Ben Fitzgerald

[Perdita]

Susan and Karl are left reeling when Ben confesses to accidentally starting the school fire. The reality of what he's done hits home when Mark arrests him. Ben will have a record until he's 18 and Libby will return from China to take him home to Ballarat. This means his time in Erinsborough is limited, other than returning for court appearances.

Piper's guilt over her mother's burns comes to a head when she learns that Ben has confessed. The pressure of knowing she's also responsible becomes too much. In the face of kindness offered by Lauren, Piper finally purges herself of her guilty secret. A shocked Lauren advises that honesty is the only solution - Piper must tell her parents no matter how difficult it will be.

Piper acknowledges the wisdom of Lauren's advice, but cannot face it and decides to do a runner instead. Ben decides to go with her, unable to face what is in store for him either.

Meanwhile, when Steph learns that Vanessa is passing through that night and staying at the Rebecchis', she wishes she could have the chance to apologise in person for the past. Sonya's attitude to Steph has turned a corner and she offers to ask Vanessa if she'd be happy to talk with Steph. Steph is grateful and then delighted when Vanessa agrees to see her. While she waits, she's rattled by a strange call - can it really be her son Charlie, calling to say he misses her?

[Perdita]

Ben Kirk is back! Neighbours star Felix Mallard returns to set as a regular
Young Neighbours star Felix Mallard has returned to the show's set this week - and he's finally a regular.
The actor has played Ben Kirk on and off since 2014 and had particularly lengthy stints last year, but was also busy with school at the time.
Having now finished Year 12, Mallard is focusing on a full-time acting career and will become a main cast member on Neighbours when he returns to screens in March.
Ben's return will no doubt spark drama for his grandparents Karl and Susan Kennedy (Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne), especially as the locals won't have forgotten that he started the Erinsborough High fire last year.
"Jackie and Alan are always very supportive on set and Alan and I both share a passion for music," Mallard commented.
Mallard is pictured above with fellow newcomer Lilly Van Der Meer, who makes her debut on screen as Sheila Canning's granddaughter Xanthe this week.
Neighbours actress-turned-superstar Margot Robbie once grew up in the same neighbourhood as Van Der Meer, so could this be a good omen for her future career?
Colette Mann, who plays Sheila, joked: "There are times the Cannings could be mistaken as a colourful mob family, but it all comes from the right place! Lilly's world has certainly been opened up since joining Neighbours and we're loving having her here."

[Perdita]

Neighbours teen Ben Kirk finds himself in an impossible position later this month as he clashes bitterly with newcomer Angus Beaumont-Hannay.

Sarah's troublesome son will be moving in with the Kennedys while his mum heads abroad to seek treatment for her cancer, but Angus makes an immediate enemy in the form of his new housemate Ben (Felix Mallard).

Angus (Jai Waetford) starts the war when he stumbles across Ben's stash of stolen money, which belonged to Tom Quill.

Bold as brass, Angus takes the cash for himself and cheekily starts spending it - knowing that Ben can't complain to Karl and Susan without explaining the dodgy situation that he's in.

Although Ben feels powerless, Piper Willis encourages him to stand up to Angus by seizing the money back - but an angry scuffle breaks out when Ben is caught trying to break into his enemy's locker.

Angus catches Ben trying to break into his locker.
© Channel 5

Ben and Angus fight
© Channel 5
Susan (Jackie Woodburne) breaks up the fight, but round two is only moments away when lighting fluid and matches are found in Ben's locker.

Convinced that Angus has set him up, Ben punches him but Susan is appalled by her grandson's violent actions.

Susan steps in and orders Ben to explain himself, but how can he tell her about the stolen money?

Susan breaks up the fight
© Channel 5

Neighbours airs these scenes on Wednesday, May 11 at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5.

Digital Spy

[Perdita]

Neighbours kicks off an exit storyline for Ben Kirk next week as he's given an opportunity to start afresh in Oakey.

