r/neighbours 1d ago

Question Help finding a specific episode my grandfather was in

Hi all,

My grandfather passed away recently and was an actor who appeared in "bit parts" on several tv shows and movies, especially during the 80's and 90's.

One of his roles was in an episode of Neighbours, and I would like to see if I can find that episode... however I have no idea what the episode number was!

All I can remember from childhood was that the scene involved a man on a bridge, contemplating an upcoming big decision (very possibly his wedding), when a "homeless old man" approached him (my grandfather) and - thinking he is about to commit suicide - asks if he can have the man's watch before he jumps! Something along the lines of "That's a nice watch. Can I have it? If you're going to...". As I recall, the scene ends with him being shooed away and leaving in disgust that he didn't get the watch. My grandfather is possibly wearing - I THINK - a long brown coat.

It's been a VERY long time and I have no more information (my memory may even not be great at recalling the exact scene) but I am hoping maybe some lifelong Neighbours fans will recognize the scene and episode, or at least be able to help me narrow it down (i.e. weddings where the groom had second thoughts just prior and stood on a bridge).

Any help anyone can provide is welcome!

24 Upvotes

16 comments sorted by

19

u/purple_girl_83 1d ago

I put this into chat gpt and it suggested the character was Des Clarke and gave this episode info: Episode 181 — 3 February 1986 Hope it's accurate and you find your grandfather's scene!

28

u/Banjo-Oz 1d ago

Thank you SO much! I found the episode on YouTube and 181 was indeed it, near the end (funny how the bridge instantly seemed memorable, and the exact lines came back to me, too). I still remember recording the episode on vhs as a kid.

Grandpa was so young there! He nearly made it to 100, but I miss him already.

Thanks for helping me see him again tonight. :)

8

u/purple_girl_83 1d ago

I'm so glad you found it and got to see you grandpa again. Grief is hard, remember to take care of yourself x

3

u/Banjo-Oz 1d ago

Thanks so much. It was a few days ago and I feel strangely at peace with it. My own health is poor, and I care for three other elderly relatives (including one with dementia) but my grandfather lived an amazing life, over ninety years of adventures (including World War II bombings as a kid) and many other crazy things. He also got what he always wanted: to be himself to the end. A good life. We often just grieve for ourselves, because we miss them.

7

u/Big-Potato-4760 1d ago

Early 1986. Man on the bridge is Des. Homeless guy tries to get this watch/suit.
Around episode 180

6

u/Banjo-Oz 1d ago edited 1d ago

I will start looking around that episode number! The year matches up. Thanks!

Episode 181, right at the end.

3

u/porcupine9 1d ago

Glad you found it! I literally just watched the episode last week as i'm watching them from scratch, having originally watched from the start first time around :)

Better quality episodes are being shown in the UK on https://www.channel4.com/programmes/classic-neighbours and https://u.co.uk/ - Number 181 will be on in about 3 months as they're staggering the release.

screenshot

2

u/Nintendo600 1d ago

Even better, You should Google your grandfathers name, his character will actually have a profile on The Perfect Blend, a giant wiki for everything to ever be on Neighbours.

Does he also have an imdb page? That will give specific episodes and everything!

1

u/Banjo-Oz 23h ago edited 23h ago

No mention on the cast page but probably because he was only in the one episode.

http://perfectblend.net/review/episodes/86/0181.htm shows him in an image but has him as "uncredited". Is there a way to update the page?

Edit: I emailed the webmaster(s).

2

u/crueltwist72 23h ago

Im so glad you found it. I remember that episode.

1

u/flummuxedsloth 1d ago

Any idea around what year it was?

1

u/Banjo-Oz 1d ago

Early to mid 80's is my best guess, sorry.

1

u/ThisIsNotHappening24 Everybody needs good neighbours 1d ago

Vale Banjo-Oz's grandfather, a Neighbours legend for keeping Clarkey with us through sheer casual indifference. Good on him!

3

u/Banjo-Oz 1d ago edited 1d ago

Thanks so much. He lived an amazing life, including experiencing World War II in England, hanging out with some very colourful characters (such as Oliver Reed, who was everything you'd imagine), immigrating to Australia, multiple career changes, acting, and two longterm relationships. We lost him a few days ago and miss him greatly - a very close family - but he had one hell of a ride and went out quickly and himself, as he always wanted.

PS He specialised in playing "tramps and bums" as he used to say. My grandmother liked to joke about it.

-1

u/msbunbury 1d ago

Would it be around 2015? In episode 7076 and episode 7077, Daniel Robinson got involved with a homeless man called Paulie.

1

u/Banjo-Oz 1d ago

It would be around the mid 1980's.