When did Alan Dale play Jim Robinson in Neighbours, who were the founding cast members and is he returning to the soap?
ALAN Dale rose to fame playing one of the original characters Jim Robinson, on Neighbours.
Although his character died of a heart attack, in September 2018 he revealed he has been back shooting again. Let's get the lowdown...
Who is Alan Dale and when was he on Neighbours?
Born May 6, 1947, Alan Hugh Dale is a New Zealand actor, most known for his time playing Jim Robinson on Neighbours.
The 70-year-old moved to Australia to find work and starred in The Young Doctors for three years before appearing in Neighbours.
Alan played Jim Robinson from 1985 until 1993 and was one of the twelve original characters on the soap.
Since his departure, he revitalised his career in America, starring in NCIS, Lost and Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Why did Alan Dale leave Neighbours and is he returning?
Alan departed the show in 1993 after falling out with producers over his salary and Jim was killed off after suffering a heart attack.
"It was sweet and the people I worked with were sweet, most of them," of his time on Neighbours.
"But the producers were greedy and nasty. There are many examples of the things these people did and, as far as I know, are still doing.
However, on April 27, 2018, Alan paid a visit to the set to take a selfie with his former on-screen son, sparking rumours of a miraculous comeback.
In September 2018 he teased fans again as he shared a snap of a welcome message which read: "G'day Mr Dale", as he returned to the show's set after twenty-five years.
Teasing at an upcoming return, he added the caption: "The greeting I received at the studio in Atlanta, where I am shooting some stuff for Neighbours. Look out for it guys!!! #Neighbours #Dynasty"
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Who were the other founding cast members of Neighbours?
Jim Robinson was one of the twelve original characters conceived by creator Reg Watson.
Neighbours originally began with three families - the Ramsays, Robinsons and the Clarkes before the show was revamped a year later and younger stars including Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan were introduced.
The original cast members are:
- Francis Bell played plumber Max Ramsay, the patriarch of the family.
- Dasha Bláhová played his wife, Maria Ramsay
- David Clencie played their son, Danny Ramsay
- Peter O'Brien played their other son, Olympic swimming hopeful, Shane Ramsay
- Both actresses Vikki Blanche and Julie Mullins had portrayals of Julie Robinson, who died after falling to her death.
- Stefan Dennis starred as the eldest Robinson child, Paul in two stints, originally in 1985 before returning full-time in 2004. Paul is the longest-serving original character.
- Scott Robinson: Although later made famous by Jason Donovan, the role was originally portrayed by Darius Perkins in the show's first episode.
- Anne Haddy played Jim's mother-in-law, Helen Daniels, who went on to become the show's second longest-serving original character, exiting the soap due to ill-health.
- Melissa Bell was the third actress to play Lucy Robinson and transitioned the character into a full-time regular.
- Paul Keane played bank manager Des Clarke for five years before departing in 1990. Paul reprised the role for the soap's 30th anniversary celebrations in 2015.
- Elaine Smith was introduced to Neighbours as stripper Daphne Lawrence and her marriage to Des became central to her storylines. She also became the first regular character to die in 1988.