Josh West (Home and Away)
Encyclopedia
Joshua "Josh" West is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven
soap opera Home and Away
, played by Daniel Collopy
. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 21 November 2001. The character departed in 2003, but made several reappearances later that year. He returned in a semi-regular stint in late 2005, which lasted until his death in 2006.
successfully auditioned for the role of Josh and moved from Melbourne to Sydney to begin filming. Josh was introduced as the serial new trainee lifeguard and a potential new love interest for established character Dani Sutherland (Tammin Sursok
).
Network Seven describe Josh as being part of a "high-society family" and initially being "about as laid-back as they come". Josh likes "learning and broadening his mind" and has a passion for surfing. Josh's "tall, dark and handsome" appearance has made him popular with the female characters. The also said that Summer Bay lifestyle suited Josh in his early appearances.
Collopy was written out of the serial when Josh is murdered in a whodunit
storyline. It was later revealed that Barry Hyde (Ivar Kants
) shot Josh by accident.
and begins hanging around with Kirsty Sutherland (Christie Hayes
) who lets him and his friends come back to her home at the Summer Bay caravan park and have a party while her parents Rhys
(Michael Beckley
) and Shelley
(Paula Forrest
) are away. They wreck the house and scramble to put it back in order before Rhys and Shelley return. When Rhys sits on a chair and falls through, he throws Josh and his friends out.
Josh then sets his sights on Kirsty's sister, Dani who rejects his advances at first but they later began dating. Josh quickly finds employment as a lifeguard at the Surf Club, taking over from Vinnie Patterson
(Ryan Kwanten
), who has recently taken paternity leave. This arrangement becomes permanent when Vinnie is sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for fraud
after being framed by his father, Ralph (Alan Cinis). After Josh receives his HSC results, he isn't phased despite scoringly high. He reluctantly agrees to attend University in the City as per his wealthy parents' wishes but decides to return to the Bay and continue being a lifeguard. Josh settles into the bay and begins befriending several local teens Brodie Hanson
(Susie Rugg
), Noah Lawson
(Beau Brady
) and Hayley Smith
(Bec Hewitt
).
When Josh wants to take his relationship with Dani a step further, she is reluctant as she was raped the previous year by Kane Phillips
(Sam Atwell
). Kane's presence in the bay angers Josh, which puts a strain on their relationship. Josh also becomes privy to the fact that Kane is dating Kirsty. After a difficult time, Josh and Dani finally become intimate on the beach one night. Dani later moves in with Josh, Noah and Hayley to an apartment the four dub "The Palace". Josh's mother, Jackie (Julieanne Newbould
), arrives in the bay and she pens an article that could potentially ruin local doctor and counsellor Flynn Saunders
(Martin Dingle-Wall
). Josh manages to talk her out of writing the article, and Flynn's reputation is saved. Josh faces his biggest test as a lifeguard when local doctor Charlotte Adams
(Stephanie Jacobsen) goes for a final swim before leaving to work in an orphanage in Vietnam
. Charlotte nearly drowns but is resuscitated by Josh. Unfortunately, Charlotte in hospital dies of complications a week later and Josh blames himself and decides to change career track. When Josh shares a kiss with Hayley, shortly after his breakup with Dani. Noah is incensed with rage and Josh moves out of the palace and into the flat above the Diner. Josh and Hayley date for a while but Alf Stewart
(Ray Meagher
), who is suffering a brain tumour, sees visions of an unhappy future for the couple. Hayley eventually breaks up with Josh.
After being one of many suspects in the frame for the murder of Angie Russell
(Laurie Foell
), Josh discovers his father, Greg (Dane Carson) is ill and leaves to take over his business. Later in the year Josh makes several sporadic returns, including making plans to destroy and develop the drop in centre, destroying Colleen Smart
's (Lyn Collingwood
) mobile home, firing Jesse McGregor
(Ben Unwin
) from the Surf Club Gym. During one of Josh's visits, he learns Dani is to stand trial after running Kane down with her car and Josh is later subpeonaed to be a witness for the prosecution. He and leans on Kirsty to sell her story about her romance with Kane to him so he can have it published in Jackie's paper. He causes further irritation when he tries to manipulate Tasha Andrews (Isabel Lucas
). Eventually, Josh leaves town and nothing is heard of him for two years.