Felix Mallard, who plays Ben, finished filming with the Aussie soap late last year and will bow out on screen in March.

Next week's episodes see the build-up to Ben's departure begin when he realises that he's at a loose end, despite his recent reunion with Xanthe Canning.

Ben is missing Tyler Brennan at the garage and is struggling to bond with Mark as his replacement boss. He also feels that he's lacking direction in his life – especially compared with Xanthe, who's full of drive and determination over her future.

Steph Scully (Carla Bonner) soon steps in by suggesting that Ben should pay a visit to his late father's family in Oakey, pointing out that it could provide some much-needed inspiration for him.

Steph kindly accompanies Ben on the trip, but it gets off to a pretty bad start when his uncle Dougal Kirk (Brandon Burns) doesn't seem too pleased to see him.

Once again, it's left to Steph to intervene when she confronts Dougal over his frosty behaviour, forcing him to admit how he finds it difficult talking to Ben because he reminds him so much of Drew.

Later on, Dougal finally strikes up a bond with Ben and even offers him a position at his own garage as his apprentice – leaving Ben with a very difficult decision to make. What does it mean for him and Xanthe?

Since finishing at Neighbours last year, Felix has travelled over to Los Angeles and has been keeping fans posted over his travels on his Instagram account.

So far his adventures have included meeting former Neighbours actress and Hollywood star Margot Robbie, who got her big break playing Donna Freedman on the show between 2008 and 2011.




Neighbours airs these scenes on Wednesday, March 7 at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5.

Digital Spy

[Pantherboy]

Digital Spy article:


Neighbours star Felix Mallard lands a US role after filming Ben Kirk's exit.

He'll play an emerging popstar called Cooper.

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neig...v-comedy-role/

Neighbours star Felix Mallard has landed a lead role in the US in an untitled comedy.

After filming his exit scenes as Ben Kirk on the Australian soap, Mallard will star opposite Damon Wayans Jr in the CBS comedy pilot (via Deadline).

Written by Tim McAuliffe (The Last Man on Earth) and Austen Earl (9JKL), the comedy follows Peter (Wayans) and Claire, a couple who have grown tired of their boring life.

As they attempt to relive their youth, an emerging popstar called Cooper (Mallard) moves in, and is drawn to their suburban existence.

Cooper is described as sweet, charming and positive. He sees the good in everyone and everything, while also being effortlessly cool.

Exec producing are McAuliffe and Earl, alongside The Late Late Show with James Corden executive producer Ben Winston, and Michael Rotenberg and Jonathan Berry.

Mallard finished filming with Neighbours late last year and will bow out on screen in March – and next week's episodes of the Aussie soap see the build-up to Ben's departure begin.

Since finishing at Neighbours last year, Felix has travelled over to Los Angeles and has been keeping fans posted about his travels on his Instagram account.

So far, his adventures have included meeting former Neighbours actress and Hollywood star Margot Robbie, who got her big break playing Donna Freedman on the show between 2008 and 2011.

[Mirjam]

What an underwhelming good bye for Ben, very disappointed how he left yesterday!

[TaintedLove]

I didn`t know Ben was leaving. What a shame, I liked him.
So who will be Xanthe`s next boyfriend? Any guesses? Please don`t let it be Mark Brennan. Any pretty female with a pulse who happens to give Mark the glad eye, he`ll be declaring undying love by the second date. That`s Marks usual MO.

[badirene]

I didn`t know Ben was leaving. What a shame, I liked him.
So who will be Xanthe`s next boyfriend? Any guesses? Please don`t let it be Mark Brennan. Any pretty female with a pulse who happens to give Mark the glad eye, he`ll be declaring undying love by the second date. That`s Marks usual MO.

Next up Mark is in a love square with Sheila, Clive and Xanthe! The Dashing Doctor or the Muscled Mechanic, who will Sheila choose? Watch as one of the gruesome foursome fall into the pond in front of Lassiter's comedy style.