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> Love Thy Neighbour: Helen Daniels
by Moe
If one character defined Neighbours for most of its run, that character was
Helen Daniels. Helen was part of the original Neighbours cast when the show
began in 1985, and was created by Reg Watson to dispel the myth that
mothers-in-law were battle-axe type characters. Kind, caring and
compassionate, Helen was the kind of mother-in-law and grandmother that
anyone would love to have, and this was reflected in the close relationships
she shared with the likes of Jim, Paul, Lucy, Philip and Hannah.
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Played by veteran actress Anne Haddy, who prior to Neighbours had played
housekeeper Rosie Andrews in sister Grundy show Sons and Daughters, Helen
quickly became the matriarch of Ramsay Street. As well as featuring in many
of her own storylines - being conned by charmer Douglas Blake (played by
real-life husband James Condon), having an affair with daughter Rosemary's
fiancee, being kidnapped by a crazy vicar, marrying a bigamist, suffering
two strokes - Helen was regularly a pivotal part of other character's
storylines too. This element was what made her so special. Helen could
always be counted upon to lend a sympathetic ear to her family, friends and
Neighbours in times of trouble - an act that defined what Neighbours was
essentially all about. Few people in the real world would drop into their
elderly neighbour to confess their personal problems. But in Ramsay Street,
this was part of life - and Helen was the greatest symbol of this.
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What was most special about Helen Daniels was her constant presence at the
helm of Ramsay Street for twelve years. Despite successive revamps and an
ever-changing cast, Helen was the one character who could always be counted
upon to stay put. For many years, Helen and Jim jointly presided over events
in Ramsay Street, until Jim's death in 1993. And even after the biggest loss
of characters closest to Helen - Jim, Paul, Lucy, Todd, Madge and Dorothy -
within the space of a year of each other, Helen adapted to their departures
and found herself a whole new set of characters to work with - namely the
Martins (Julie, Philip, Debbie, Michael and Hannah), and also Annalise,
Wayne and Brett. Indeed, the relationship between Helen and Brett deserves a
special mention because it is the perfect example of the uniqueness of
Helen's character. Although she had always been a confidante to her young
grandchildren down through the years, Brett was the first teenage character
who was unrelated to Helen and yet, was a best friend to her. They shared
many of the same outlooks on life and interests, such as the meditation
'Chigun', and Helen even chose Brett to walk her down the aisle when she
married Reuben White (James Condon once again) in 1995.
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Helen also had a wonderful friendship for several years with Madge Bishop,
played by Anne Charleston. Helped enormously no doubt by the close
friendship off-screen between the two Anne's, Helen and Madge had a
wonderful chemistry. Trusted and valued confidantes to each other - despite
the fact that they were actually two quite different women - Helen and
Madge's friendship was one of the longest lasting on Neighbours and an
enduring image of that friendship is each of them in the other's kitchen
sharing a cuppa and a chat.
Off-screen, Anne Haddy was always fiercely loyal to and proud of her role
and the show itself. Despite many bouts of illness during the twelve years
on Neighbours - including a hip replacement operation - Anne was
unflinchingly dedicated to Neighbours and stuck with it for as long as her
health permitted. Indeed, even when she was so ill that she had to be
hurriedly written out of the show for a few months in 1997, Anne proved how
much the character of Helen meant to her by making a point of returning to
the Neighbours studios one final time to record Helen's death. Dying off
screen simply wouldn't have done the character justice after all her years
on the programme and Neighbours fans around the world are especially
grateful to Anne for affording Helen the closure she deserved.
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The episode in which Helen died - Episode 2965 - was aired in Australia in
October 1997 - and in the UK on 1 April 1998. A defining moment for any
Neighbours fan, it was a nostalgic, momentous occasion, and after healing a
time old rift between the Robinson and Ramsay families, Helen peacefully
passed away surrounded by her family and friends. In a tribute to Helen, no
episode credits were featured for the first and only time in the show's
history, and instead, a collection of stills of Helen from her reign on the
show were shown, to the touching, melancholy piano version of the Neighbours
theme tune. An era had well and truly ended.
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Off screen, Anne Haddy fought against her health problems, and proudly
attended the party to mark the 3000th episode of Neighbours shortly
afterwards. Sadly, her health declined once again, and on 6 June 1999, Anne
passed away. Emphasising how strongly associated she still was - and always
would be - with Neighbours, a memorial service was held in the grounds of
the Neighbours studios in Nunawading within days of Anne's death - attended
by her many co-stars throughout the years, including Alan Dale, Anne
Charleston, Ian Smith, Ian Rawlings and Rebecca Ritters - and her devoted
husband, James.
Almost six years on since the on-screen death of Helen, Ramsay Street is a
very different place to what it was in Helen's day. While old friends such
as Harold Bishop and Lou Carpenter are still around, a whole host of new
faces inhabit the street now. Most significant among these new faces are the
Scullys, who moved into Helen's old home of No. 26 Ramsay Street in 1999
after the final remnants of Helen's family - Philip and Hannah - moved away.
Although the Scully family have made No. 26 their home and are a welcome
addition to the Neighbours family now, one can't help think of Helen
whenever the No. 26 set appears on screen, the portrait Helen painted of the
Kennedy children comes into view, or an exterior shot of the 'Robinson'
house precedes a scene. Indeed, even when Lassiter's Lake is shown, it often
brings Helen to mind, since her ashes were scattered across it and, as such,
is her final resting-place. Helen was so long associated with the show, she
is always going to be a part of it. Sadly, there have been no references to
Helen since the episode where the Martins left in 1999. Although it's hard
to feature plausible references given most of the characters in the series
would never have known her, there are still the likes of Harold, Lou, Toadie
and the Kennedys who did know her, and the occasional recollection -
particularly from Harold - would be most welcome. After all, given the
massive impact Helen Daniels had on the series, and Anne Haddy's devoted
personal contribution to the show, it hardly seems right that a nod isn't
given in her direction occasionally.
One thing is certain, her contribution will not be forgotten. Helen - and
Anne Haddy - set the standard as to what a core, long-serving Neighbours
character should be. Enduring, lovable, reliable, and someone who the
viewers can take to their hearts and really care for. Helen Daniels was the
foremost example of this. A true Neighbours legend. Everybody's favourite
Gran.
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