In 2005, Josh returns to town and runs for Mayor which doesn't sit well with Alf, who is also running. Josh later wins the election and proceeds with project 56, with which he enlisted the help of Amanda Vale
(Holly Brisley
). Alf's sister, Morag Bellingham
(Cornelia Frances
) is keen bring Josh down and a battle soon ensues. Josh continues to do illegal dealings including taking backhanders from local cult The Believers. In early 2006, Josh is shot dead in his office and numerous Summer Bay residents are under suspicion as a lot of people had axes to grind with him. Robbie Hunter
(Jason Smith
) initially confesses when Tasha, now his wife is facing jail. However, Robbie's confession is dismissed. It later is revealed to viewers via confession from Barry to Morag, and shown in flashbacks, that he had killed Josh in a struggle after Josh had found an incriminating file belonging to Barry, which contained information of his wife's murder. Josh reached for the gun to deter him, but ended up getting shot in the struggle.
in 2003. Micheal Idato of the said that Josh was the "new hottie" in Summer Bay and credited Josh's on-screen romance as transforming Collopy into the "No 1. TV Week coverboy". Channel 5 said that Josh was a "good boy gone bad" and was not short of enemies. They opined that using Amanda to scam Graham was a memorable storyline and said that his murder was karma.
Seven Network
The Seven Network is an Australian television network owned by Seven West Media Limited. It dates back to 4 November 1956, when the first stations on the VHF7 frequency were established in Melbourne and Sydney.It is currently the second largest network in the country in terms of population reach...
soap opera Home and Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
, played by Daniel Collopy
Daniel Collopy
Daniel Collopy is an Australian actor. His first television role was the character of Sean Edwards in the long-running Australian soap Neighbours. Following this Collopy was offered a regular role in another long-running Australian soap Home and Away where he played Josh West from 2001 until 2003...
. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 21 November 2001. The character departed in 2003, but made several reappearances later that year. He returned in a semi-regular stint in late 2005, which lasted until his death in 2006.
Character development
In 2001, actor Daniel CollopyDaniel Collopy
Daniel Collopy is an Australian actor. His first television role was the character of Sean Edwards in the long-running Australian soap Neighbours. Following this Collopy was offered a regular role in another long-running Australian soap Home and Away where he played Josh West from 2001 until 2003...
successfully auditioned for the role of Josh and moved from Melbourne to Sydney to begin filming. Josh was introduced as the serial new trainee lifeguard and a potential new love interest for established character Dani Sutherland (Tammin Sursok
Tammin Sursok
Tammin Pamela Sursok is an Australian actress and musician of South African origin. She is best known for the role of Dani Sutherland on Home and Away, as Colleen Carlton on The Young and the Restless and as Siena in Disney Channel's Hannah Montana...
).
Network Seven describe Josh as being part of a "high-society family" and initially being "about as laid-back as they come". Josh likes "learning and broadening his mind" and has a passion for surfing. Josh's "tall, dark and handsome" appearance has made him popular with the female characters. The also said that Summer Bay lifestyle suited Josh in his early appearances.
Collopy was written out of the serial when Josh is murdered in a whodunit
Whodunit
A whodunit or whodunnit is a complex, plot-driven variety of the detective story in which the puzzle is the main feature of interest. The reader or viewer is provided with clues from which the identity of the perpetrator of the crime may be deduced before the solution is revealed in the final...
storyline. It was later revealed that Barry Hyde (Ivar Kants
Ivar Kants
Ivar Kants is an Australian actor who played the role of Ken Garrett in soap opera The Restless Years. Later roles include School Principal Barry Hyde in Home And Away...
) shot Josh by accident.
