Gaby Willis
| Gaby Willis | |||||||||||||||||||||
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| Neighbours character | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Rachel Blakely | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Duration | 1991–94, 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 12 August 1991 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | 27 July 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Introduced by |
Don Battye (1991) Ric Pellizerri (2005) |
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| Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation | Fashion designer (1991–92) Barmaid (1992) Secretary (1992–94) Lassiter's Hotel manager (1994–) |
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| Home | Darwin | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Family | Willis |
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| Father | Doug Willis |
| Mother | Pam Willis |
| Brothers |
Adam Willis John Willis Brad Willis |
| Sisters | Cody Willis |
| Sons | Zac Willis |
| Grandfathers |
Bert Willis Seamus Beresford |
| Grandmothers | Moina Beresford |
| Aunts | Faye Hudson |
| First cousins | Cameron Hudson |
Gabrielle "Gaby" Willis is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Rachel Blakely. The shows casting director spotted Blakely on the cover of a magazine and asked her to audition for the role of Gaby. Blakely received the part and she was introduced to the show during a period of roller-coaster ratings. She made her debut screen appearance as Gaby on 12 August 1991. Just over two years later, it was announced Blakely would be leaving Neighbours and she departed on 2 September 1994. Blakely later reprised the role of Gaby to appear in the show's 20th anniversary episode, which was broadcast on 27 July 2005.
Gaby is the eldest daughter of Doug (Terence Donovan) and Pam Willis (Sue Jones). She returns to Erinsborough, after taking a business course in Japan. Gaby has been described as being beautiful, intelligent and the apple of her father's eye. Gaby opens her own fashion boutique, with the help and support from her boyfriend, and later fiancé, Glen Donnelly (Richard Huggett). Gaby and Glen's engagement ends when he flees Erinsborough following an accident. Gaby's business burns down and she becomes a punk to cope with her losses. She also befriends and briefly dates a punk musician. Gaby takes a job as a barmaid, before becoming a secretary at the Robinson Corporation.
Gaby becomes attracted to teacher, Wayne Duncan (Jonathon Sammy-Lee), with whom she shares a real chemistry. However, the couple are mismatched and they often fight. Gaby and Wayne realise their relationship is destructive and they end it. Blakely believed the breakup was Gaby's fault and called for her character to grow up. Gaby takes flying lessons and she falls for her instructor, Jack Flynn (Mark Pennell). Gaby becomes pregnant and Jack refuses to stand by her. Gaby later gives birth to a son, who is named Zac (Jay Callahan). When Gaby has difficultly balancing her career and motherhood, she takes a less stressful job of running a Lassiter's Hotel in Darwin.
Blakely was a successful model when she was spotted by the Neighbours casting director on the front cover of a magazine and invited to audition for the part of Gaby Willis. The casting director thought Blakely would be perfect for the role. The actress was introduced to the cast as Gaby in August 1991, alongside Scott Michaelson who played Gaby's brother, Brad. Of their casting, James Cockington of The Sydney Morning Herald said "Despite some roller-coaster ratings of late, Ten still believes there is life in Ramsay Street and is introducing some new, young residents this week. Rachel Blakely, 23, and Scott Michaelson, 20, conform to the teen hunk/spunk category that has made E Street such a fun place to visit. Gaby and Brad, as they will become better known, appear as a boutique owner and her brother."
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