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Interviews > Verity McIntyre

One of several new teenagers to join the Neighbours cast when Erinsborough High merged with West Waratah Tech in 1994, Packo was memorable for her no-nonsense attitude, violin playing and finding herself the subject of a crush from young Billy Kennedy. Here, Verity McIntyre took time out for a quick chat about her Neighbours days...

Can you give us a little background on your career before joining Neighbours?
I was always the main part playing the man in my all girls' school plays.

How did the role of Packo first come about? Was it just a typical audition for you?
It was meant to be a one day gig – but they just kept asking me back.

How would you describe Packo?
She was tough, fun and naughty.

You joined at the same time as several other teen characters, as Erinsborough High merged with a rival school. Did it make things easier for you, not being the only new face on set?
It was a fun time and there were a whole lot of new faces joining the pack.

Who did you most enjoy working with on the show, and why?
Brett Blewitt and Jesse Spencer. They were great mates and really fun. I lived in the same apartment block as Brett Blewitt and Kym Valentine in Melbourne for the year that I was doing Neighbours.

Do you have any particular favourite scenes or stories you remember filming, or any funny stories from your time on set?
I remember filming the scene where Billy had a crush on me and gave me a hand he had crafted in school and we laughed the whole way through the scene. We couldn’t stop laughing because the hand was so ugly.

Are you still in contact with any of your former co-stars?
My best friend is still Renai Caruso (she was on the show for a while) and I keep in touch often with Brett and Jesse.

What have you done since leaving the show?
I am now married with a little girl. I went on to do other Australian tv shows like Ocean Girl, Marshall Law and Blue Heelers. Now I am not acting. I don’t really miss it either.

Do you ever tune into Neighbours today, and if so, what are your thoughts on it? Do you think it has changed?
I don’t have time to watch it. I wouldn’t know who is on it these days. But it’s great to see it’s still going well.

Would you ever consider a return to the show?
No.

Finally, as the show continues its 25th season on Australian screens, what do you think accounts for its enduring success?
Non-stop stories I suppose. That's why people keep watching. They just keep churning out the good old stories.

Interview by Steve. Added on 25th July 2009

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