Storylines
Josh arrives in Summer Bay in late 2001 while on SchooliesSchoolies week
Schoolies or schoolies week refers to the Australian tradition of high-school graduates having week-long holidays following the end of their final exams in late November and early December."Toolies" refers to older revelers who participate in Schoolies week but are...
and begins hanging around with Kirsty Sutherland (Christie Hayes
Christie Hayes
Christie Lynne Hayes is an Australian actress, best known for her work on the television series Home and Away as Kirsty Phillips who she played from June 2000 to February 2005 and again from May 2008 to October 2009. Hayes is the sister of actress Katherine Hayes.-Personal life:Hayes is the...
) who lets him and his friends come back to her home at the Summer Bay caravan park and have a party while her parents Rhys
Rhys Sutherland
Rhys Sutherland is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, portrayed by actor Michael Beckley from 2000 to late 2004....
(Michael Beckley
Michael Beckley
Michael Beckley is an Australian actor. He played Rhys Sutherland in the Australian television soap opera Home and Away. He has also appeared in Water Rats, Farscape and A Country Practice. He appeared in Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre in London as Ernst Ludwig and as part of the Mamma Mia...
) and Shelley
Shelley Sutherland
Michelle "Shelley" Sutherland is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, portrayed by actress Paula Forrest from 2000-2002, 2003, 2004, 2009....
(Paula Forrest
Paula Forrest
Paula Forrest is an Australian actress, best known for playing the role of Shelley Sutherland on the long-running Australian soap opera Home and Away...
) are away. They wreck the house and scramble to put it back in order before Rhys and Shelley return. When Rhys sits on a chair and falls through, he throws Josh and his friends out.
Josh then sets his sights on Kirsty's sister, Dani who rejects his advances at first but they later began dating. Josh quickly finds employment as a lifeguard at the Surf Club, taking over from Vinnie Patterson
Vinnie Patterson
Vincent 'Vinnie' Patterson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away. He made his first on-screen appearence on 14 July 1997 and departed on 1 March 2002...
(Ryan Kwanten
Ryan Kwanten
Ryan Christian Kwanten is an Australian actor. He played Vinnie Patterson from 1997 to 2002 on the Australian soap-opera Home and Away...
), who has recently taken paternity leave. This arrangement becomes permanent when Vinnie is sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for fraud
Fraud
In criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
after being framed by his father, Ralph (Alan Cinis). After Josh receives his HSC results, he isn't phased despite scoringly high. He reluctantly agrees to attend University in the City as per his wealthy parents' wishes but decides to return to the Bay and continue being a lifeguard. Josh settles into the bay and begins befriending several local teens Brodie Hanson
Brodie Hanson
Brodie Hanson was a fictional character in the Australian soap opera Home and Away. The character was portrayed by actress Susie Rugg between 2000 and 2002 before returning for a short stint in 2004....
(Susie Rugg
Susie Rugg
Susie Rugg is an Australian actress best known for her role as Brodie Hanson in the TV series Home And Away.Susie was born and raised in Sydney, Australia.-Television:* Fallers .... as Nic* The Surgeon .... as Cathy Handel...
), Noah Lawson
Noah Lawson
Noah Lawson is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Beau Brady. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 6 September 2000.-Characterization:...
(Beau Brady
Beau Brady
Beau Brady is an Australian actor, best known for his role as Noah Lawson on the drama Home and Away.-Biography:Brady was educated at Oakhill College in Castle Hill, Sydney....
) and Hayley Smith
Hayley Smith (Home and Away)
Hayley Rose Hunter is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away. She was portrayed from September 1998 to September 2005 by actress Bec Cartwright and from September to November 2005 by Ella Scott Lynch, after Cartwright left the show for personal...
(Bec Hewitt
Bec Hewitt
Rebecca June "Bec" Hewitt is an Australian actress and singer. From 1998 to 2005, Hewitt played Hayley Smith Lawson on the soap opera Home and Away. As Bec Cartwright, Hewitt released an eponymous pop music album in 2002...
).
When Josh wants to take his relationship with Dani a step further, she is reluctant as she was raped the previous year by Kane Phillips
Kane Phillips
Kane Phillips is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Sam Atwell in 2001 and 2002, as a regular cast member from 2003 to 2005 and on a recurring basis again from 2008–2009-2001-05:...
