Alan Fletcher has been Neighbours’ Dr Karl Kennedy for 24 years… and won’t rule out another 24
WE roll the dice with Neighbours’ Dr Karl Kennedy, 60, and chat Kylie and Jason, his TV marriage to Susan and why he’s not going anywhere.
Where: Alan’s publicist’s office, London.
Hi, Alan! Other than Monopoly, obvs, what else do you like about Great Britain?
British indie music – Kaiser Chiefs, Razorlight, The Fratellis, The Wombats, The Kooks and The Beatles, of course. And Elvis Costello remains my favourite artist.
You must get recognised a lot over here – what do people say to you?
There’s a lot of: “I wish Karl and Susan were my mum and dad.” Or: “You’re a scallywag, how could you do that to Susan?”
How does it feel to have been in Neighbours for almost 24 years?
It’s incredible. It makes me feel wonderful. To have a full-time job for that amount of time in a really enjoyable acting role is as rare as hens’ teeth.
And Jackie Woodburne (who plays Karl’s wife Susan) has been there with you throughout…
Yes, but I love boasting that I was there for a week before her. I started on location with Jesse Spencer [who played his son Billy] because we bought the house the week before the family moved in.
Karl and Susan have had their ups and downs on the show. How’s your RL relationship with Jackie?
Back in 1981, Jackie came on to a show called Cop Shop to play my sister and we just had the best possible time. I adored her and we became great friends – I think she’s one of the best actresses I’ve ever worked with. When I found out she was cast as Susan Kennedy, I was ecstatic beyond belief. Right from day one, we’ve enjoyed this brilliant, supportive friendship on the show.
When was Neighbours’ golden era?
A lot of people think the ’80s were the golden years, because that’s when a lot of Brits used to watch and there was Kylie and Jason [AKA Scott and Charlene], and the wedding. People think nostalgically and fondly about them. But I think over time it’ll start to age so much and new eras will replace it. For me, the golden years are actually the more recent ones, where not only has the scripting become a lot tighter and the storylines more inventive, but also millions and millions of dollars have been spent on what the show looks like, with new cameras and new systems.
You’re in a band called Waiting Room and you’re also a keen photographer – do you ever think about leaving the show?
Yeah, every now and again you have a flash and think: “What would I do?” But the arrangement I have with Neighbours lets me take a fair bit of time off these days. My wife [Jennifer Hansen, a radio presenter] and I are coming into our golden years, our children [Veronica, 22, and Tom, 20] are grown-up and we want to spend as much time together as we can.
Can you see yourself still being on Neighbours in another 24 years’ time?
I suppose it’s possible I’ll still be around at 84! In Neighbours, the scenes will be going on and I’ll be sitting in the corner of Harold’s cafe in a wheelchair with a little tartan blanket.
MOST READ IN FABULOUS
BTW
- Alan’s family think he’s very competitive at board games – he disagrees
- He loves Hertfordshire, and would like a house in St Albans
- He’s met 10,000 Neighbours fans on official tours of the set
– Watch Neighbours Monday-Friday, Channel 5, 1.45pm and 5.30pm.
Photography: Michael Leckie, Rex Features