Clive Gibbons
Encyclopedia
Clive Archibald Gibbons is a fictional character
from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
, played by Geoff Paine. Paine was spotted by the Reg Grundy Organisation
and offered the role of Clive. He made his first appearance on 22 January 1986. Clive's storylines included running a gorillagram agency, setting up a gardening business, saving Lucy Robinson
's life and falling in love with Susan Cole
. Paine decided not to renew his contract and he departed Neighbours on 27 February 1987. In 1989, Paine and Clive made a brief return, before departing once again in October of that year.
, they asked him to come in for a screen test and offered him the role of Clive. Paine almost turned down the role as he looked down on acting in a soap. He said "I suppose at the time I was a bit too idealistic about the world of acting. Playing a messenger in a gorilla suit might not be King Lear, but at least it pays the rent."
After more than a year, Paine decided not to renew his contract after fearing that he may be typecast. He left in 1987 and he said "I don't regret leaving Neighbours at all. I think it's terrific the way the show's taken off, but I'm very pleased with the direction I've taken." Paine later made a brief return to the show in 1989.
) was based. Clive gave up medicine to start up a series of wacky businesses. Clive's gorillagram agency outrages some of neighbours, particulary Max Ramsay
(Francis Bell
).
(Elaine Smith
) to move into his spare room when her engagement to Des Clarke
(Paul Keane
) falls apart. They are briefly joined there by Daphne's best friend, Zoe Davis
(Ally Fowler) and then by Mike Young
(Guy Pearce
). As well as running his gorillagram business, Clive teamed up with Shane Ramsay
(Peter O'Brien) to form a gardening business called Ramsay and Gibbons Gardening Service or RAGGS. Clive's real profession is revealed when he saves Lucy Robinson
's (Kylie Flinker) life after she is stung by a bee and cannot breathe. Clive performs a Tracheotomy on Lucy on the Robinson's kitchen table and saves her life. Clive tells his neighbours that he is a doctor, but he quit medicine when he made a mistake, which led to the death of his girlfriend, Linda.
Clive's brother, Graham (Peter Harvey-Wright), a GP visits with his wife, Kate (Jenny Seedsman) and daughter Vicki (Charmaine Gorman). Clive realises that Graham would badger him about returning to medicine and he tells him about Linda's death. Graham continues to badger Clive until he agrees to become a doctor again. Graham and his family leave after a robber threatens them. Clive befriends Susan Cole
(Gloria Ajenstat) and offers her and her son, Sam, a place to live. Clive falls in love with Susan, but she falls for her boss Paul Robinson
(Stefan Dennis
). When his Uncle Ted (Max Meldrum
) comes to visit, Clive asks Susan to pretend to be his wife in order for Clive to say he is a successful family man. Susan agrees, but Ted sees her kissing Paul and confronts Clive. Clive tells Ted the truth.
When Paul rejects her, Susan is comforted by Clive and he tells her that he is in love with her. Susan accepts a marriage proposal from Clive, but as Clive starts planning a wedding, Susan realises that she does not love Clive and she leaves Erinsborough. Clive suffers from depression and takes his anger out on Paul. He eventually bounces back and decides to move into the flat behind his surgery before leaving Erinsborough. Clive makes a brief return and makes friends with Melanie Pearson
(Lucinda Cowden
). He also provides Paul with a shoulder to cry on following the end of his marriage. Clive gets a call from Graham who is injured in an accident and needs someone to run his surgery in the country. Clive then leaves Ramsay Street again for the outback.
asked readers to nominate their twenty favourite obscure characters. Clive was not included in the list, but the BBC announced they had received many suggestions asking him to be included. They said that Clive's "popularity disqualified him" and that he "lacked sufficient obscurity".
The BBC called Clive the "true genius of Neighbours." While Lorna Cooper said Clive was "lovely." Lowculture
said that Clive performing an emergency tracheotomy on Jim Robinson's kitchen table was one of Neighbours great moments. The BBC said Clive's most notable moment was "Performing an emergency operation on the Robinson's kitchen table and saving Lucy."
Daniel Martin of The Guardian
placed Clive's 1986 dream on his list of Favourite Christmas soap moments. Martin said "Not the greatest dream sequence in Neighbours history (that gong has to go to the iconic Bouncer's Dream), but this candy-coated reminder to the grim British contingent of how it should be done is burned onto the brains of twentysomethings nationwide. Doctor Clive – refereeing a boxing match between Mike and Shane for the heart of Plain Jane Superbrain – is knocked out and goes into a bizarre festive dream sequence where the cast were re-imagined as pantomime characters. Clive was Santa, Mike and Shane were Tweedle Dum and Dee, Paul Robinson some nameless panto villain – and Scott and Charlene were in Europe pretending to be pop stars."