(Sam Atwell
Sam Atwell
Samuel Atwell is an Australian television and movie actor perhaps best known for his role as Kane Phillips in the soap opera Home and Away. Born in Nambour, Queensland, he and his family lived in Indonesia for 6 years before returning to Queensland where he grew up in Brisbane...
). Kane's presence in the bay angers Josh, which puts a strain on their relationship. Josh also becomes privy to the fact that Kane is dating Kirsty. After a difficult time, Josh and Dani finally become intimate on the beach one night. Dani later moves in with Josh, Noah and Hayley to an apartment the four dub "The Palace". Josh's mother, Jackie (Julieanne Newbould
Julieanne Newbould
Julieanne Newbould is an Australian actress who first came to prominence in the 1970s.She was a popular original cast member in soap opera The Restless Years. The series started in late 1977; Newbould left the series in early 1979. She later played two roles in Prisoner. She appeared first in 1982...
), arrives in the bay and she pens an article that could potentially ruin local doctor and counsellor Flynn Saunders
Flynn Saunders
Dr Flynn Saunders is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Joel McIlroy. The character was originally played by Martin Dingle-Wall from 2001 until 2002. He made his first on-screen appearance on 13 July 2001....
(Martin Dingle-Wall
Martin Dingle-Wall
Martin Dingle-Wall is an Australian actor, best known for being the first to play the role of Flynn Saunders on the Australian soap opera Home and Away in 2002...
). Josh manages to talk her out of writing the article, and Flynn's reputation is saved. Josh faces his biggest test as a lifeguard when local doctor Charlotte Adams
Charlotte Adams (Home and Away)
Charlotte Elizabeth Adams is a fictional character in the Australian soap opera Home and Away, portrayed by actress Stephanie Chaves-Jacobsen. She first appeared during th episode airing on 10 September 2001 and departed following her death on 3 September 2002.-Storylines:Charlotte is first seen as...
(Stephanie Jacobsen) goes for a final swim before leaving to work in an orphanage in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. Charlotte nearly drowns but is resuscitated by Josh. Unfortunately, Charlotte in hospital dies of complications a week later and Josh blames himself and decides to change career track. When Josh shares a kiss with Hayley, shortly after his breakup with Dani. Noah is incensed with rage and Josh moves out of the palace and into the flat above the Diner. Josh and Hayley date for a while but Alf Stewart
Alf Stewart
Alfred Douglas "Alf" Stewart is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Ray Meagher. The character debuted on-screen during the serial's pilot episode on 17 January 1988...
(Ray Meagher
Ray Meagher
Ray Meagher surname pronouned "Marr" , is a veteran Australian character actor. He has appeared regularly in Australian film and television since the mid 1970s, and is notable as the longest continuing performer in an Australian television role, as Alf Stewart on Home and Away, having played the...
), who is suffering a brain tumour, sees visions of an unhappy future for the couple. Hayley eventually breaks up with Josh.
After being one of many suspects in the frame for the murder of Angie Russell
Angie Russell
Angela "Angie" Russell was a fictional character on the Australian soap opera Home and Away, portrayed by Laurie Foell from 2002 until the character's death in 2003.Angie subsequently appeared as a ghost in her daughter Tasha's dreams....
(Laurie Foell
Laurie Foell
Laurie Foell is an Australian actress. She is best known for her portrayal of both Angela "Angie" Russell and her cousin Josie, on the successful Australian television soap opera Home and Away. Foell also starred as Dr...
), Josh discovers his father, Greg (Dane Carson) is ill and leaves to take over his business. Later in the year Josh makes several sporadic returns, including making plans to destroy and develop the drop in centre, destroying Colleen Smart
Colleen Smart
Colleen Smart is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Lyn Collingwood. The character debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 7 March 1988. She was introduced as a recurring character by producer Alan Bateman. She served as comic relief...
