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Reference > Erinsborough News > Richard’s Quit Neighbours For Nothing

Richard Grieve’s West End dreams have been shattered

Richard Grieve, Neighbours’ heartthrob, thought that everything was going his way when he quit his role as Sam Kratz in order to play the lead in the West End musical Grease.

He was due to finish filming his final scenes in Ramsay Street, when his agent delivered the bad news that his application for a British work visa had just been turned down. This isn’t a one-off though – British actors’ union Equity has been cracking down on other actors from Down Under, as well. Their aim, apparently, is to ensure that British actors are not overlooked.

“I was aware that there could be difficulties,” says Richard. “I’m trying to look on the bright side.” Though the talented actor insists he was ready to leave Neighbours anyway, insiders believe he would have stayed on if he hadn’t thought a better opportunity was waiting. But there’s no return for Richard now as scriptwriters have sent Sam off into the sunset.

Richard is hoping to secure stage work in Australia. “I love singing and dancing,” he says. “I’d love to do musical theatre over here.”

He’s also keen to work behind the scenes as a producer, and has made his own short film, The Haymaker. His departure is expected to strike quite a blow to the show, which has also recently lost Tom Oliver, Peta Brady and Brett Blewitt.

This article originally appeared in Inside Soap magazine dated June 1996

Article submitted by Steve