Lance Wilkinson (also Hails) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''
Neighbours
''Neighbours'' is an Australian television soap opera, which has aired since 18 March 1985. It was created by television executive Reg Watson. The Seven Network commissioned the show following the success of Watson's earlier soap '' Sons an ...
'', played by
Andrew Bibby
Andrew Bibby (born 24 October 1980 in Sydney) is an Australian former actor who played Lance Wilkinson on the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'' in 1995, 1996–2001, 2005 and in 2022. He returned again briefly in 2018.
Early and personal ...
. He made his first on-screen appearance on 9 August 1995. Bibby was cast in the recurring role of Lance after an audition. After a year, Bibby auditioned for another character called Jon and the writers chose to turn him into Lance. Lance was a bookish, paranoid boy, with a kind heart and keen wit. Lance departed on 29 March 2001, but Bibby reprised his role in July 2005 for the show's 20th anniversary, in 2018 and also for the
final episode in 2022.
Casting
''Neighbours'' was Bibby's first major long-term role.
Bibby said he went for a general audition, where there were five parts available. Bibby was given the role of Lance, a three-month occasional role.
A year later, Bibby auditioned for another character called Jon, who the writers decided to turn into Lance.
During the audition, Bibby had to share a scene with various girls to see how they looked together as twins.
Brooke Satchwell
Brooke Kerith Satchwell (born 1980) is an Australian actress, model and environmental spokesperson.
Early life
Satchwell lived in Teesdale, Victoria, for most of her life and has one sibling. She attended Toorak College.
Career
Satchwell start ...
, an actress Bibby had met before, came in and was given the role of Lance's sister,
Anne
Anne, alternatively spelled Ann, is a form of the Latin female given name Anna. This in turn is a representation of the Hebrew Hannah, which means 'favour' or 'grace'. Related names include Annie.
Anne is sometimes used as a male name in the ...
.
Bibby's first day of filming was on location outside the coffee shop set, a day later the actor had to perform a kissing scene with his co-star
Rebecca Ritters
Rebecca Ritters (born 26 January 1984) is an Australian journalist and current news anchor for Deutsche Welle. Prior to her journalism career, she was an actress.
Career
She is also known as an actress, mostly for her role as Hannah Martin ...
(
Hannah Martin
Hannah Martin is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'', played by Rebecca Ritters. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 July 1992. Hannah is the only child of Philip and Julie Martin and the younger sist ...
). Bibby said it was "a bit embarrassing!"
Development
Characterisation
Lance became the man of the family after his parents,
Ruth
Ruth (or its variants) may refer to:
Places
France
* Château de Ruthie, castle in the commune of Aussurucq in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques département of France
Switzerland
* Ruth, a hamlet in Cologny
United States
* Ruth, Alabama
* Ruth, Ar ...
(
Ailsa Piper
Ailsa Mary-Ellen Piper (born 1959) is an Australian writer, director and performer.
Career
Acting
Ailsa Piper worked as an actress in theatre in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne from the early 1980s until 2000. She made her first appearance on TV i ...
) and Bill (Ian Stanley Pearce), separated.
Lance is initially portrayed as a "bookish" character, who is also nervous and paranoid.
A writer for the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC
Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board ex ...
said Lance is kind-hearted and has a keen wit.
When he was asked how Lance has changed in the three and half years he had been on the show, Bibby said "He's changed a lot, and needless to say, has grown up a great deal. I suppose the biggest change for him was when his family left - his mum Ruth, and the inlaws, Phil and Hannah. That's when he had to move out of the nest and really grow up."
Bibby went on to explain that after Anne left, Lance was "on his own" and that moving in with
Toadfish Rebecchi
Jarrod Vincenzo Rebecchi (commonly known as "Toadfish" or "Toadie") is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Ryan Moloney. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 23 January 199 ...
(
Ryan Moloney
Ryan Moloney (born 24 November 1979) is an Australian actor, known for his portrayal of the fictional character Jarrod "Toadfish" Rebecchi in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' since 1995.
Career
Moloney's first acting experience was with ...
) and
Joel Samuels
Joel Samuels is a fictional character from the Australian television soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Daniel MacPherson. MacPherson secured the role after auditioning for casting director Jan Russ, who suggested that the script producers writ ...
(
Daniel MacPherson
Daniel Donald MacPherson (born 25 April 1980) is an Australian actor and television presenter, known for his roles as Joel Samuels in ''Neighbours'', PC Cameron Tait in ''The Bill'', Sergeant Samuel Wyatt in Sky and Cinemax's '' Strike Back'', ...
