Daphne Clarke

Daphne Clarke
Elaine Smith as Daphne Clarke
Neighbours character
Portrayed by	Elaine Smith
Created by	Reg Watson
Introduced by	Reg Watson
Duration	1985–87, 1988
First appearance	18 March 1985
Last appearance	25 March 1988
Classification	Former, regular
Profile
Date of death	25 March 1988
Occupation	Stripper Coffee Shop Owner (1986–88)
Family Husband Des Clarke (1986–88) Father Allen Lawrence Mother Tina Bentley Sons Jamie Clarke Grandfathers Harry Henderson

Daphne Rose Clarke (née Lawrence) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Elaine Smith. She made her first on-screen appearance in the serial's first episode on 18 March 1985. Daphne a stripper hired for Des Clarke's bucks party and she moved in him. She and Des fell in love and were later married. Daphne gave birth to a son, Jamie. Smith quit her role in 1987, but she returned the following year to bring closure to her character's storyline. Daphne was involved in a car accident and she died on 25 March 1988.

Casting

Watson originally wanted Rebecca Gibney to play the role of Daphne, but she joined the cast of Zoo Family instead.^[1] Elaine Smith auditioned for a guest role in Neighbours in 1984.^[2] However, her appearance, particularly her short hair, caught the attention of the casting director and Smith was signed up to play Daphne by Jan Russ.^[2][1] Smith said "The casting director had expected me to turn up sporting long, straight hair. In fact, my different look was something he wanted for Daphne and I became one of the five original cast members".^[2]

In 1987, Smith decided to quit Neighbours to pursue other roles.^[3] She said "As an actress, I'm in the business to play a variety of roles. When you're limited to one role it's hard, even though Daphne developed extremely well. There's a desire to get out and do other things."^[3] Daphne's exit storyline saw her leave Erinsborough to attend to her dying father.^[4] In January 1988, it was announced that Smith would be returning to the show, after she and the producers agreed that viewers would not accept Daphne and Des splitting up.^[4] Smith filmed her scenes in February.^[5] Daphne was involved in a car accident, which left her in a coma. The West Australian said this was "allegedly a delaying tactic while Grundy tried to persuade Smith to sign a new contract."^[4] On 25 March 1988, Daphne died and became the first regular character to do so.^[4]

Storylines

Des and Daphne fall in love and get engaged. She had failed to reach the altar a few times but eventually got married. In 1987, she gave birth to a baby boy, Jamie. It was around this time that her father came back into her life and revealed he was dying. Daphne left Ramsay Street in October 1987 to look after her ailing father.

Daphne returned in March 1988 after her father had died but was involved in a horrific car accident that ended up with her in a coma. After a few days, she awoke from the coma and spoke the famous words "I love you too, Clarky". Unfortunately, she suffered cardiac arrest and died.

In 2003, it was revealed that Daphne had left shares for Jamie under the linoleum at Number 28 Ramsay Street, where Karl and Susan Kennedy were currently living which set up a plot arc for Jamie's brief return to the show.

Reception

The BBC said Daphne's most notable moment was "Going into labour with Jamie at a riverside picnic."^[6] Orange UK branded Daphne and Des as one of the most popular couples in the serial's history.^[7]

The Times named Daphne's death as one of their top 15 most memorable Neighbours moments.^[8] They said "Like, was that her in the bed or an actress with a Daphne wig? The romance of Des and Daphne (Mr Ordinary and the ex-stripper) was an early Neighbours classic so we felt this one hard".^[8] In 2007, Australian newspaper the Herald Sun placed Daphne's death at number six on their list of Neighbours Top Ten moments.^[9] They said "When Neighbours was at its peak in 1988, there was no more popular character then Daphne Clarke, played by Elaine Smith. Her soulmate was neighbour Des Clarke, the couple married and were perfectly happy, until Daphne was involved in a car crash on the way back from her father's funeral. She was in a coma for months, but in her last dying moments she managed I love you too, Clarkey, before passing away. Her death was watched by millions of viewers both in Australia and the UK".^[9]

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Mercado, Andrew (2004). Super Aussie soaps: behind the scenes of Australia's best loved TV shows. Pluto Press Australia. p. 202. ISBN 9781864031911. 
2. ^ ^{a b c} Oram, James (1988). Neighbours: behind the scenes. Angus & Robertson. p. 102. ISBN 0-207-16075-9. http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=5k73NAAACAAJ&dq=neighbours+behind+the+scenes&cd=1. Retrieved 19 July 2010. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Kusco, Julie (September 1987). "Why Elaine Smith Is Leaving Neighbours". Woman's Day (ACP Magazines). 
4. ^ ^{a b c d} Richards, Holly (16 August 2010). "Neighbours: Where are they now?". The West Australian (West Australian Newspapers Limited). http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/entertainment/a/-/entertainment/7767267/neighbours-where-are-they-now/. Retrieved 14 January 2011. 
5. ^ Murphy, Nicola (30 January 1988). "Elaine's Coming Back To Neighbours!". TV Week (ACP Magazines). 
6. ^ "Character: Daphne Lawrence-Clarke". BBC. Archived from the original on 3 October 2004. http://replay.web.archive.org/20031003133231/http://www.bbc.co.uk/neighbours/whoswho/characterbiogs/index.shtml?content/_daphneclarke/page1. Retrieved 25 April 2011. 
7. ^ Pattison, Claudia. "Neighbours stars – where are they now?". Orange UK. http://www.orange.co.uk/entertainment/television/pics/2345_2.htm. Retrieved 23 January 2011. 
8. ^ ^{a b} Teeman, Tim and Jackson, James (5 February 2008). "The top 15 most memorable Neighbours moments". The Times (UK: News International). http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article3313498.ece. Retrieved 26 May 2010. 
9. ^ ^{a b} "Your all-time favourite moment". Herald Sun (Australia: The Herald and Weekly Times). 11 July 2007. http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/confidential/your-all-time-favourite-moment/story-e6frf99f-1111113933908. Retrieved 11 June 2010.