Ben Fitzgerald
Encyclopedia
Ben Ian Fitzgerald is a fictional character
from the Australian Network Ten
soap opera Neighbours
, played by Blake O'Leary. The character was previously played by Noah Sutherland and Sean Berends. He made his first on-screen appearance on 14 December 2001. Ben is the son of Libby Kennedy
and Drew Kirk
. Ben and Libby departed Ramsay Street in 2003 after Libby decided to moved to Shepparton
with Darren Stark
. The family returned briefly in 2004 and in 2007, they returned permanently. In August 2010, it was announced that Ben would be departing Neighbours the following month.
(Kym Valentine
) gave birth to her and husband, Drew Kirk
's (Dan Paris
) son. The birth placed Libby's life in danger and she was rushed to intensive care with blood loss. Paris said "All their worst fears are realised, they both knew the birth would be risky for both Libby and the child – and while the baby is alright, Libby is still fighting for her life". Libby makes a recovery and she is allowed to hold her son for the first time. Valentine said "It's a wonderful moment when Libby holds her new-born baby". Off set, Valentine and Paris both bonded with Noah Sutherland who played their on-screen baby. Valentine told TV Week
that Sutherland was "a complete natural" and that she had bonded with him "straight away". Paris admitted that he was a little nervous around the baby, saying "Working with Noah has been quite daunting – it's unfamiliar territory to me.
Libby and Drew struggle to name their new son and after a debate, they decide on Ben. Valentine revealed that she asked the producers to name the baby Ben after a close friend of hers who had passed away a few years before. Ben's middle name, Ian, is a tribute to Neighbours writer Ian Coughlan. The couple were then seen arguing over Ben's surname, with Libby unconvinced that Ben should be a Kirk. They later decide that he should be Ben K, until they resolve the situation.
Following a brief appearance in 2004, the character and his mother returned permanently in 2007. Blake O'Leary originally auditioned for the role of Mickey Gannon, but his elder brother Fletcher O'Leary
was handed the role instead. A few months later auditions for the character of Ben Kirk came up and O'Leary was cast in the role. Network Ten
describe Ben as being "his mother's biggest supporter and her rock" following his father's death. They also say that Ben is a "loyal friend".
In August 2010, it was announced that O'Leary and Ben would be leaving the show in September. The character could be recast at a later date, but as of August 2010, there are currently no plans for him to return. Of the reason for Ben's departure, a spokesperson said "The Ben character is younger than the other main kids, Sophie and Callum. They are now in high school, but Ben is still in junior school, so it was tricky to come up with storylines which involve all the kids".
thought Libby could never fall pregnant. It was a shock to all when Libby discovered she was pregnant. Ben's birth was very dramatic. Libby, Drew and Karl Kennedy
were at a Rodeo
in Drew's home town of Oakey. Libby got locked in a barn and went into labour. Eventually Karl and Drew found her and she was airlifted to hospital. Ben was born safely, but Libby almost died.
(Marissa Siketa) who opens the back door. Libby, Drew and Ben go to visit Drew's father up in Oakey. Whilst out riding, Drew falls from his horse and he dies, leaving Ben without a father.
Libby begins a relationship with Darren Stark
(Todd MacDonald
) and they leave Ramsay Street to live in Shepparton. Libby and Ben return without Darren three years later and Libby explains that Darren cheated on her. Darren arrives and tells Susan
(Jackie Woodburne
) and Karl
(Alan Fletcher) that Libby constantly told him that he was not Ben's father. He ends up leaving the Street alone. Darren and Libby's split hurt Ben as Darren had been the only father he had known. Libby enrolls Ben at Erinsborough Primary and he becomes friends with neighbour Mickey Gannon (Fletcher O'Leary
).
Libby meets Daniel Fitzgerald
(Brett Tucker
) and they start a relationship. Ben begins to look up to Dan and sees him as a father figure. Libby and Dan marry and Ben is a page boy at their wedding. Libby also finds out she is pregnant and Ben is excited to have a younger brother or sister around. However, Libby loses the baby, which makes Ben sad. Ben starts to feel out of place in his family as he is was the only one with a different surname. Libby allows Ben to change his name to Fitzgerald, but this causes friction between Libby and Steph. Ben tells Steph that he will leave his name the way it is, but Steph realises that it is none of her business and Ben changes his name.
