Ned Parker | |||||||||||||||||||
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Neighbours character | |||||||||||||||||||
Portrayed by | Dan O'Connor | ||||||||||||||||||
Duration | 2005–08 | ||||||||||||||||||
First appearance | 9 August 2005 | ||||||||||||||||||
Last appearance | 31 July 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||
Introduced by | Ric Pellizzeri | ||||||||||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||
Profile | |||||||||||||||||||
Occupation | Singer Parking inspector Nanny Personal Trainer Mechanic Football coach |
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Home | Perth | ||||||||||||||||||
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Father | Jim Parker |
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Mother | Kitty Parker |
Brothers | Stuart Parker |
Half-brothers | Steve Parker |
Sons | Mickey Gannon |
Aunts | Raylene Manson |
Nephews | Riley Parker |
Nieces | Bridget Parker |
Other relatives | India Napier |
Ned Parker is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Dan O'Connor. He made his first appearance on screen on 9 August 2005, arriving to see his brother, Stuart. He departed on 31 July 2008.
Following his elimination from the 2004 series of Australian Idol, Daniel O'Connor was asked to join the cast of Neighbours as Ned Parker. O'Connor's agent informed him that someone from Neighbours had called and was interested in him doing an audition for the show. O'Connor had not considered acting and thought the offer to meet with casting director, Jan Russ was "ridiculous". He said "I have no idea why they wanted me, I don't know what it was or what they saw in me. I got to number 11 in Idol, so I didn't even progress to the pointy end of the competition". O'Connor add that Russ could sense he was "freaked out" during the audition and that he had to come back for a second one to perform some emotionally challenging scenes. O'Connor said his first day on the set was one of the most terrifying experiences of his life.
In February 2008, it was announced that O'Connor was to leave Neighbours that year, along with co-stars David Hoflin (Oliver Barnes), Jesse Rosenfeld (Marco Silvani) and Sweeney Young (Riley Parker). It was speculated that the departures were linked to the arrival of Susan Bower, who was appointed executive producer at the end of 2007.
Ned is the younger brother of Stuart (Blair McDonough) and Steve Parker (Steve Bastoni). Ned arrives in Erinsborough to attends Stuart's wedding to Sindi Watts (Marisa Warrington). He later returns to check on Stuart after Sindi is sectioned and sent to a psychiatric hospital. Upon his arrival in Ramsay Street, Ned goes to the wrong house and takes a shower. Janelle Timmins (Nell Feeney) is shocked to see Ned in just a towel and she screams for help, Ned then drops his towel. Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) recognises Ned from the wedding and points him in the direction of Stuart's place. Stuart tells Ned that he doesn't want to discuss his situation with him, but Ned helps Stuart out and decides to stay in Ramsay Street. Ned quickly developed a crush on Isabelle Hoyland (Natalie Bassingthwaighte) and became friends with Elle Robinson (Pippa Black).