During series 1 he was in a relationship with schoolmate Karen Jackson (Rebecca Atkinson), who dumps him for his own father Frank Gallagher (David Threlfall), causing him to batter Frank in the middle of the street in a rage. He is ballsy, charismatic and never afraid to stand up to anyone, including the feared Maguire family. Lip dates a string of girls throughout the show, even partaking in a sexual affair with Lena Marshall (Brana Bajic), a woman considerably older than he was.