Dan becomes a good stepfather to Ben and he does all the "blokey" stuff with him. Ben and Dan's relationship goes through a rough patch when Dan threatens to hit Ben for misbehaving. Susan agrees to carry Libby and Dan's child and she becomes pregnant. However, she miscarries the baby and Libby has to tell Ben that he would not be a big brother. Libby and Dan decide to separate, leaving Ben without a father figure again. This hurts Ben and he asks Libby and Steph why no one wants him. Steph reassures him that Drew never wanted to leave. Ben continues to have a good relationship with Lucas Fitzgerald
(Scott Major
). Lucas helps Ben out with school, takes him on his motorbike and helps coach the soccer team.
Ben joins a band with Callum Jones
(Morgan Baker
), Mickey and Charlie Hoyland (Jacob Brito). Ty Harper
(Dean Geyer
) teaches them how to play as a band before his departure. When he leaves the Street, the band sing for Ty. Ben later becomes friends with Sophie Ramsay
(Kaiya Jones
) too. Ben, Callum and Sophie join the soccer team and are trained by Andrew Robinson
(Jordan Smith
), until he is banned from training them. Libby takes over, which embarrasses Ben, as she does not know anything about soccer. Libby takes the kids to Kate Ramsay
(Ashleigh Brewer
) to practice some dancing and Ben decides that he wants to be a dancer. Sophie supports him and so does Callum, despite joking that it was girly.
Ben is confused and hurt when Steph's baby secret comes out and Libby tries to keep it from him. Libby also tries to keep Ben away from Callum's birthday party, but she eventually lets him go. Ben tells Libby that his teacher is not letting him give a speech to the class as she believes that he did not write his assignment. He says that he did not cheat and that his teacher does not like him. Libby meets with his teacher, Elaine Rushmore (Soula Alexander), and she learns that Ben has been writing lots of stories, but they are not about subjects Elaine has set. Libby tells Susan and Karl that she is going to get Ben tested as she thinks he is bright and his writing is good. Ben passes the test and he is accepted into an arts school in the country.
. The BBC
said that Ben's most notable moment was "Almost being born in a barn."
The character of Ben has been received negatively by Ruth Deller of television website Lowculture
. She said "It's hard to believe something so evil is the child of Drew. One can only assume his father's horse-related death traumatised the child terribly, as otherwise there is no excuse for the brat's whining. Hopefully there'll be some sort of Ben gets redeemed storyline, because right now, he's fast threatening to overtake Hannah 'Button' Martin as the most irritating child to ever hit Ramsay Street". Deller has further commented on Ben stating: Ben has long been a contender for the most annoying child in Erinsborough award [...] He’s been acting like a three year old despite being about ten putting on cutesy voices when making shite presents for 'the baby'. But worst of all, he idolises Fitzy, who isn’t even the good Fitzgerald brother, and wants to get rid of the saintly Drew's surname, who (despite being long dead) any normal child would surely prefer to be named after."
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the Australian Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
soap opera Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
, played by Blake O'Leary. The character was previously played by Noah Sutherland and Sean Berends. He made his first on-screen appearance on 14 December 2001. Ben is the son of Libby Kennedy
Libby Kennedy
Elizabeth Grace "Libby" Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kym Valentine. She made her first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 and departed in 2004, before returning on 12 November 2007. Libby is the only daughter of Karl and Susan Kennedy...
and Drew Kirk
Drew Kirk
Andrew "Drew" Kirk is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Dan Paris. He made his first on-screen appearance on 27 March 1998. Drew departed on 13 September 2002...
. Ben and Libby departed Ramsay Street in 2003 after Libby decided to moved to Shepparton
Shepparton, Victoria
Shepparton is a city located on the floodplain of the Goulburn River in the north east of Victoria, Australia approximately north-east of Melbourne. It is the fifth largest city in Victoria, Australia. The estimated population of Shepparton's statistical area is 48,926.It began as a sheep station...
with Darren Stark
Darren Stark
Darren Stark is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Todd MacDonald. He made his first on-screen appearance on 20 July 1993 and was originally played by Scott Major. When the character was released from prison in 1996, MacDonald took over the role and remained...
. The family returned briefly in 2004 and in 2007, they returned permanently. In August 2010, it was announced that Ben would be departing Neighbours the following month.
Character development
In 2001, Libby KennedyLibby Kennedy
Elizabeth Grace "Libby" Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kym Valentine. She made her first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 and departed in 2004, before returning on 12 November 2007. Libby is the only daughter of Karl and Susan Kennedy...