's (Lyn Collingwood
Lyn Collingwood
Lyn Collingwood is an Australian actress. Collingwood was cast as Colleen Smart on Home and Away and was recurring character in 1988–1989, and returned in 1997 for one episode and then returned in 1999 as regular character....
) mobile home, firing Jesse McGregor
Jesse McGregor
Jesse McGregor is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away. The character was played by actor Ben Unwin between 1996 and 2000 and again between 2002 and 2005.-1996-2000:...
(Ben Unwin
Ben Unwin
Ben Unwin is an Australian actor. He is best known for portraying the character Jesse McGregor on the Australian soap opera Home and Away from 1996 to 2000 and 2002 to 2005....
) from the Surf Club Gym. During one of Josh's visits, he learns Dani is to stand trial after running Kane down with her car and Josh is later subpeonaed to be a witness for the prosecution. He and leans on Kirsty to sell her story about her romance with Kane to him so he can have it published in Jackie's paper. He causes further irritation when he tries to manipulate Tasha Andrews (Isabel Lucas
Isabel Lucas
Isabel Lucas is an Australian actress and model perhaps best known for her role as Tasha Andrews on the Australian television soap opera Home and Away...
). Eventually, Josh leaves town and nothing is heard of him for two years.
In 2005, Josh returns to town and runs for Mayor which doesn't sit well with Alf, who is also running. Josh later wins the election and proceeds with project 56, with which he enlisted the help of Amanda Vale
Amanda Vale
Amanda Baker , is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Holly Brisley. She made her first on-screen appearance on 30 June 2005 and departed in 2007. The character returned for a brief guest appearances in 2008 and 2009.-Casting:Brisley reprised her role of...
(Holly Brisley
Holly Brisley
Holly Brisley is an Australian actress and television presenter. She began her career at the age of 15 on Agro's Cartoon Connection and more recently portrayed Amanda Vale-Baker on Home And Away...
). Alf's sister, Morag Bellingham
Morag Bellingham
Morag Bellingham is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Cornelia Frances. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 17 June 1988. She appeared until 1989 and briefly appeared in 1993. She returned yearly from 2001 until 2009 and...
(Cornelia Frances
Cornelia Frances
Cornelia Frances is a British-born actress based in Australia since the early 1970s. Frances is best known for her recurring role as judge Morag Bellingham on Home and Away.-Early life and personal life:...
) is keen bring Josh down and a battle soon ensues. Josh continues to do illegal dealings including taking backhanders from local cult The Believers. In early 2006, Josh is shot dead in his office and numerous Summer Bay residents are under suspicion as a lot of people had axes to grind with him. Robbie Hunter
Robbie Hunter (Home and Away)
Robert George "Robbie" Hunter is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Jason Smith. He made his first on screen appearance on 25 November 2003 and departed on 10 October 2006...
(Jason Smith
Jason Smith (actor)
Jason Smith is an Australian actor and singer, best known for his roles in Home and Away and Power Rangers: Jungle Fury.-Career:...
) initially confesses when Tasha, now his wife is facing jail. However, Robbie's confession is dismissed. It later is revealed to viewers via confession from Barry to Morag, and shown in flashbacks, that he had killed Josh in a struggle after Josh had found an incriminating file belonging to Barry, which contained information of his wife's murder. Josh reached for the gun to deter him, but ended up getting shot in the struggle.
Reception
For his portrayal of Josh, Collopy was nominated for the "Most Popular New Male Talent" Logie AwardLogie Award
The TV Week Logie Awards are the Australian television industry awards, which have been presented annually since 1959. Renamed by Graham Kennedy in 1960 after he won the first 'Star Of The Year' award, the name 'Logie' awards honours John Logie Baird, a Scotsman who invented the television as a...
in 2003. Micheal Idato of the said that Josh was the "new hottie" in Summer Bay and credited Josh's on-screen romance as transforming Collopy into the "No 1. TV Week coverboy". Channel 5 said that Josh was a "good boy gone bad" and was not short of enemies. They opined that using Amanda to scam Graham was a memorable storyline and said that his murder was karma.
External links
- Character profile at the Official AU Home and Away website
- Character profile at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...