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
, played by Geoff Paine. Paine was spotted by the Reg Grundy Organisation
Reg Grundy Organisation
The Reg Grundy Organisation was an Australian television production company founded in 1959 by businessman Reg Grundy . It has since branched out into Europe and the USA. The company first produced game shows, before branching into soap operas in 1973...
and offered the role of Clive. He made his first appearance on 22 January 1986. Clive's storylines included running a gorillagram agency, setting up a gardening business, saving Lucy Robinson
Lucy Robinson
Lucy Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Melissa Bell. She had previously been portrayed by Kylie Flinker and Sasha Close. She was created by producer Reg Watson as one of Neighbours' original characters. Lucy was a prominent figure...
's life and falling in love with Susan Cole
Susan Cole
Susan Cole is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Gloria Ajenstat. She made her first on-screen appearance on 11 August 1986 and departed on 28 January 1987.-Storylines:...
. Paine decided not to renew his contract and he departed Neighbours on 27 February 1987. In 1989, Paine and Clive made a brief return, before departing once again in October of that year.
Casting
The Grundy Organisation discovered Paine while he was performing in a college production at the Victoria Arts CentreThe Arts Centre (Melbourne)
The Victorian Arts Centre is a performing arts centre consisting of a complex of theatres and concert halls in the Melbourne Arts Precinct, located in the inner Melbourne suburb of Southbank in Victoria, Australia....
, they asked him to come in for a screen test and offered him the role of Clive. Paine almost turned down the role as he looked down on acting in a soap. He said "I suppose at the time I was a bit too idealistic about the world of acting. Playing a messenger in a gorilla suit might not be King Lear, but at least it pays the rent."
After more than a year, Paine decided not to renew his contract after fearing that he may be typecast. He left in 1987 and he said "I don't regret leaving Neighbours at all. I think it's terrific the way the show's taken off, but I'm very pleased with the direction I've taken." Paine later made a brief return to the show in 1989.
Characterisation
Clive brings a breath of fresh air to Ramsay Street when he moves in. He is described as "one of life's eccentrics" who takes care of people and lures them into his latest harebrained scheme. He is also described as "Cheerful and slightly wacky." Clive was the "court jester" of Ramsay Street and the model on which the character of Henry Ramsay (Craig McLachlanCraig McLachlan
Craig McLachlan is an Australian actor and singer. He appeared in shows such as Sons and Daughters, Neighbours, Bugs and Home and Away.-Biography:...
) was based. Clive gave up medicine to start up a series of wacky businesses. Clive's gorillagram agency outrages some of neighbours, particulary Max Ramsay
Max Ramsay
Max Ramsay is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours played by Francis Bell. He made his first on-screen appearance in the show's pilot episode on 18 March 1985. Max was the patriarch of the Ramsay family and Ramsay Street is named after his grandfather...
(Francis Bell
Francis Bell (actor)
Francis Bell was a UK-born New Zealand resident actor who achieved international stardom playing the part of original character Max Ramsay in the early years of the popular Australian soap opera, Neighbours. during his career he also acted in Australian serials The Sullivans and Sons and...
).
Storylines
Clive runs a gorillagram agency from Number 22 Ramsay Street, which upsets neighbour Max Ramsay. Clive and Max clash right away, but Clive manages to win over the other residents. Clive invites Daphne LawrenceDaphne Clarke
Daphne Rose Clarke 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...
(Elaine Smith
Elaine Smith (actress)
Elaine Smith found fame as an actress on Australian television.She is best known for her role as Daphne Clarke in the soap opera Neighbours...
) to move into his spare room when her engagement to Des Clarke
Des Clarke (Neighbours)
Desmond Kingsley "Des" Clarke is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Paul Keane. He made his first on screen appearance on 18 March 1985, the show's first episode.-Stroylines:...
(Paul Keane
Paul Keane
Paul Keane is an Australian actor well known for playing Des Clarke in the soap opera Neighbours. Other TV credits include Bliss and Flight Into Hell. He was trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art, graduating in 1983....
) falls apart. They are briefly joined there by Daphne's best friend, Zoe Davis
Zoë Davis
Zoe Davis is a fictional character from the Australia soap opera Neighbours, portrayed by Ally Fowler. She made her first on-screen appearance on 20 January 1986.-Character creation and development:...
(Ally Fowler) and then by Mike Young
Mike Young (Neighbours)
Michael James "Mike" Young is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Guy Pearce. He made his first on-screen appearance on 20 January 1986...
(Guy Pearce
Guy Pearce
Guy Edward Pearce is an English-born Australian actor and musician, known for his roles as Leonard Shelby in Christopher Nolan's Memento, Lieutenant Ed Exley in L.A...
). As well as running his gorillagram business, Clive teamed up with Shane Ramsay
Shane Ramsay
Shane Ramsay is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Peter O'Brien. He made his first appearance on-screen in the first Neighbours episode on 18 March 1985. Shane is the son of Max and Maria Ramsay...
