Billy Kennedy (Neighbours)

Billy Kennedy
Jesse Spencer as Billy Kennedy (1999)
Neighbours character
Portrayed by	Jesse Spencer
Duration	1994–2000, 2005
First appearance	27 September 1994
Last appearance	27 July 2005
Introduced by	Ian Bradley
Classification	Former; regular
Profile
Occupation	Student at Erinsborough High (1994–1998) Lifeguard (1997) Carpenter (1999–)
Home	Queensland
Family Kennedy Father Karl Kennedy Mother Susan Kennedy Brothers Malcolm Kennedy Zeke Kinski (step) Sisters Libby Kennedy Katya Kinski (step) Rachel Kinski (step) Half-sisters Holly Hoyland Wife Anne Wilkinson Sons Jackson Kennedy Grandfathers Ronald Davies-Smythe Tom Kennedy Grandmothers Molly Kennedy Grace Smith Aunts Carmel Tyler Liz Conway Nephews Ben Kirk Nieces Susannah Kennedy First cousins Darcy Tyler Elly Conway

William "Billy" Kennedy is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jesse Spencer. He made his first appearance on 27 September 1994 arriving in Ramsay Street with his family. He departed on 5 April 2000, but made a small cameo for the show's 20th anniversary episode broadcast on 27 July 2005.

In 1994, the Neighbours storyliners decided to introduce a new "solid" family called the Kennedys. The family, which consisted of five members – a mother, father, two sons and a daughter – moved into Number 28 Ramsay Street. The storyliners felt that they needed to take the show back to its roots, as it seemed that all the houses on the street were populated with misfits and distant relatives.Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne were cast in the roles of parents Karl and Susan, while Benjamin McNair and Kym Valentine were cast as teenagers Malcolm and Libby.Jesse Spencer was cast as Billy, the youngest member of the Kennedys. Spencer originally auditioned for the role of Brett Stark, but was told that he was too young. The following year, he successfully auditioned for the role of Billy.

Billy's first long-term love interest was his school friend Melissa Drenth (Aimee Robertson). Their relationship got off to "a shaky start", especially when Billy's father gave him a hard time about it. Spencer was glad that his character was given a girlfriend, saying "It's about time. At last he's acting his age. Getting a girlfriend should help him become a bit more mature. He's not going to be the naive country boy any longer. There's no doubt Billy's completely smitten." When Melissa mother found a packet of condoms in Melissa's school bag, she called for an end to the relationship. However, she did not know that Billy and Melissa had not yet had sex, as they had had problems finding a suitable place. Billy's brother, Mal, offered the couple the use of his house, but Billy and Melissa were interrupted by Mal's girlfriend, Danni Stark (Eliza Szonert) and Angie Rebecchi (Lesley Baker).