Matt Hancock
Encyclopedia
Matthew "Matt" Hancock is a fictional character
from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
, played by Stephen Hunt. He made his first on-screen appearance on 26 March 2001 and departed on 9 May 2002. In 2005, Hunt reprised his role as Matt for the show's 20th anniversary episode.
that he and his co-stars were unhappy about it and he said "It was disappointing for me because I thought there was so much more they could do with my character. But they turned him into the loser of the street." Hunt went to the producers and suggested a new storyline for Matt, where he swims the English Channel. He had seen a similar episode on Home And Away
, but his idea was rejected. Hunt then decided to swim the channel for charity.
In 2005, Hunt became one of many former cast members who reprised their roles for a 20th Anniversary episode of Neighbours.
(Tom Oliver
) is looking for a new barman. Lou is reluctant to hire Matt at first but agrees to give him a trial, which Matt later completes. Soon after, Matt and his family move into Number 32 Ramsay Street after his father Evan
(Nicholas Opolski
) outbids the previous occupants, Dee Bliss (Madeleine West
) and Tess Bell (Krista Vendy
). After learning Dee is only moving next door, Matt tries to impress her by pretending to be older but he unwittingly reveals he is only 19, as he lets slip that he took the VCE
the year previous. Matt becomes friends with Dee's housemate Toadfish Rebecchi
(Ryan Moloney
) and they agree to enter Toadie's dog, Bob in a pet competition.
When Matt begins dating Laura Wallace (Fiona Chen), he quickly pretends he lives alone but he is forced to admit he still lives at home with his father and stepmother, Maggie (Sally Cooper), when his sister, Emily's (Isabella Oldham) toys are visible. Laura then makes a confession; she is a stripper and many of her previous boyfriends had issues with the job. Matt mentions this to his friend and family but they aren't surprised. Matt tries to put on a front that he is comfortable with Laura's job but it becomes evident he is not when he punches an audience member when he attends one of Laura's shows. Laura is fired and she and Matt break up, but keep in touch as friends.
Matt, at Laura's suggestion, becomes an Elvis impersanator due to his resemblance to Elvis Presley
. Matt begins to suffer from stage fright and asks Flick Scully (Holly Valance
) to be his Priscilla
for the shows. After the two share a hug, Matt begins to fall for Flick. After scoring a job at Moco with Flick's older sister Stephanie
(Carla Bonner
), Matt continues the Elvis gig but it is to the detriment of his new job. Steph eventually fires Matt after proving unreliable after one too many times.
When Matt helps Evan and principal Susan Kennedy
(Jackie Woodburne
) chaperon Erinsborough High's Year 12 camping trip, Tad Reeves
(Jonathon Dutton
) smuggles in a bottle of whiskey and shares it with Flick, Paul McClain
(Jansen Spencer
) and Monique Disney (Jacqi Swallow). Matt catches the teens and is persuaded not to tell Susan. Tad later suffers a scorpion bite and is in a critical condition. Matt is forced to admit to Susan that the teens were drinking and is given a dressing down. One night, while stocking the pub cellar, Matt and Flick are trapped inside and nobody can hear them. Flick immediately accuses Matt of planning this and confronts him about his feelings for her. Flick later apologises and tells Matt she likes him only as a friend, and the two put it behind them.
Matt begins spending a lot of time on his new car which he purchased after winning the prize money in a competition. Glen Bushby (Nathaniel Marshall) challenges him to a race but Matt's car stalls. Matt receives a letter demanding he pay $400 within two days or it will be repossessed, so Matt challenges Glen after being taunted and Stuart
(Blair McDonough
) puts down a bet of $500. Matt defeats Glen and is able to meet his payments. Leo (Anthony Hammer
), Matt's younger brother wants in but is told he is too young.
After overhearing a conversation where Toadie confesses his feelings to Maggie, things become strained between the friends. Toadie tries to explain that he knows nothing will come of his feelings but Matt is unwilling to listen. When debt begins to mount, Matt agrees to another drag race, this time for higher stakes – $2,000. At the beginning of the race, Leo jumps into the car with Matt. The brothers seem to be winning but Matt swerves out of control and hits Harold Bishop
(Ian Smith
) who is out speed walking. Both cars crash and the drivers are seriously injured and Harold is left temporarily blind due to detached retinas.
