Samuel Noel "Sam" Strachan is a fictional character in the BBC medical drama Holby City, portrayed by actor Tom Chambers.

Sam's initial function in the show was that of hospital Lothario[3] – romancing and fathering a child with his boss, Connie Beauchamp (Amanda Mealing),[1] as well as engaging in relationships with Ward Sisters Chrissie Williams (Tina Hobley) and Faye Morton (Patsy Kensit), SHO Maddy Young (Nadine Lewington), and Staff Nurse Zoe Foxe (Alicia Davies).

However, the series 8 plot strand which saw Connie strive to turn Holby City Hospital into a Cardiothoracic Centre of Excellence required a similar expansion of ward staff, and so three new Cardiothoracic surgical characters were created — Consultant Elliot Hope (Paul Bradley), and Registrars Sam Strachan and Joseph Byrne (Luke Roberts).

[10] Chambers has revealed that he sent a video of himself performing a Fred Astaire tap dance routine to over 800 stage and television directors and producers in the UK, explaining: "Julie Harkin in casting at Holby saw it and gave me a call because they thought it was unusual.

"[11] Upon assuming the role of Sam, Chambers revealed that he had once been an avid viewer of Holby City's sister show, Casualty, recalling watching it as far back as 1991.

[11] Prior to beginning work on the show, Chambers underwent observational training at the NHS Heart Hospital in London, watching three open-heart operations.

"[11] Chambers has spoken highly of his relationship with his co-stars, explaining that: "Luke and I joined at the same time so we've always had a kinship and on our dressing room corridor we have Patsy, Rosie, Phoebe, Rakie and Jaye so there's always some banter going on, it's like being back at school.

[...] Paul Bradley who plays Elliot is one of the funniest people to work with - when the cameras aren't rolling he's very good at turning difficult moments into humour when everyone's feeling the strain to finish the day.

"[12] During his time at Holby City hospital, Sam has romanced Connie Beauchamp, Chrissie Williams, Faye Morton, Maddy Young and Zoe Foxe.

[17] Interviewed in January 2006, Chambers foreshadowed major developments for his character when he stated: "I think Sam's ideal woman might be Connie because she's feisty, doesn't beat around the bush and is very talented, which is always sexy.

However I reckon they clash quite a lot because she manipulates with her power play and won't drop the act so it would be very much on a love hate basis.

"[12] From his relationship with Connie, Sam moved on to a love triangle storyline with Ward Sisters Faye Morton and Chrissie Williams.

[19] For some weeks thereafter, Sam engaged in casual sexual relationships with Senior house officer Maddy Young and Staff Nurse Zoe Foxe.

[21] He speculated that the experience would force Sam to grow up and appreciate life more,[21] as well as seriously consider the future of his daughter, Grace, and cease his philandering way with female staff.

[22] Chambers has also spoken extensively about the research he did before beginning the cancer storyline: Sam's illness was played out over the course of the show's tenth series, reaching its zenith when he developed sepsis and went into septic shock in episode "Long Dark Night" and put on Keller to work as a general surgical registrar to loosen the stress sometime later.

[25] A show insider revealed that "Tom’s departure will leave his fans in tears, but Holby bosses are keeping tight-lipped about whether or not Sam will be killed off.

Father and son both developed romantic feelings for nurse Maria Kendall, leading to Sam asking her to accompany them both to New York, where Kieron was a famous violinist.

[7] In an interview with Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap, Chambers revealed he would depart the serial at the conclusion of his contract in late 2017 due to a prior commitment.

It's still a mystery to this day..."[12] In October 2007, drinks' industry body the Portman Group made an official complaint to communications regulator Ofcom about a scene in Holby City episode "Trial and Retribution", which depicted characters Sam and Maddy Young each taking five shots of tequila following a stressful day at work.

[34] The body's chief executive David Poley claimed that in failing to show the negative consequences of this action, the series was presenting a "highly irresponsible portrayal of excessive and rapid drinking".