(Kym Valentine
Kym Valentine
Kym Valentine is a Maltese Australian actress best known for her portrayal of Libby Kennedy in the soap opera Neighbours.-Early and personal life:...
) gave birth to her and husband, Drew Kirk
Drew Kirk
Andrew "Drew" Kirk is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Dan Paris. He made his first on-screen appearance on 27 March 1998. Drew departed on 13 September 2002...
's (Dan Paris
Dan Paris
Dan Paris is an Australian actor. He is best known for playing the role of Drew Kirk in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.Paris was born in Perth, Australia and was raised in Esperance in Western Australia....
) son. The birth placed Libby's life in danger and she was rushed to intensive care with blood loss. Paris said "All their worst fears are realised, they both knew the birth would be risky for both Libby and the child – and while the baby is alright, Libby is still fighting for her life". Libby makes a recovery and she is allowed to hold her son for the first time. Valentine said "It's a wonderful moment when Libby holds her new-born baby". Off set, Valentine and Paris both bonded with Noah Sutherland who played their on-screen baby. Valentine told TV Week
TV Week
TV Week is a weekly television magazine in Australia, first published as a Melbourne-only publication in December 1957 , and bearing a strong affiliation to television station GTV.The publication is still publishing weekly...
that Sutherland was "a complete natural" and that she had bonded with him "straight away". Paris admitted that he was a little nervous around the baby, saying "Working with Noah has been quite daunting – it's unfamiliar territory to me.
Libby and Drew struggle to name their new son and after a debate, they decide on Ben. Valentine revealed that she asked the producers to name the baby Ben after a close friend of hers who had passed away a few years before. Ben's middle name, Ian, is a tribute to Neighbours writer Ian Coughlan. The couple were then seen arguing over Ben's surname, with Libby unconvinced that Ben should be a Kirk. They later decide that he should be Ben K, until they resolve the situation.
Following a brief appearance in 2004, the character and his mother returned permanently in 2007. Blake O'Leary originally auditioned for the role of Mickey Gannon, but his elder brother Fletcher O'Leary
Fletcher O'Leary
Fletcher O'Leary is an Australian child actor. He is best known for playing the role of Mickey Gannon in the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 19 June 2007 to 14 July 2009.-Biography:...
was handed the role instead. A few months later auditions for the character of Ben Kirk came up and O'Leary was cast in the role. Network Ten
Network Ten
Network Ten , is one of Australia's three major commercial television networks. Owned-and-operated stations can be found in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, while affiliates extend the network to cover most of the country...
describe Ben as being "his mother's biggest supporter and her rock" following his father's death. They also say that Ben is a "loyal friend".
In August 2010, it was announced that O'Leary and Ben would be leaving the show in September. The character could be recast at a later date, but as of August 2010, there are currently no plans for him to return. Of the reason for Ben's departure, a spokesperson said "The Ben character is younger than the other main kids, Sophie and Callum. They are now in high school, but Ben is still in junior school, so it was tricky to come up with storylines which involve all the kids".
Background
After Libby and Steph Scully had their bike accident everyone on Ramsay StreetRamsay Street
Ramsay Street is the fictional cul-de-sac in which the characters of the Australian soap opera Neighbours live. The street is set in the equally fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough. Neighbours storylines primarily centre around the residents of the Street, which was named after the...
thought Libby could never fall pregnant. It was a shock to all when Libby discovered she was pregnant. Ben's birth was very dramatic. Libby, Drew and Karl Kennedy
Karl Kennedy
Karl Raymond Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Alan Fletcher. The character and his family were created by storyliners in an attempt to bring the show back to its roots. Karl made his first on-screen appearance on 20 September 1994 along with his...
were at a Rodeo
Rodeo
Rodeo is a competitive sport which arose out of the working practices of cattle herding in Spain, Mexico, and later the United States, Canada, South America and Australia. It was based on the skills required of the working vaqueros and later, cowboys, in what today is the western United States,...
in Drew's home town of Oakey. Libby got locked in a barn and went into labour. Eventually Karl and Drew found her and she was airlifted to hospital. Ben was born safely, but Libby almost died.
2001–10
After his birth, Ben almost dies when he is locked in Libby and Drew's house whilst it is being fumigated. Ben is saved by Summer HoylandSummer Hoyland
Summer Rose Hoyland is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Jordy Lucas. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 May 2002. The character was originally played by Marisa Siketa from her arrival to her departure in 2005 and her subsequent...