Matt wakes up in hospital and confesses all to Evan and Maggie, and is shortly interviewed by Constable Terri Hall (Robyn Charlesworth) who tells him he will be charged with Reckless driving and potential manslaughter if Glen dies. When the realisation sinks in that he may be going to prison and he sees a priest enter Glen's room, Matt flees hospital and hides in a shack by the beach. Leo, sworn to secrecy, visits Matt who begs him to stay quiet. After Terri follows Leo and tracks Matt down, he is arrested after returning and denied bail for fleeing earlier.
After being eventually bailed at Evan and Maggie's expense, Matt returns home and is confronted by Glen's father, Roger (D.J. Foster), who angrily informs him that Glen may never walk again as a result of his injuries. Evan quickly defends Matt and the tension between father and son over the last few weeks eases slightly. Prior to the Hancocks leaving Ramsay Street after selling their house to fund Matt's legal bills, Matt visits Harold, who has recently arrived home form hospital and apologises for the accident. Harold accepts and forgives Matt. Several months after the Hancocks leave, Joe Scully
(Shane Connor
) reveals that Matt escaped criminal charges.
Matt makes a cameo in Annalise Hartman
's (Kimberly Davies) documentary about Ramsay Street. He explains that the reason he liked Ramsay Street was everything was so laid back and jokingly says Lou's Place was the only place to go and no wonder it was burned down.
to find viewer's favourite Neighbours character. He received 2.34% of the vote. Newsround later called Matt a "heart-throb."
Fictional character
A character is the representation of a person in a narrative work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr , the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its appearance in Tom Jones in 1749. From this, the sense of...
from the Australian soap opera Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
, played by Stephen Hunt. He made his first on-screen appearance on 26 March 2001 and departed on 9 May 2002. In 2005, Hunt reprised his role as Matt for the show's 20th anniversary episode.
Casting
In 2002, the producers decided to write the Hancock family out of the show. Hunt told Inside SoapInside Soap
Inside Soap is a weekly UK magazine, released every Tuesday. It covers current and future storylines in soap operas shown in the United Kingdom....
that he and his co-stars were unhappy about it and he said "It was disappointing for me because I thought there was so much more they could do with my character. But they turned him into the loser of the street." Hunt went to the producers and suggested a new storyline for Matt, where he swims the English Channel. He had seen a similar episode on Home And Away
Home and Away
Home and Away is an Australian soap opera that has been produced in Sydney since July 1987 and is airing on the Seven Network since 17 January 1988. It is the second-longest-running drama and most popular soap opera on Australian television...
, but his idea was rejected. Hunt then decided to swim the channel for charity.
In 2005, Hunt became one of many former cast members who reprised their roles for a 20th Anniversary episode of Neighbours.
Storylines
Matt first appears at Lou's Place, when the landlord Lou CarpenterLou Carpenter
Louis "Lou" Carpenter is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Tom Oliver. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 March 1988. Lou appeared for a brief time, before leaving and later returning in January 1992 as a regular cast member. He is the longest...
(Tom Oliver
Tom Oliver
Tom Oliver is an English television, film and theatre actor best known today for playing the role of Lou Carpenter in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Career:...
) is looking for a new barman. Lou is reluctant to hire Matt at first but agrees to give him a trial, which Matt later completes. Soon after, Matt and his family move into Number 32 Ramsay Street after his father Evan
Evan Hancock
Evan Hancock is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Nicholas Opolski. Evan first appeared in the episode airing on 13 April 2001 originally as a guest and became a member of the regular cast, a week later...
(Nicholas Opolski
Nicholas Opolski
Nicholas Opolski is an Australian actor, who is best known for his role as Evan Hancock on the Australian soap opera Neighbours in 2001–2002. He has also provided the voice of B2, one of the characters in the children's television show Bananas in Pyjamas for the ABC. He also worked as a presenter...
) outbids the previous occupants, Dee Bliss (Madeleine West
Madeleine West
Madeleine West is an Australian actress known for her TV roles, having played Dee Bliss on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 2000–2003 and high-class escort Mel on Satisfaction from 2007 to 2010.-Career:...
) and Tess Bell (Krista Vendy
Krista Vendy
Krista Vendy is an Australian actress who played teacher Teresa "Tess" Bell on the Australian soap opera Neighbours from 1999–2001. She is the cousin of Kristian Schmid, and was managed by Scott Michaelson, both of whom are past Neighbours stars....
