Ben Fitzgerald
| Ben Kirk | |||||||||||||||||||||
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Felix Mallard as Ben Kirk (2016)
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| Neighbours character | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Noah Sutherland (2001–2003) Sean Berends (2004) Blake O'Leary (2007–2010) Felix Mallard (2014–) |
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| Duration | 2001–2004, 2007–2010, 2014– | ||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 14 December 2001 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Stanley Walsh (2001) Ric Pellizzeri (2004, 2007) Jason Herbison (2014) |
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| Spin-off appearances |
Xanthe ♥ Ben (2016) Pipe Up (2016) Summer Stories (2016) |
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| Classification | Current; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Student Garage assistant |
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| Home | 28 Ramsay Street | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Family | Kennedy |
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| Father | Drew Kirk |
| Mother | Libby Kennedy |
| Stepfather | Daniel Fitzgerald |
| Grandfathers |
Karl Kennedy Ron Kirk |
| Grandmothers |
Susan Kennedy Rose Kirk |
| Uncles |
Malcolm Kennedy Billy Kennedy Stuart Kirk Dougal Kirk |
| Aunts |
Sally Kirk Holly Hoyland |
| First cousins | Jackson Kennedy Susannah Kennedy |
| Other relatives |
Carmel Tyler Liz Conway Darcy Tyler Elly Conway Tom Kennedy |
Ben Ian Kirk (also Fitzgerald) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Felix Mallard. The character was previously played by Noah Sutherland, Sean Berends and Blake O'Leary. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 14 December 2001. Ben is the son of Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) and Drew Kirk (Dan Paris). Ben and Libby departed Ramsay Street in 2003, after Libby decided to moved to Shepparton with Darren Stark (Todd MacDonald). The family returned briefly in 2004 and in 2007, they returned permanently. Ben departed Neighbours on 2 September 2010. In March 2014, it was announced that Ben would return with Mallard cast in the role. He made his screen return on 11 June 2014. The character returned again from 23 July 2015 until 16 November before making a permanent return on 31 March 2016, moving in with his grandparents.
In 2001, Libby Kennedy (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 died 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.
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