Stuart Parker (Neighbours)

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Stuart Parker
Neighbours character
Former; regular
Introduced byStanley Walsh (2001)
Jason Herbison (2018)
In-universe information
Occupation
  • Mechanic
  • Soldier
  • Hospital porter
  • Chauffeur
  • Police officer
FatherJim Parker
MotherKitty Parker
BrothersNed Parker
Half-brothersSteve Parker
WifeSindi Watts (2005–; divorced)
AuntsRaylene Manson

Stuart Parker is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera

final episode
on 28 July 2022.

Casting

In 2001, McDonough became a runner-up in the first series of

Australian Big Brother. His "good looks and down-to-earth personality" attracted the attention of the Neighbours' producers.[1] McDonough had to audition for the role of Stuart. He was offered the part, which was initially for three months.[2] McDonough began filming with the show in August 2001.[3] Shortly before his debut episode aired, he had his three-month contract extended to six months.[4] This was then extended to one year.[5]

Development

Characterisation and introduction

McDonough found that he was very similar to Stuart. He told Jason Herbison of Inside Soap, "There's a lot of him in me. He's a fairly straightforward guy, who's just out to have a good time."[5] McDonough also said that he and his character were both from the country, but Stuart was more naive than he was.[5]

Stuart, or "Chooka" as he is nicknamed, comes from Oakey, the home town of fellow Neighbours character Drew Kirk (Dan Paris). He is introduced as the younger brother of one of Drew's friends. He first appears at the Oakey Rodeo, where Drew is competing.[5] A week later, Stuart follows Drew to Erinsborough, and McDonough said Stuart plans on "making a name for himself in the big smoke." Stuart immediately wins people over with his "country charm".[5]

Departure and returns

McDonough quit the show in October 2005 after four years to move to the UK. A spokeswoman said "It was an enormous opportunity... and he's a bit sad leaving Ramsay Street because he's had a great time. But it's time to move on."[6]

In January 2018, it was announced that McDonough had reprised his role. Executive producer Jason Herbison stated that Stuart will return to Erinsborough for a celebration which allows him to "reconnect with an old friend".

Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney).[8]

McDonough then made an unannounced return for the intended finale on 28 July 2022, in where Stuart sends a video message for Toadie after his wedding. Stuart added further nostalgia to the episode by referencing the "House of Trouser", the name that he and Toadie used to call Number 30.[9]

Storylines

Stuart turns up in Erinsborough and his friend, Drew Kirk allows him to stay with him and his wife

Tracey Slattery (Christine Wools) shows up in Ramsay Street and Stuart explains that she cheated on him on the eve of their wedding. Upon Tracey's departure, Stuart and Dee break up. Stuart then develops feelings for Felicity Scully (Holly Valance). Stuart joins the army, but he is not happy and decides to take a job as a hospital porter instead. Following Drew's death, Stuart promises Libby that he will be there for her and he quits his job at the hospital. Shortly after becoming a couple, Felicity tells Stuart that she is leaving for New York. Stuart proposes to her and she accepts. Once Felicity leaves, Stuart begins spending time with Libby and her son, Ben Kirk (Noah Sutherland). Stuart later admits that he made a mistake getting engaged and calls Felicity to tell her that their relationship is over. Stuart finds the garage hard to run by himself, and he employs Stephanie Scully (Carla Bonner
). Stuart is accused of causing Dee's death when the car Toadie was driving on their wedding day is not deemed roadworthy.

Stuart meets

Olivia McPherson (Silvia de Crespigny), they get on well and Stuart develops a crush on her. However, when he discovers she is corrupt, he reports her. Stuart fails to get on well with Toadie's new girlfriend, Sindi Watts (Marisa Warrington
), but during an argument, they kiss. Sindi tells Toadie, and they stay together. When Toadie breaks up with her, Stuart and Sindi begin a secret relationship.

During a fire at the pub, Stuart tries to rescue Sindi, but the pub collapses and traps them. When they are rescued, Stuart is found to have severe injuries to his eyes. The Helen Daniels Trust donates money to Stuart so he can have an operation to fix his sight. Stuart grows suspicious about Sindi's behaviour when his friends begin to get injured.

Kevin Rebecchi
(Don Bridges).