). After learning Dee is only moving next door, Matt tries to impress her by pretending to be older but he unwittingly reveals he is only 19, as he lets slip that he took the VCE
VCE
VCE could refer to:* Victorian Certificate of Education, Year 11 and 12 qualification in Victoria, Australia* Vocational Certificate of Education, a Further Education qualification in the United Kingdom...
the year previous. Matt becomes friends with Dee's housemate Toadfish Rebecchi
Toadfish Rebecchi
Jarrod Vincenzo Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Ryan Moloney. He debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 8 February 1995....
(Ryan Moloney
Ryan Moloney
Ryan Moloney is an Australian actor best known for his portrayal of the fictional character Jarrod "Toadfish" Rebecchi in the Australian soap opera Neighbours.-Before Neighbours:...
) and they agree to enter Toadie's dog, Bob in a pet competition.
When Matt begins dating Laura Wallace (Fiona Chen), he quickly pretends he lives alone but he is forced to admit he still lives at home with his father and stepmother, Maggie (Sally Cooper), when his sister, Emily's (Isabella Oldham) toys are visible. Laura then makes a confession; she is a stripper and many of her previous boyfriends had issues with the job. Matt mentions this to his friend and family but they aren't surprised. Matt tries to put on a front that he is comfortable with Laura's job but it becomes evident he is not when he punches an audience member when he attends one of Laura's shows. Laura is fired and she and Matt break up, but keep in touch as friends.
Matt, at Laura's suggestion, becomes an Elvis impersanator due to his resemblance to Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. Matt begins to suffer from stage fright and asks Flick Scully (Holly Valance
Holly Valance
Holly Valance is an Australian actress, singer, and model, who has dual United Kingdom citizenship. Valance began her career as Felicity "Flick" Scully on the Australian soap opera Neighbours...
) to be his Priscilla
Priscilla Presley
Priscilla Presley is an American actress and businesswoman. She is the ex-wife of singer Elvis Presley, and the mother of singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley....
for the shows. After the two share a hug, Matt begins to fall for Flick. After scoring a job at Moco with Flick's older sister Stephanie
Stephanie Scully
Stephanie Jo "Steph" Scully is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Carla Bonner. She made her first on-screen appearance on 21 October 1999. Stephanie is the eldest daughter of Joe and Lyn Scully and the mother to a son, Charlie...
(Carla Bonner
Carla Bonner
Carla Bonner is an Australian actress best known for playing the role of Steph Scully in the soap opera Neighbours, a role she played from 1999 to 2010...
), Matt continues the Elvis gig but it is to the detriment of his new job. Steph eventually fires Matt after proving unreliable after one too many times.
When Matt helps Evan and principal Susan Kennedy
Susan Kennedy
Susan Kennedy , is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Jackie Woodburne. The character and her family were created by storyliners in an attempt to bring the show back to its roots. Susan made her first on-screen appearance on 3 October 1994 along...
(Jackie Woodburne
Jackie Woodburne
Jackie Woodburne is a Northern Irish-born Australian actress.-Personal life:Woodburne was born in Carrickfergus, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Her father was a member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary. She has two older siblings: John and Stephen. At age three she emigrated with her family to...
) chaperon Erinsborough High's Year 12 camping trip, Tad Reeves
Tad Reeves
Wayne Terrance "Tadpole" Reeves is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jonathon Dutton...
(Jonathon Dutton
Jonathon Dutton
Jonathon Dutton is an actor who started his career playing the role of Tad Reeves in the Australian soap opera Neighbours....
) smuggles in a bottle of whiskey and shares it with Flick, Paul McClain
Paul McClain
Paul McClain is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Jansen Spencer. Paul made his first appearance on 4 November 1997. Paul departed on 11 December 2001...
(Jansen Spencer
Jansen Spencer
Jansen Spencer is an Australian actor best known for his part in the worldwide Australian Soap, Neighbours. Jansen Spencer played Paul McClain between the years of 1997 to 2001...
) and Monique Disney (Jacqi Swallow). Matt catches the teens and is persuaded not to tell Susan. Tad later suffers a scorpion bite and is in a critical condition. Matt is forced to admit to Susan that the teens were drinking and is given a dressing down. One night, while stocking the pub cellar, Matt and Flick are trapped inside and nobody can hear them. Flick immediately accuses Matt of planning this and confronts him about his feelings for her. Flick later apologises and tells Matt she likes him only as a friend, and the two put it behind them.
