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Neighbours' Des and Daphne actors 39 years since debut – including sad mental health battle
Des and Daphne were the original fan favourites on Neighbours – and while their alter-egos got a fairytale wedding, the actors behind them have had a tough time of it
Daphne Lawrence (portrayed by Elaine Smith) was initially a stripper with a heart of gold she fell head over heels for the charming Des Clarke (played by Paul Keane) in the very first episode of the beloved Australian soap, which aired on 18 March, 1985. Daphne was one of just 12 original Neighbours characters along with Des brought to life by TV producer Reg Watson, and she quit her stripping job when she took over the lease to the local coffee shop. Stefan Dennis, Annie Jones, Geoff Paine, Guy Pearce, Lucinda Cowden, Ian Smith and Paul Keane in 2022 (Image: PA)The now-66 year old actor opened up about his past struggles with alcohol, amphetamines, painkillers, and even a suicide attempt as reported by the publication.
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