(Peter O'Brien) to form a gardening business called Ramsay and Gibbons Gardening Service or RAGGS. Clive's real profession is revealed when he saves Lucy Robinson
Lucy Robinson
Lucy Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Melissa Bell. She had previously been portrayed by Kylie Flinker and Sasha Close. She was created by producer Reg Watson as one of Neighbours' original characters. Lucy was a prominent figure...
's (Kylie Flinker) life after she is stung by a bee and cannot breathe. Clive performs a Tracheotomy on Lucy on the Robinson's kitchen table and saves her life. Clive tells his neighbours that he is a doctor, but he quit medicine when he made a mistake, which led to the death of his girlfriend, Linda.
Clive's brother, Graham (Peter Harvey-Wright), a GP visits with his wife, Kate (Jenny Seedsman) and daughter Vicki (Charmaine Gorman). Clive realises that Graham would badger him about returning to medicine and he tells him about Linda's death. Graham continues to badger Clive until he agrees to become a doctor again. Graham and his family leave after a robber threatens them. Clive befriends Susan Cole
Susan Cole
Susan Cole is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Gloria Ajenstat. She made her first on-screen appearance on 11 August 1986 and departed on 28 January 1987.-Storylines:...
(Gloria Ajenstat) and offers her and her son, Sam, a place to live. Clive falls in love with Susan, but she falls for her boss Paul Robinson
Paul Robinson (Neighbours)
Paul Stewart Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, a long-running serial drama about social life in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough. He is played by Stefan Dennis. Paul debuted in the serial's first episode in 1985 and appeared on a...
(Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis
Stefan Dennis is an Australian actor, best known for playing the role of Paul Robinson in the soap opera, Neighbours, from its first episode in March 1985 to the present day...
). When his Uncle Ted (Max Meldrum
Max Meldrum
Duncan Max Meldrum was a Scottish born Australian painter. He is known as the founder of Australian Tonalism, a representational style of painting, as well as his portrait work, for which he won the Archibald Prize in 1939 and 1940.-Early Life and Training:Meldrum was born in Edinburgh, Scotland,...
) comes to visit, Clive asks Susan to pretend to be his wife in order for Clive to say he is a successful family man. Susan agrees, but Ted sees her kissing Paul and confronts Clive. Clive tells Ted the truth.
When Paul rejects her, Susan is comforted by Clive and he tells her that he is in love with her. Susan accepts a marriage proposal from Clive, but as Clive starts planning a wedding, Susan realises that she does not love Clive and she leaves Erinsborough. Clive suffers from depression and takes his anger out on Paul. He eventually bounces back and decides to move into the flat behind his surgery before leaving Erinsborough. Clive makes a brief return and makes friends with Melanie Pearson
Melanie Pearson
Melanie Pearson is a fictional character from the Network Ten soap opera Neighbours played by Lucinda Cowden. She made her first appearance on 30 July 1987, and appeared initially from 1987 to 1991 when the character left the soap...
(Lucinda Cowden
Lucinda Cowden
Lucinda Cowden is an Australian actress who played Melanie Pearson in Neighbours from 1987 until 1991, with a cameo appearance in the twentieth anniversary documentary in 2005....
). He also provides Paul with a shoulder to cry on following the end of his marriage. Clive gets a call from Graham who is injured in an accident and needs someone to run his surgery in the country. Clive then leaves Ramsay Street again for the outback.
Reception
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Neighbours, the BBCBBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
asked readers to nominate their twenty favourite obscure characters. Clive was not included in the list, but the BBC announced they had received many suggestions asking him to be included. They said that Clive's "popularity disqualified him" and that he "lacked sufficient obscurity".
The BBC called Clive the "true genius of Neighbours." While Lorna Cooper said Clive was "lovely." Lowculture
Lowculture
lowculture.co.uk is a UK television website founded in January 2003 by Paul Lang, who currently works as the art director of Doctor Who Adventures.-Purpose:...
said that Clive performing an emergency tracheotomy on Jim Robinson's kitchen table was one of Neighbours great moments. The BBC said Clive's most notable moment was "Performing an emergency operation on the Robinson's kitchen table and saving Lucy."
Daniel Martin of The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
placed Clive's 1986 dream on his list of Favourite Christmas soap moments. Martin said "Not the greatest dream sequence in Neighbours history (that gong has to go to the iconic Bouncer's Dream), but this candy-coated reminder to the grim British contingent of how it should be done is burned onto the brains of twentysomethings nationwide. Doctor Clive – refereeing a boxing match between Mike and Shane for the heart of Plain Jane Superbrain – is knocked out and goes into a bizarre festive dream sequence where the cast were re-imagined as pantomime characters. Clive was Santa, Mike and Shane were Tweedle Dum and Dee, Paul Robinson some nameless panto villain – and Scott and Charlene were in Europe pretending to be pop stars."
External links
- Clive Gibbons at the Internet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie DatabaseInternet Movie Database is an online database of information related to movies, television shows, actors, production crew personnel, video games and fictional characters featured in visual entertainment media. It is one of the most popular online entertainment destinations, with over 100 million...