Stuart returns to Erinsborough for Toadie's belated 21st party. He tells Toadie that Angie, Kev and his brother Stonefish Rebecchi (Anthony Engelman) are now coming to the party. Along with Lance Wilkinson (Andrew Bibby), Stuart, Stonie and Toadie dress as the Teletubbies for the party. Sindi repeatedly calls Stuart, but he ignores her and decides not to tell Toadie. Stuart makes a speech mentioning Toadie's romantic troubles with Sindi and con artist Andrea Somers (Madeleine West), causing Toadie to leave the party. Stuart follows him outside, and finds Sindi has come to tell Toadie that Andrea is back. Stuart catches up with Steph and tells her that his marriage to Sindi ended as she had a lot of issues to work through. Toadie apologises to Stuart for being busy with work, and they spend the afternoon together. After buying burgers from Grease Monkeys, Stuart notices the garage across the road and remarks that it has not changed. He notices the mechanic and Toadie introduces him as Ben (now Felix Mallard), Drew and Libby's son. Toadie persuades Ben to shut up the garage for the day and join him and Stuart at Number 30. Steph joins them in a game of truth or dare. Stuart tells Ben that he became a mechanic because of Drew and they all reminisce about him.

Four years later, Stuart sends Toadie a video message congratulating him on his marriage to Melanie Pearson (Lucinda Cowden).

Reception

For his portrayal of Stuart, McDonough received a nomination for the Logie Award for Most Popular New Male Talent in 2002.[10] He also earned a nomination for Sexiest Male at the 2003 Inside Soap Awards.[11] Michael Idato of The Sydney Morning Herald praised McDonough's performance during his debut, writing "He is, in fact, a surprise: a perfectly adequate performer, considering he comes with no formal qualification in drama."[12] Cameron Adams of the Herald Sun liked the character's change in career, writing "At least Stu (Blair McDonough) is getting a decent storyline – after the whole pitiful Life Mechanics thing. Stu wants to be a cop and he's going through the rigorous testing it takes to get his badge – a police officer's just what Ramsay St needs."[13]

Nick Levine of media and entertainment website Digital Spy included McDonough in a picture feature of the "sexiest male soap stars from the last ten years."[14] A writer for the BBC's Neighbours website said Stuart's most memorable moments were "helping Flick through her problems with Marc and Steph" and "being blamed by Toadie for Dee's death."[15] After his brief 2022 return, Laura Denby from Radio Times stated that described Stuart as "fan-favourite back in his hey-day".[16]

References

  1. Hearst Magazines UK
    ). Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  2. ^ Duck, Siobhan (13 August 2008). "Neighbours' Blair McDonough on why Big Brother got bad". Herald Sun. (The Herald and Weekly Times). Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  3. ^ Molitorisz, Sacha (27 May 2002). "Escape from Ramsay Street". The Sydney Morning Herald. (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  4. ^ Miller, Kylie (22 November 2001). "Networking". The Age. (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 6 July 2011.
  5. ^
    Hachette Filipacchi UK
    ): 32.
  6. Hearst Magazines UK
    ). Retrieved 3 April 2010.
  7. Hearst Magazines UK
    ). Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  8. Metro. (DMG Media
    ). Retrieved 19 January 2018.
  9. ^ Denby, Laura. "Neighbours finale cameos as fan-favourites make surprise returns". Radio Times. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  10. ^ Ede, Charisse (3 April 2002). "TV's longest night is back". Illawarra Mercury. (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  11. ^ "Battle of the soaps!". Inside Soap (39): 38–39. 27 September – 3 October 2003.
  12. ^ Idato, Michael (10 December 2001). "TV previews". The Sydney Morning Herald. (Fairfax Media). Retrieved 1 November 2016.
  13. ^ Adams, Cameron (28 May 2004). "Television". Herald Sun. Retrieved 27 March 2024 – via Gale.
  14. Hearst Magazines UK
    ). Retrieved 19 September 2010.
  15. ^ "Character: Stuart Parker". BBC Online. Archived from the original on 23 June 2004. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  16. ^ Denby, Laura. "Neighbours finale cameos as fan-favourites make surprise returns". Radio Times. Retrieved 28 June 2023.

External links

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