‘I GAVE UP THE SPOTLIGHT TO SAVE LIVES’ ‘THIS ROLE CHANGED MY LIFE’

He was ACP’S unlikely and reluctant sex symbol – something he still finds surprising – but it seems the attention got the better of John, who turned his back on the limelight after winning a legion of fans as Wandin Valley’s resident vet.

John also worked on the other side of the camera on different shows with his ACP on-screen wife, Georgie Parker. “I actually worked behind the scenes on a few shows Georgie has acted on, so we’re still pretty close and have a good laugh when we see each other,” he says.

John branched out into all sorts of careers after he took a step back from acting, including jobs as a landscape labourer and a snowboarding instructor, on top of working at a zoo, studying winemaking, mowing lawns, and working at Bunnings.

These days John, who has a long-term partner and “three fur kids”, is working for NSW Ambulance as a level two paramedic.

Georgie credits the drama series with catapulting her to fame, but admits that in real life, she’s far less impulsive than the madcap nurse who turned Wandin Valley upside down.

“The whole experience changed my life,” she tells. “Before ACP I’d primarily done theatre and through the brilliant character of Lucy I was introduced to a wider audience. I think she resonated with the audience because she was open, friendly, energetic and honest.”

One of Georgie’s highlights was her wedding to John Tarrant, who played vet Matt Tyler.

“John is a wonderful man. I was very fortunate to start off my TV career with someone so kind, patient and supportive. I told my mother she should come out and watch us film the wedding in case I never actually did get married. It was pretty funny. Luckily I did get married 22 years ago, and we have a 20-year-old daughter.”

Georgie also adored Lorrae Desmond and Shane Porteous, and loved working with many of the famed on-set animals, such as Fatso the wombat.

“Rhett the rooster was an astounding colleague. He was courteous, on time and never hogged the limelight. I loved him. We worked with a chimpanzee once who decided he didn’t really like any of us. We had owls, koalas, lizards, horses, cows, sheep, chickens and so many more. It was tricky, but such a unique experience.”