Category: Alan Fletcher

  • Home and Away Faces Channel Seven Bloodbath Over Stars’ Salaries

    Home and Away Faces Channel Seven Bloodbath Over Stars’ Salaries

    Home and Away’s biggest stars have landed in the crosshairs of Network Seven executives as their salaries are the latest to come into question amid the bloodbath.

    Household names such as Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, who are believed to be worth millions, have had a pause put on their huge salaries.

    As Seven continues to cut jobs, an inside source told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday their biggest soap stars won’t be getting a pay rise anytime soon. 

    ‘I can’t imagine now would be a good time for Ada Nicodemou or James Stewart to renegotiate their contracts,’ the insider said.

    ‘While the show is still riding high in the ratings, the long running soap won’t be spared on the budget cuts – as the network tightens their belt.

    ‘The current executive team is preserving the network but it is fair to say the glory days of high paid soapy stars have gone.’

    They went on to say executives have turned a scrutinising eye to the salaries of some of their original talent on Home and Away, and may be ‘reducing their screen time’.

    ‘It’s something Neighbors has done with Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne. Even Ryan Maloney is in a more cost effective role behind the scenes now,’ they revealed.

    Home and Away Faces Channel Seven Bloodbath Over Stars’ Salaries

    Home and Away’s biggest stars have landed in the crosshairs of Network Seven executives as their salaries are the latest to come into question amid the bloodbath. Pictured (L) is Ray Meagher, 80, and (R) Ada Nicodemou, 47

    ‘The show can’t afford to lose these celebrated characters but they write their characters off to Yabbie Creek for a month or two. 

    ‘That’s where you can expect some of these cuts to appear on screen.’ 

    Despite allegedly taking these measures to protect the popular long-running soap series, the network believes the show will survive the budget cuts unscathed. 

    Household names such as Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, 48, (right) who are believed to be worth millions, have had a pause put on their huge salaries

    Household names such as Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, 48, (right) who are believed to be worth millions, have had a pause put on their huge salaries

    However, the source says in the meantime ‘anyone looking to up their salary on the high rating soap will have to wait until next year’.

    While it’s not known exactly how much Home and Away’s biggest names get paid, stars like Ada, 47, and James, 48, are believed to be worth millions combined for their work on the show.

    Ada, who is currently dating James on and off-screen, previously flaunted her very flashy $147,000 Porsche Macan car in 2018.  

    Veteran star Ray Meagher, who portrays beloved Alf Stewart, was also once reported to be earning $500,000 a year back in 2009, which has likely increased. 

    Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Seven for comment. 

  • 90s Heartthrob with Wild Beard on Neighbours Set

    90s Heartthrob with Wild Beard on Neighbours Set

    He became a household name playing the school bully Peter Rivers in the 1990s teen drama Heartbreak High.

    Known for his long hair and edgy style, he was a heartthrob for many teenage girls during his acting heyday.

    These days Scott Major, 48, is thriving behind the camera.

    Last week Scott was spotted on the set of Neighbours where he works as a director for the long-running soap.

    He looked unrecognisable, sporting long locks complemented by a full grey beard. 

    90s Heartthrob with Wild Beard on Neighbours Set

    Former Heartbreak High star Scott Major, 48, (pictured) was spotted on the set of Neighbours last week 

    Major became a household name as the school bully Peter Rivers in the 1990s teen drama Heartbreak High

    Major became a household name as the school bully Peter Rivers in the 1990s teen drama Heartbreak High

    The former Heartbreak High star was directing scenes with long-time Neighbours cast favourites Rebekah Elmaloglou, Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne and newer cast members, Tim Kano, Xavier Molyneux and Majella Davis. 

    The actor has also showed off his plume of facial hair in several Instagram photos of late.

    These days he is thriving behind the camera

    These days he is thriving behind the camera

    He looked unrecognisable, sporting long locks complemented by a full grey beard

    He looked unrecognisable, sporting long locks complemented by a full grey beard 

    Scott was working hard, directing several scenes with the cast

    Scott was working hard, directing several scenes with the cast 

    In 2022, Scott reflected on the announcement of Netflix’s 2022 reboot of the teen series Heartbreak High, where he reprised his role of Rivers.

    Appearing in a personalised video on the app Cameo, he said: ‘I’m so happy they’re making it again and I hope that it captures the essence the original one captured.’

    Scott also reflected on his memorable role, saying: ‘As Rivers I was cool and hip and I used to wear flannels with one arm and a hat with no peak. I guess I’m getting older – not that you’d notice because I don’t look much older.’ 

