon has spoken of her understanding from the audiences point of view, that together Jack and Martha are "the ultimate couple". On screen Jack and Martha later reconcile, he helps her through her hard times. Gordon believed that their relationship was at its strongest peak whilst she had breast cancer. During an interview with What's on TV Gordon spoke of the state of their relationship stating: "Martha and Jack have been through more than most and right now their relationship is as solid as it could be. But she's taking a big chance not being honest about her pregnancy." The 2007 and 2008 ceremonies saw O'Brien nominated for "Most Popular Actor". O'Brien was nominated for "Best Newcomer" and "Best Couple" along with co star Jodi Gordon. At the 2007 Inside Soap Awards, O'Brien and Gordon were nominated for "Best Storyline" for Jack and Martha's wedding day. The following year, O'Brien was nominated for "Best Actor", "Sexiest Male" and "Best Couple" with Gordon. At the first Digital Spy Soap Awards, O'Brien was nominated for "Best On Screen Partnership" with Gordon.