) gave him the chance to "let loose" and have some fun.
Bibby enjoyed working with Moloney and McPherson as it gave his character something different to do, other than getting involved in romantic entanglements.
Of Lance's friendship with Toadie and Joel, Bibby said "Together, we have this dynamic and kind of each other, I guess you could say. We bounce off each other and we know how each other works, yet we are constantly thrown into situations that we have to try and get ourselves out of. That's where the humour comes from."
Bibby opined that viewers liked Lance the way he is and he agreed with them, saying "I just want to see him stay the way as he was when I was cast. I want him to be individual, and not get too hooked up with the other characters or their character traits."
Bibby revealed that he had become more distant from Lance, rather than like him. The actor added that he had matured, which the writers picked up on for Lance.
Gambling
After Lance placed some bets while watching the horse racing, he soon became hooked on gambling.
The problem worsened when Lance became involved with an illegal bookie, who later gave him a fright when he came to collect his money.
Lance learned to conceal his addiction and Bibby explained "He only realises he has a problem when Amy ends their relationship. She finds out he's been lying to her and has lost much money. What started out as a bit of fun has become very dangerous."
Lance's gambling problem continued to get out of hand and after using up his money to bet on the horses, he eventually decided to steal from his mother to make another bet.
Bibby commented that Lance could not stop himself.
Lance decided to make one last bet to wipe out his debts and he took his mother's
fob watch
A pocket watch (or pocketwatch) is a watch that is made to be carried in a pocket, as opposed to a wristwatch, which is strapped to the wrist.
They were the most common type of watch from their development in the 16th century until wristwatc ...
. Lance then faked a break in. Bibby said "He feels really guilty about what's he's done, but convinces himself that this will be his one last bet."
Lance won the bet and his friend, Chris Burgess (Nathan Bocskay), delivered his money to him during Anne's birthday party. Anne witnessed the exchange and threatened to tell Ruth and
Philip
Philip, also Phillip, is a male given name, derived from the Greek (''Philippos'', lit. "horse-loving" or "fond of horses"), from a compound of (''philos'', "dear", "loved", "loving") and (''hippos'', "horse"). Prominent Philips who popularize ...
(
Ian Rawlings
Ian Rawlings (born 9 March 1959) is an Australian actor. He is best known for his long-running roles in soap operas '' Sons and Daughters'' and ''Neighbours''. He also appeared in the short-lived serial ''The Power, the Passion''.
Career ''Sons ...
).
Bibby told an ''
Inside Soap
''Inside Soap'' is a weekly magazine published in the United Kingdom, released every Tuesday. It covers current and future storylines in soap operas in the United Kingdom, including '' Coronation Street'', ''Doctors'', ''EastEnders'', ''Emmerdal ...
'' writer that Anne's threat is what makes Lance finally begin to realise that his gambling has got out of control.
Relationships
Writers created an on-screen partnership between Lance and Amy. They eventually break-up and writers paired Lance with
Megan Townsend
''Neighbours'' is an Australian television soap opera created by Reg Watson. It was first broadcast on 18 March 1985. The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the serial in 1999, by order of first appearance. All characters w ...
(Allison Byrne).
Despite his new romance, Amy continued to play a central role to his story. Amy begins interfering in their relationship because she wants to protect Lance from Megan.
[ Bibby told Belinda Young ('']TV Week
''TV Week'' is a weekly Australian magazine that provides television program listings information and highlights, as well as television-related news.
Content ranges from previews for upcoming storylines of popular television programs, particu ...
'') that Amy dislikes Megan and decides to follow them. Bibby stated that "Lance's love life is interesting" because he has two blonde females fighting over him. Lance becomes concerned about Amy's reluctance to accept Megan and accuses her of being a stalker. Bibby explained that there is "a series of coincidences where Amy happens to be in the same place Lance is, so Lance jumps to the conclusion that she must be stalking him."[ Writers initially depicted Lance in enjoyment over Amy's jealously but this changes when Amy sabotages Lance and Megan's romantic evening. He later realises that Megan is just "stringing him along" and they break-up.][ Despite his newfound single status, the pair continue to play a "jealous mind game". Bibby stated that "Lance has to eat his words and what's worse is that Amy rubs it in." Bibby was hopeful that Lance and Amy would reunite because their mutual attraction always remained.][
]
Returns
In April 2005, it was announced that Bibby had reprised his role for ''Neighbours''' 20th anniversary. His return aired in July of that year.
On 17 January 2018, it was announced that Bibby had reprised the role again, along with several other returning cast members, for a feature-length special episode, which first aired on 12 February 2018. The episode centres on a belated 21st birthday party for Toadie.
