Pippa Ross
Encyclopedia
Phillipa "Pippa" Routledge OAM (née King, previously Fletcher and Ross) is a fictional character
from the Australian soap opera
Home and Away
. Actress Vanessa Downing
originated the role from 1988 to 1990, then Debra Lawrance
took over from 1990 to 1998. The character has made guest returns in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, . Actress Carol Willesee, former wife of prominent Australian journalist Mike Willesee
, was actually the first person to be cast as Pippa, but she was replaced before her scenes were aired.
Foster child Frank was going to marry his fiancee Roo, until he found out that she was pregnant by another man. Frank later married fellow foster child Bobby Simpson in 1989. They eventually divorced. Pippa and Tom later adopted Sally.
Pippa and Tom fostered children as Pippa had rheumatic fever as a child, it weakened her heart and doctors warned her that she should not have children. Tom had a vasectomy to prevent her falling pregnant but against all odds they conceived one biological child together, who they called Christopher. Tom died in 1990, following a heart attack and stroke. Pippa married Michael Ross
in 1991 and fell pregnant in 1992, giving birth to Dale Ross. Unfortunately, Dale died from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome
). Michael later drowned in the 1996 floods. Pippa left in 1998, marrying Ian Routledge in 1999.
In 2000, Pippa, along with many other past residents, returned to Summer Bay for Sally's failed wedding to Kieran Fletcher.
In 2002, she made video for Sally at Summer Bay's 150th anniversary celebrations. Four of her former foster children (Sally, Steven, Sophie, and Carly) were among those involved in the Miragini disaster.
Pippa returned to The Bay again in 2003 for Sally's wedding to Flynn and in 2005 for Alf's 60th.
She returned again 2006 when Flynn died and then she returned to The Bay twice in 2007.
Pippa made two appearances in 2008, the first to be there for Sally after her second stabbing, the next to help with her departure.
When Irene left on her trip in 2009, Alf called Pippa to look after Geoff and Annie and stayed for week.
Some of Pippa's Foster Children throughout the years:Sally Keating /Fletcher, Frank Morgan
, Carly Morris, Lynn Davenport, Steven Matheson
, Sophie Simpson
(also her daughter Tamara) Finlay and Damian Roberts, Sam Marshall
, Sarah Thompson, Jack Wilson
, Shannon Reed
, Liam Tanner, Tiegan Brooks and Justine Wells to name a few.
, who played her on screen husband Tom). Debra Lawrance took over the role from July 1990 until 1998 and has subsequently returned to guest star.
Character (arts)
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
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
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...
. Actress Vanessa Downing
Vanessa Downing
Vanessa Downing is an Australian actress. She was educated in Sydney and holds a Masters Degree in English Literature from Sydney University...
originated the role from 1988 to 1990, then Debra Lawrance
Debra Lawrance
Debra Lawrance is an Australian actress best known for her role as Pippa Ross on Home and Away, which she played from 1990 to 1998. She continues to guest star to this date- her last appearance was in 2009.-Biography:...
took over from 1990 to 1998. The character has made guest returns in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009, . Actress Carol Willesee, former wife of prominent Australian journalist Mike Willesee
Mike Willesee
Michael Willesee is an Australian television presenter.Mike Willesee came to prominence in 1967 as a reporter for the ABC's new nightly current affairs program This Day Tonight , where his aggressive style quickly earned him a reputation as a fearless political interviewer.-Career:Willesee figured...
, was actually the first person to be cast as Pippa, but she was replaced before her scenes were aired.
Storylines
In the pilot episode, Pippa and Tom foster wildchild Bobby Simpson. Pippa has a brother Danny that is only seen in the first season a few times, first time over for ANZAC day as he and Tom were Vietnam vets. He also asked Pippa to help him commit suicide as he was left in a wheelchair from the war which she declined to do.Foster child Frank was going to marry his fiancee Roo, until he found out that she was pregnant by another man. Frank later married fellow foster child Bobby Simpson in 1989. They eventually divorced. Pippa and Tom later adopted Sally.
Pippa and Tom fostered children as Pippa had rheumatic fever as a child, it weakened her heart and doctors warned her that she should not have children. Tom had a vasectomy to prevent her falling pregnant but against all odds they conceived one biological child together, who they called Christopher. Tom died in 1990, following a heart attack and stroke. Pippa married Michael Ross
Michael Ross (Home and Away)
Michael Ross is a fictional character on the Australian soap opera Home and Away played by actor Dennis Coard and made his first appearance on 22 October 1990.-Storylines:...
in 1991 and fell pregnant in 1992, giving birth to Dale Ross. Unfortunately, Dale died from SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome
Sudden infant death syndrome
Sudden infant death syndrome is marked by the sudden death of an infant that is unexpected by medical history, and remains unexplained after a thorough forensic autopsy and a detailed death scene investigation. An infant is at the highest risk for SIDS during sleep, which is why it is sometimes...
). Michael later drowned in the 1996 floods. Pippa left in 1998, marrying Ian Routledge in 1999.
In 2000, Pippa, along with many other past residents, returned to Summer Bay for Sally's failed wedding to Kieran Fletcher.
In 2002, she made video for Sally at Summer Bay's 150th anniversary celebrations. Four of her former foster children (Sally, Steven, Sophie, and Carly) were among those involved in the Miragini disaster.
Pippa returned to The Bay again in 2003 for Sally's wedding to Flynn and in 2005 for Alf's 60th.
She returned again 2006 when Flynn died and then she returned to The Bay twice in 2007.
Pippa made two appearances in 2008, the first to be there for Sally after her second stabbing, the next to help with her departure.
When Irene left on her trip in 2009, Alf called Pippa to look after Geoff and Annie and stayed for week.
Some of Pippa's Foster Children throughout the years:Sally Keating /Fletcher, Frank Morgan
Frank Morgan
Frank Morgan was an American actor. He was best known for his portrayal of the title character in the film The Wizard of Oz.-Early life:...
, Carly Morris, Lynn Davenport, Steven Matheson
Steven Matheson
Steven "Stevo" Matheson is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Adam Willits. Steven was created by Alan Bateman as one of the serial's original characters and he first appeared in the pilot episode. Willits received the role after being one of...
, Sophie Simpson
Sophie Simpson
Sophie Simpson is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by Rebekah Elmaloglou. She debuted on-screen during the episode airing on 22 January 1990 and appeared as a regular until 1993...
(also her daughter Tamara) Finlay and Damian Roberts, Sam Marshall
Sam Marshall
Sam Marshall is a fictional character in the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by actor Ryan Clark between 1991 and 2000. He returned for short stints in 2001, 2002 and 2005.-Character:...
, Sarah Thompson, Jack Wilson
Jack Wilson (Home and Away)
Jack Wilson is a fictional character portrayed by Daniel Amalm in the Australian soap opera Home and Away. He made his first appearence on 4 April 1994 and departed on 8 May 1996...
, Shannon Reed
Shannon Reed
Shannon Reed is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Home and Away, played by Isla Fisher. She made her first on screen appearance on 16 September 1994. She departed on 6 August 1997.- Character development :Shannon was bisexual...
, Liam Tanner, Tiegan Brooks and Justine Wells to name a few.
Recast
Pippa was played by Vanessa Downing from the pilot episode in 1988 to 1990, when Vanessa left series (apparently due to missing working with her former co-star Roger OakleyRoger Oakley
Roger Oakley is a New-Zealand-born character-actor noted for his performances on Australian television., but more recently active as a Theatre Performer....
, who played her on screen husband Tom). Debra Lawrance took over the role from July 1990 until 1998 and has subsequently returned to guest star.