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Reference > Erinsborough News > Neighbours Nuptials

Now it’s Jim’s turn to wed…

Last year in ratings-winning episodes it was his on-screen son Scott (played by Jason Donovan, the 1987 winner of the Best New Talent Logie) who walked down the aisle with Charlene (Silver Logie winner Kylie Minogue).

But get ready for another Neighbours wedding next month when Jim, played by handsome actor Alan Dale, finally gets his girl to the altar.

“It is one of those family affairs – just a nice quiet wedding at home,” Alan says. “For three years Jim has been looking after the kids and going off to work each day. All of a sudden he’s a married man and his life is turned upside down.”

Jim ties the knot with Dr Beverly Marshall, played by Lisa Armytage. “The problem was Dr Beverly had another love interest,” Alan says. “I think Jim was just about ready to give it up but he has finally won out.”

Alan says he was initially taken aback when he read of his character’s impending marriage. “It really did come as a bit of a shock,” he says. But he admits he is really enjoying playing the happy husband. Jim has developed a lot more basic warmth and affection,” he says. “Lisa and I get on well off screen and it has surprised me just how easy it has been adjusting to the change in character.”

While his TV alter ego Jim Robinson is headed for the altar, Alan maintains that an off-screen marriage does not figure in his immediate plans. Alan shares his comfortable Victorian beachside home with his two teenage sons and the special girl in his life, a former Miss Australia, Tracy Pearson.

“Tracy and I are very happy together but, at the moment, we have no intentions of getting married,” he says. “She is very busy building a career and, naturally, I am also constantly on the go. We just live each days as it comes.”

But while they are not making wedding plans, Alan does say: “The Robinson household is a bit like ours. I can’t bear yelling and fighting. I like home to be peaceful and warm.”

His work in Neighbours often takes him away from home for promotional work. “A lot of weekends are taken up either interstate or in the country doing promotions,” Alan says. “The success of the show really does still amaze me.”

But Alan says he sometimes feels sorry for the younger cast members like Jason and Kylie. “They really do work hard. I have nothing but admiration for them,” he says. “They have the most incredible professional attitude.”

Neighbours remains Alan’s top priority. “I’m contracted until August,” he says. “I still love working on the show. It’s local success and its huge popularity in England is great. I can see Neighbours being around for quite a long time yet.”

This article originally appeared in TV Week magazine, dated January 30th 1988, and was written by Amanda Zachariah

Article submitted by Steve