Matt begins spending a lot of time on his new car which he purchased after winning the prize money in a competition. Glen Bushby (Nathaniel Marshall) challenges him to a race but Matt's car stalls. Matt receives a letter demanding he pay $400 within two days or it will be repossessed, so Matt challenges Glen after being taunted and Stuart
Stuart Parker (Neighbours)
Stuart Parker is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Blair McDonough. He made his first appearance on 13 December 2001. Stuart lived with Toadfish Rebecchi and Connor O'Neill at number 30, during which time the house became known as "The House of Trouser"...
(Blair McDonough
Blair McDonough
Blair McDonough is an actor who is best known for playing the role of Stuart Parker in the Australian TV soap opera Neighbours. He first shot to fame in 2001, when he finished runner-up in the inaugural season of the reality TV series Big Brother Australia...
) puts down a bet of $500. Matt defeats Glen and is able to meet his payments. Leo (Anthony Hammer
Anthony Hammer
Anthony Hammer is an Australian actor, known for his short-lived stint as Leo Hancock on the Australian soap opera Neighbours. He joined the cast in 2001 but shortly afterwards, the entire on-screen Hancock family were axed...
), Matt's younger brother wants in but is told he is too young.
After overhearing a conversation where Toadie confesses his feelings to Maggie, things become strained between the friends. Toadie tries to explain that he knows nothing will come of his feelings but Matt is unwilling to listen. When debt begins to mount, Matt agrees to another drag race, this time for higher stakes – $2,000. At the beginning of the race, Leo jumps into the car with Matt. The brothers seem to be winning but Matt swerves out of control and hits Harold Bishop
Harold Bishop
Harold Bishop is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Ian Smith. He made his first on-screen appearance on 30 January 1987. Smith was offered a role by Neighbours creator and executive producer Reg Watson...
(Ian Smith
Ian Smith (actor)
Ian Smith is an Australian soap opera character actor and television screenwriter, best known today for his long-running role as the caring, kindly coffee shop owner Harold Bishop in the soap opera Neighbours....
) who is out speed walking. Both cars crash and the drivers are seriously injured and Harold is left temporarily blind due to detached retinas.
Matt wakes up in hospital and confesses all to Evan and Maggie, and is shortly interviewed by Constable Terri Hall (Robyn Charlesworth) who tells him he will be charged with Reckless driving and potential manslaughter if Glen dies. When the realisation sinks in that he may be going to prison and he sees a priest enter Glen's room, Matt flees hospital and hides in a shack by the beach. Leo, sworn to secrecy, visits Matt who begs him to stay quiet. After Terri follows Leo and tracks Matt down, he is arrested after returning and denied bail for fleeing earlier.
After being eventually bailed at Evan and Maggie's expense, Matt returns home and is confronted by Glen's father, Roger (D.J. Foster), who angrily informs him that Glen may never walk again as a result of his injuries. Evan quickly defends Matt and the tension between father and son over the last few weeks eases slightly. Prior to the Hancocks leaving Ramsay Street after selling their house to fund Matt's legal bills, Matt visits Harold, who has recently arrived home form hospital and apologises for the accident. Harold accepts and forgives Matt. Several months after the Hancocks leave, Joe Scully
Joe Scully
Joe Scully is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Shane Connor. He made his first on-screen appearance on 20 October 1999, along with his family.-Casting:...
(Shane Connor
Shane Connor
Shane Connor is an Australian actor, who has had extensive experience in both stage and film productions.-Background:Shane Connor graduated from the Victorian College of the Arts in the early 1980s...
) reveals that Matt escaped criminal charges.
Matt makes a cameo in Annalise Hartman
Annalise Hartman
Annalise Kratz is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by Kimberley Davies. She debuted on-screen in the episode airing on 15 January 1993 and departed in 1996, and a brief return in 2005. Annalise has often been portrayed as having a conniving persona...
's (Kimberly Davies) documentary about Ramsay Street. He explains that the reason he liked Ramsay Street was everything was so laid back and jokingly says Lou's Place was the only place to go and no wonder it was burned down.
Reception
In June 2002, Matt came sixth in a poll run by NewsroundNewsround
Newsround is a BBC children's news programme, which has run continuously since 4 April 1972, and was one of the world's first television news magazines aimed specifically at children...
to find viewer's favourite Neighbours character. He received 2.34% of the vote. Newsround later called Matt a "heart-throb."