Neighbours
ALAN DALE TELLS US ABOUT REPRISING HIS ICONIC NEIGHBOURS CHARACTER THIS CHRISTMAS…
There’s a Ghost of Christmas Past in Erinsborough this fortnight, as Jim Robinson makes a special guest appearance. Neighbours bosses are keeping tight-lipped on exactly how the character will return – but given that he breathed his last in 1993, it’s certain to be dramatic! Inside Soap grabbed actor Alan Dale to talk about going back to his Ramsay Street roots…
Hi, Alan! How does it feel to be back in character as Jim Robinson?
It’s a strange feeling after 25 years, particularly as he died in the show!
What are your memories of working alongside your screen son, Stefan Dennis (who plays Paul)?
Stef and I were in the first episode together – in fact, it may even have been the very first scene of Neighbours! We’ve been really good friends since then, we’ve kept in touch a lot, and we nearly always catch up when I am back in Melbourne.
What was it like returning to the Neighbours set earlier this year?
It was actually quite eerie being back there, but I absolutely loved it! I was a little nervous about it, and wasn’t sure how I would feel when I got there, because we had not parted that well all those years ago. Everyone was so welcoming, though – and there were so many people working behind the camera as well as in front that I had known. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
When you left the show in 1993, did you imagine that it would still be on air 25 years later?
At the time, it was hard to contemplate that a show would have such longevity. There are other series that clock up many years, though, such as Coronation Street. But no, I didn’t expect it still to be going now – I didn’t expect me to still be going now!
Your scenes will air during Neighbours’ very first Christmas episode – but what are your own plans for the festive season?
Often we’re in Australia, but not this year. My wife Tracey’s family is coming over to the States, and my son, his wife, and my grandchildren Holly and Jack are also going to be joining us – so it will be a massive gathering of family.
You’re currently playing a starring role in another iconic soap, Dynasty, in the US. How is that going?
We’re shooting in Atlanta, where I am now, and that was a surprise. When we did the pilot it was freezing, as it can get cold in Atlanta, and I thought, ‘This is awful!’ But when the series was picked up, I returned in July, and it’s gorgeous. It’s a beautiful city – I’ve even bought a house here!
It was quite eerie being back – but I absolutely loved it!”