Hilary Robinson
| Hilary Robinson | |||||||||||||
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| Neighbours character | |||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Anne Scott-Pendlebury | ||||||||||||
| Duration | 1987, 1988, 1989–90, 2005 | ||||||||||||
| First appearance | 25 June 1987 | ||||||||||||
| Last appearance | 27 July 2005 | ||||||||||||
| Introduced by |
Reg Watson (1987) Don Battye (1988, 1989) Ric Pellizzeri (2005) | ||||||||||||
| Classification | Former, regular | ||||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||||
| Occupation | Librarian | ||||||||||||
| Home | Adelaide | ||||||||||||
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Hilary Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Anne Scott-Pendlebury. The character first appeared on-screen during the episode broadcast on 25 June 1987. She returned in 1988 in a guest capacity and then returned in a permanent role in 1989. The character departed the show on 28 February 1990. Scott-Pendlebury reprised her role in 2005 for the serial's 20th anniversary episode. Hilary was central to many storylines including Tax evasion, animal rights and interfering with her neighbours personal lives.
Storylines
Hilary often clashed with her cousin Jim Robinson (Alan Dale), she arrives to attend Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan) and Charlene Mitchell's (Kylie Minogue) wedding. She later discovers Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) has married Gail Lewis (Fiona Corke) for business reasons, nearly exposing their secret. Hilary inferes with Jim's love life, match making him with her friend Beverly Marshall (Lisa Armytage), the later marry. She is later thrown out of the Robinson household for telling Nick Page (Mark Stevens) he isn't part of the Robinson family, moving in with Sharon Davies (Jessica Muschamp) while Edith Chubb (Irene Inescort) is away, she then begins feuding with Joe Mangel (Mark Little) and Kerry Bishop (Linda Hartley-Clark), Kerry becomes enraged by Hilary after she sets up an aviary, Kerry, an animal rights activist releases the birds, Hilary argues with her, she later attempts to save some of the birds and Hilary falls from a ladder, Bronwyn Davies (Rachel Friend) saves her life.
Matt Robinson (Ashley Paske) is later revealed to be Hilary's son. She initially tries to keep it a secret until he blackmails her, telling her he will walk out on her for good, in turn making Hilary publicly reveal him as her son. Hilary later begins a relationship with Kenneth Muir (Roger Boyce), they later split up when he finds out Hilary has been tax evading. Hilary decides to leave Ramsay Street permanently, this angers Paul, after Hilary withdraws her funding of the Robinson Corporation. Hilary leaves, Matt later joins her.
Hilary returns in a cameo appearance during Annalise Hartman's (Kimberley Davies) documentary.[1] She credited her time living in the street as helping her rebuild her relationship with Matt.
Reception
Ruth Deller of entertainment website Lowculture commented on Hilary stating: "Jim's cousin Hilary was one of the street's best busybodies. She was mostly a recurring guest character in the series, although she did have a stint as a permanent resident. She was a bit of a 'fusspot' but with her heart in the right place".[2]
To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Neighbours, the BBC asked readers to nominate their 20 favourite obscure characters. Hilary came in fourth place and the readers called her "perpetually bitchy and irascible – got on everyone's nerves and was hugely funny".[3] They added, "Appeared sporadically in the late 80s. She wasn't based in Erinsborough but somehow got Jim and Beverly together -as if Dr Bev would ever have been a friend of such an old witch!!".[3] In Neighbours: The Official Annual 1991, John McCready and Nicola Furlong said that Sharon Davies (Jessica Muschamp) never got any peace and tranquillity when Hilary was around. They also said Scott-Pendlebury had made a mark on Neighbours.[4] The Evening Times said Hilary "is the tactless cousin of The Robinson family who despite all her faults did bring Beverly and Jim together."[5] A writer from Inside Soap branded Hilary Ramsay Street's "strait-laced resident".[6]
References
- ↑ Green, Kris (14 April 2005). "More Neighbours returns confirmed". Digital Spy. (Hachette Filipacchi UK). Retrieved 7 May 2010.
- ↑ Deller, Ruth (23 July 2009). "A guide to recognising your Ramsays and Robinsons". Lowculture. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Your 20 favourite obscure Neighbours characters". BBC News (BBC). 21 October 2005. Retrieved 11 July 2010.
- ↑ McCready, John; Furlong, Nicola (1990). Neighbours: the official annual 1991. Hamlyn. p. 59. ISBN 978-0-600-57045-5.
- ↑ "Ashley's set to be new heart-throb". Evening Times. (Newsquest). 8 May 2009. Retrieved 3 April 2011.
- ↑ "Are you a Neighbours nut?". Inside Soap (Attic Futura (UK) Ltd) (101): 32, 33. 16-29 May 1998.
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