(Marissa Siketa) who opens the back door. Libby, Drew and Ben go to visit Drew's father up in Oakey. Whilst out riding, Drew falls from his horse and he dies, leaving Ben without a father.
Libby begins a relationship with Darren Stark
Darren Stark
Darren Stark is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Todd MacDonald. He made his first on-screen appearance on 20 July 1993 and was originally played by Scott Major. When the character was released from prison in 1996, MacDonald took over the role and remained...
(Todd MacDonald
Todd MacDonald
Todd MacDonald is an Australian actor who is best known for his roles on the soap opera Neighbours and the drama series The Secret Life of Us and Rush....
) and they leave Ramsay Street to live in Shepparton. Libby and Ben return without Darren three years later and Libby explains that Darren cheated on her. Darren arrives and tells Susan
Susan Kennedy
Susan Kennedy , is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten 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. Susan made her first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 along...
(Jackie Woodburne
Jackie Woodburne
Jackie Woodburne is a Northern Irish-born Australian actress.-Personal life:Woodburne was born in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Her father was a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. She has two older siblings: John and Stephen. At age three she emigrated with her family to...
) and Karl
Karl Kennedy
Karl Raymond Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Alan Fletcher. The character and his family were created by storyliners in an attempt to bring the show back to its roots. Karl made his first on-screen appearance on 20 September 1994 along with his...
(Alan Fletcher) that Libby constantly told him that he was not Ben's father. He ends up leaving the Street alone. Darren and Libby's split hurt Ben as Darren had been the only father he had known. Libby enrolls Ben at Erinsborough Primary and he becomes friends with neighbour Mickey Gannon (Fletcher O'Leary
Fletcher O'Leary
Fletcher O'Leary is an Australian child actor. He is best known for playing the role of Mickey Gannon in the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 19 June 2007 to 14 July 2009.-Biography:...
).
Libby meets Daniel Fitzgerald
Daniel Fitzgerald (Neighbours)
Daniel Fitzgerald is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Brett Tucker. He made his first on-screen appearance on 1 September 1999. Dan becomes a teacher at Erinsborough High and shares a house with fellow teacher, Tess. He remained as a recurring...
(Brett Tucker
Brett Tucker
Brett Alan Tucker is an Australian actor and singer. He was a series regular in The Saddle Club and McLeod's Daughters...
) and they start a relationship. Ben begins to look up to Dan and sees him as a father figure. Libby and Dan marry and Ben is a page boy at their wedding. Libby also finds out she is pregnant and Ben is excited to have a younger brother or sister around. However, Libby loses the baby, which makes Ben sad. Ben starts to feel out of place in his family as he is was the only one with a different surname. Libby allows Ben to change his name to Fitzgerald, but this causes friction between Libby and Steph. Ben tells Steph that he will leave his name the way it is, but Steph realises that it is none of her business and Ben changes his name.
Dan becomes a good stepfather to Ben and he does all the "blokey" stuff with him. Ben and Dan's relationship goes through a rough patch when Dan threatens to hit Ben for misbehaving. Susan agrees to carry Libby and Dan's child and she becomes pregnant. However, she miscarries the baby and Libby has to tell Ben that he would not be a big brother. Libby and Dan decide to separate, leaving Ben without a father figure again. This hurts Ben and he asks Libby and Steph why no one wants him. Steph reassures him that Drew never wanted to leave. Ben continues to have a good relationship with Lucas Fitzgerald
Lucas Fitzgerald
Lucas Fitzgerald is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, portrayed by Scott Major. He made his first on-screen appearance on 22 July 2008. The role of Lucas is Major's second character on the show, he previously played Darren Stark in 1993. Lucas is the brother of Daniel...
(Scott Major
Scott Major
Scott Major is an Australian actor. Major's acting début was playing Murray on Home and Away in the 1990s. He joined the Neighbours cast for a brief period in 1993 as the original Darren Stark. and then was a part of the Heartbreak High cast as "Rivers" from 1994–1995...
). Lucas helps Ben out with school, takes him on his motorbike and helps coach the soccer team.
Ben joins a band with Callum Jones
Callum Jones
Callum Jones is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours played by child actor Morgan Baker. He made his first appearance on-screen on 9 June 2008. The character was introduced to the show following the decision to stop a storyline that saw Toadfish Rebecchi adopt a child...