Storylines
Hannah Martin develops a crush on Lance, a student in Year 9. Lance eventually asks Hannah out and they begin dating. Lance takes his mother's jewellery and gives it to Hannah to impress her. When Lance's father reveals the truth about the jewellery, Hannah is furious, but forgives Lance. After boasting to his mates that he had had sex with Hannah, Lance is dumped. Lance changes schools and moves to the other side of Erinsborough. Lance returns and he and Hannah become friends again. Ruth and Philip Martin, Hannah's father, are opposed to their children hanging around together. After a while, things calm down and Lance returns to Erinsborough High and Ruth rents Number 32 from Philip. Lance gets a job at a plant nursery, so he can raise some money to send them on holiday in the hope they will get back together.
After denting Karl Kennedy
Karl Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Alan Fletcher. The actor previously appeared in the soap in 1987 as mechanic Greg Cooper. He made his first screen appearance as Karl during the episo ...
's ( Alan Fletcher) car with a shopping cart, Lance takes extra work at the nursery to pay for the damages. He discovers that his boss, Ned Goodman (Brett Tucker
Brett Alan Tucker (born 21 May 1972) is an Australian actor and singer. He was a series regular in ''The Saddle Club'', ''McLeod's Daughters'', and ''Mistresses''. He is also known for his role as Daniel Fitzgerald in ''Neighbours''. He playe ...
), is involved in some illegal activities and Lance's sister Anne urges him to stop Ned. Lance teams up with Toadie, so they can set Anne and Billy Kennedy Billy Kennedy may refer to:
*Billy Kennedy (basketball) (born 1964), former head men's basketball coach at Texas A&M University
* Billy Kennedy (''Neighbours''), a character in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours''
* Billy Kennedy (loyalist), se ...
(Jesse Spencer
Jesse Gordon Spencer (born 12 February 1979) is an Australian actor and musician. He is best known for his roles as Billy Kennedy on the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'' (1994–2000, 2005, 2022), Robert Chase on the American medical drama ...
) up together. Lance finds Ruth and Philip kissing and he takes it very badly, as he hoped his parents would get back together. Ben Atkins
Ben Atkins is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Brett Cousins. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 9 April 1997. He departed on 22 May 1998, before making a two-episode guest ap ...
(Brett Cousins) arrives in Erinsborough and reveals that he is Ruth's son. Lance agrees to bond with his half-brother. Amy Greenwood
Amy Greenwood is a fictional character from the Australian soap ''Neighbours'', played by Jacinta Stapleton. She made her first on-screen appearance on 10 July 1997. Amy is characterised as flirtatious and ditzy, especially interested in fashion ...
(Jacinta Stapleton) shows an interest in Lance and he is thrilled. However, Amy's friends do not like him. Jacinta Myers (Caroline Morgan) frames Lance for printing caricatures of Susan Kennedy
Susan Kennedy (also Smith and Kinski) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'', played by Jackie Woodburne. The character and her family were created by storyliners in an attempt to bring the show back to its roots ...
(Jackie Woodburne
Jacqueline Anne Woodburne (born 5 February 1956) is a Northern Irish-born Australian actress, who is notable for her roles in TV soap operas.
Since 1994, Woodburne has played teacher Susan Kennedy in ''Neighbours''. She first became notable for ...
), resulting in Lance's suspension. Toadie and Amy work together to get Jacinta to confess and Susan lifts Lance's suspension.
After returning home from a camping trip, Anne finds a snake in her belongings. Lance tries to save his sister and he is bitten. Lance becomes jealous when Amy begins to spend much time with Drew Kirk
Andrew "Drew" Kirk is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'', played by Dan Paris. Following his decision to move into acting, Paris won the role of Drew after attending his first ever audition. He admitted that he i ...
(Dan Paris
Daniel Paris (born 15 June 1973) is an Australian actor and photographer. He is best known for playing the role of Drew Kirk in the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours''.
Personal life
Paris was born in Perth, Western Australia and was raised ...
). Philip and Ruth marry and Lance reassures Hannah about their new family. Lance and Amy break up and Lance begins exhibiting strange behaviour. Lance develops a gambling problem and the stress leads him to collapse. Harold Bishop
Harold Wayne Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Ian Smith. The actor was offered the role by the show's creator and executive producer Reg Watson. Smith made his first screen appearance as H ...
(Ian Smith
Ian Douglas Smith (8 April 1919 – 20 November 2007) was a Rhodesian politician, farmer, and fighter pilot who served as Prime Minister of Rhodesia (known as Southern Rhodesia until October 1964 and now known as Zimbabwe) from 1964 to ...
) offers to be an invigilator when Lance sits his exams at home. Lance's results are not what he expected, but good enough for him to study Horticulture at Eden Hills University. Amy introduces Lance to her boyfriend, Damien Smith (John Ridley), and he begins gambling again. Lance fakes a robbery at Number 26 after he pawns Ruth's fob watch. Lance is ashamed and he writes a letter of apology and begins attending Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous (GA) founded in 1957 is an international fellowship of people who have a compulsive gambling problem. They meet regularly to share their "experiences, strength and hope", so they can help each other solve the problems compulsive ...
meetings.
Philip, Ruth and Hannah move to Darwin, so Lance moves in with Toadie and Joel Samuels. Lance reconciles with Amy, but she starts avoiding him and eventually reveals that she has been seeing Damien and that she is pregnant. Lance finds out Anne knew and he stops talking to her, but ultimately is responsible for Amy and Damian getting back together because he wants Amy to be happy and knows it will be with Damien, rather than himself. Both Lance and Toadie compete for Stephanie Scully
Stephanie "Steph" Scully (also Hoyland) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Carla Bonner. She made her first screen appearance during the episode that was broadcast on 20 October 1999. Following Bonner ...
's (Carla Bonner
Carla Bonner is an Australian actress, known for playing the role of Stephanie Scully in the soap opera ''Neighbours'', a role she played from 1999 to 2010. She was also a guest on '' Celebrity Big Brother Australia'' in 2002. Following her de ...
) attention after she moves into the street. Lance meets Allana Truman (Josephine Clark) at a sci-fi convention and he falls for her. Allana sets Lance the task of completing Seven Labours of Love to win her heart. Lance completes the tasks and he and Allana begin a relationship.
Lance helps Allana get away from her mother and they decide to go travelling in America. Lance enters a radio quiz in order to win some money. He becomes popular with listeners and the radio station bosses decide to feed him the answers, to keep him on air. Lance exposes the scam and he and Allana leave Erinsborough for the United States, where they set up their own sci-fi convention. Four years later, Lance returns to Erinsborough for a '' Star Trek: Deep Space Nine'' convention and he decides to visit his old friends. He attends the viewing of Annalise Hartman
Annalise Hartman is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Kimberley Davies. She made her debut during the episode broadcast on 15 January 1993 and departed on 31 January 1996. Davies reprised the role in Ju ...
's (Kimberly Davies
Kimberley Davies (born 20 February 1973) is an Australian actress most famous for playing Annalise Hartman on the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'' from 1993 to 1996. She is sometimes credited as "Kimberly Davies".
Life and career
Davies w ...
) documentary about Ramsay Street and is surprised to see Amy make an appearance. Lance competes with Connor O'Neill
Connor O'Neill is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'', played by Patrick Harvey. He made his first screen appearance during the episode on 19 April 2002. Harvey was still in school when he won the role of Connor. ...
( Patrick Harvey) for Toadie's friendship before heading home to Allana. Lance returns thirteen years later to celebrate a belated 1990s-themed 21st birthday party for Toadie, where he, Toadie, Stuart Parker Stuart Parker may refer to:
* Stuart Parker (politician) (born 1972), former leader of the Green Party in British Columbia, Canada
* Stuart Parker (footballer, born 1954), English football manager and former footballer
* Stuart Parker (footballer ...
(Blair McDonough
Blair McDonough (born 30 April 1981), is an Australian actor who is best known for playing the role of Stuart Parker in the Australian TV soap opera '' Neighbours''. He first shot to fame the age of 19 in 2001, when he finished runner-up in the ...
) and Stonefish Rebecchi (Anthony Engleman) dress as The Teletubbies
''Teletubbies'' is a British children's television series created by Anne Wood and Andrew Davenport for the BBC. The programme focuses on four differently coloured characters known as the Teletubbies, named after the television screens on th ...
.
Reception
A writer for the BBC's ''Neighbours'' website said Lance's most notable moment was "discovering that a possum had pooed in the veggie ragout" on a camping trip. After Lance was seen dropping a washer into a public pay phone, the Australian national phone company said ''Neighbours'' would be found accountable if viewers began to copy the trick.
References
External links
Lance Wilkinson
at BBC Online
BBC Online, formerly known as BBCi, is the BBC's online service. It is a large network of websites including such high-profile sites as BBC News and BBC Sport, Sport, the on-demand video and radio services branded BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, t ...
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilkinson, Lance
Neighbours characters
Fictional gamblers
Fictional twins
Television characters introduced in 1995
Male characters in television