(Morgan Baker
Morgan Baker
Morgan Baker is an Australian child actor. He has been playing Callum Jones on the soap opera Neighbours since June 2008.-Career:...
), Mickey and Charlie Hoyland (Jacob Brito). Ty Harper
Ty Harper
Ty Harper is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by singer Dean Geyer. He made his first appearance on-screen on 27 March 2008. He was introduced to the show as the cousin of Taylah Jordan and as a potential romantic interest for Rachel Kinski...
(Dean Geyer
Dean Geyer
Dean Stanley Geyer is an Australian Singer-Songwriter and Actor who came third in the 2006 season of the talent show television series, Australian Idol.-Early life:...
) teaches them how to play as a band before his departure. When he leaves the Street, the band sing for Ty. Ben later becomes friends with Sophie Ramsay
Sophie Ramsay
Sophie Ramsay is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Kaiya Jones. She made her first on-screen appearance on 18 May 2009. The character was created as part of a new generation of the Ramsay family. Sophie is the youngest of the Ramsay siblings, which also...
(Kaiya Jones
Kaiya Jones
Kaiya Jones is a Scottish-born Australian actress best known for playing the role of Sophie Ramsay in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. She previously played Jess Cooper in The Saddle Club series 3.-Early and personal life:...
) too. Ben, Callum and Sophie join the soccer team and are trained by Andrew Robinson
Andrew Robinson (Neighbours)
Andrew Benito Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jordan Smith. He made his first on-screen appearance on 13 November 1991. Shannon Holmes previously played the role from the character's birth in 1991 until 1992...
(Jordan Smith
Jordan Smith (actor)
Jordan Patrick Smith is a Scottish-born Australian actor best known for playing Andrew Robinson in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Personal life:...
), until he is banned from training them. Libby takes over, which embarrasses Ben, as she does not know anything about soccer. Libby takes the kids to Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay
Kate Ramsay is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Ashleigh Brewer. She made her first on-screen appearance on 15 May 2009. She is the eldest sibling of Harry and Sophie Ramsay...
(Ashleigh Brewer
Ashleigh Brewer
Ashleigh Brewer is an Australian actress. She is best known for playing Kate Ramsay in the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Biography and personal life:...
) to practice some dancing and Ben decides that he wants to be a dancer. Sophie supports him and so does Callum, despite joking that it was girly.
Ben is confused and hurt when Steph's baby secret comes out and Libby tries to keep it from him. Libby also tries to keep Ben away from Callum's birthday party, but she eventually lets him go. Ben tells Libby that his teacher is not letting him give a speech to the class as she believes that he did not write his assignment. He says that he did not cheat and that his teacher does not like him. Libby meets with his teacher, Elaine Rushmore (Soula Alexander), and she learns that Ben has been writing lots of stories, but they are not about subjects Elaine has set. Libby tells Susan and Karl that she is going to get Ben tested as she thinks he is bright and his writing is good. Ben passes the test and he is accepted into an arts school in the country.
Reception
For his portrayal of Ben, O'Leary was nominated for "Best Young Actor" at the 2009 Inside Soap AwardsInside Soap Awards
The Inside Soap Awards is a yearly award ceremony run by Inside Soap magazine since 1996. The awards celebrate the British and Australian soap operas and their actors. Until 2007, EastEnders had won the award for "Best Soap" on every occasion...
. The BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
said that Ben's most notable moment was "Almost being born in a barn."
The character of Ben has been received negatively by Ruth Deller of television website Lowculture
Lowculture
lowculture.co.uk is a UK television website founded in January 2003 by Paul Lang, who currently works as the art director of Doctor Who Adventures.-Purpose:...
. She said "It's hard to believe something so evil is the child of Drew. One can only assume his father's horse-related death traumatised the child terribly, as otherwise there is no excuse for the brat's whining. Hopefully there'll be some sort of Ben gets redeemed storyline, because right now, he's fast threatening to overtake Hannah 'Button' Martin as the most irritating child to ever hit Ramsay Street". Deller has further commented on Ben stating: Ben has long been a contender for the most annoying child in Erinsborough award [...] He’s been acting like a three year old despite being about ten putting on cutesy voices when making shite presents for 'the baby'. But worst of all, he idolises Fitzy, who isn’t even the good Fitzgerald brother, and wants to get rid of the saintly Drew's surname, who (despite being long dead) any normal child would surely prefer to be named after."