    The former Heartbreak High star was directing scenes with long-time Neighbours cast favourites, Rebekah Elmaloglou, Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne and newer cast members, Tim Kano, Xavier Molyneux and Majella Davis

    The former Heartbreak High star was directing scenes with long-time Neighbours cast favourites, Rebekah Elmaloglou, Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne and newer cast members, Tim Kano, Xavier Molyneux and Majella Davis

    Scott dressed for comfort in a denim shirt and blue trousers

    Scott dressed for comfort in a denim shirt and blue trousers  

    The original Heartbreak High series ran for seven seasons on Channel 10 and ABC from 1994 to 1999, and followed the lives of a group of students at a fictional high school in Sydney. 

    Since starring in the show, Scott has acted in local dramas such as Blue Heelers, Always Greener and long-running soap Neighbours.

    He also stepped behind the camera to direct the axed AFL-themed drama Playing for Keeps.

    He also stepped behind the camera to direct the axed AFL-themed drama Playing for Keeps

    He also stepped behind the camera to direct the axed AFL-themed drama Playing for Keeps

  • Neighbours teaser: Heartbreaking promo hints at tragic fate for Haz and Mackenzie following controversial storyline criticisms

    Neighbours teaser: Heartbreaking promo hints at tragic fate for Haz and Mackenzie following controversial storyline criticisms

    Channel 10 has dropped a sneak preview for Neighbours this week.

    And it appears the character of Haz played by Shiv Palekar could be facing a tragic end – at the hands of his on-screen sweetheart Mackenzie (Georgie Stone.)

    The episode centres on Haz falling into a scheme hatched by his dodgy friend Wade (Stephen Phillips).

    Wade has blackmailed Haz into going along with the criminal enterprise after threatening to ruin Mackenzie’s career.

    But things take a dramatic turn when Mackenzie tries to stop Haz, which sends Haz on the run and into hiding.

    Neighbours teaser: Heartbreaking promo hints at tragic fate for Haz and Mackenzie following controversial storyline criticisms

    Channel 10 has dropped a sneak preview for Neighbours this week. And it appears the character of Haz played by Shiv Palekar (pictured) could be facing a tragic end 

    As Karl (Alan Fletcher) joins Mckenzie in a search for her boyfriend, the storyline takes a dark twist when she accidentally runs him over.

    And in a tragic turn of events that will shock fans, Haz recognises that it is Mackenzie who is behind the wheel just before the car hits him.

    It comes after the long-running soap was slammed by fans last week for airing an ‘appalling’ storyline seemingly inspired by Brisbane’s infamous ‘poo jogger’.

    Haz gets hit by a car - driven by his sweetheart Mackenzie (Georgie Stone)

    Haz gets hit by a car – driven by his sweetheart Mackenzie (Georgie Stone)

    In a recent episode, long-time Ramsay Street resident Dr Karl – played by Alan Fletcher – feels queasy while riding his bicycle and has to stop to relieve himself.

    Unfortunately, there are no public toilets nearby so he is forced to release his bowels in the bushes.

    This bizarre plot has the other characters working hard to track down the culprit, not realising it is their close friend and trusted medical professional.

    Pictured: Georgie Stone who plays Mackenzie on Neighbours

    Pictured: Georgie Stone who plays Mackenzie on Neighbours

    A trailer recently shared to social media once again showed Karl relieving himself in the open – and fans immediately called the show out for going too far in its attempt to come up with fresh storylines.

    ‘Could Karl really be the serial pooper?’ the account wrote next to the clip.

    The storyline appears to be inspired by the real-life case of Brisbane business executive Andrew Macintosh, aka ‘poo jogger’, who in 2018 resigned from his job after it was discovered he had been repeatedly defecating outside a unit block.

    Alan Fletcher as Karl in a scene from the controversial 'poo jogger' storyline which was recently featured on the long running soap

    Alan Fletcher as Karl in a scene from the controversial ‘poo jogger’ storyline which was recently featured on the long running soap

    The trailer quickly whipped Neighbours fans into a frenzy, many of whom took to the comment section to call the program out.

    ‘This storyline stinks!’ one fan sniped and a second person added: ‘Hate this. Obviously his high fibre diet is having laxative effects.’

    ‘Karl has become a caricature lately. This is a new low for the writers,’ a third person chipped in and another added: ‘What a s**t storyline.’

    It comes after the beleaguered soap opera was saved by Amazon Prime in November 2022, several months after it was initially axed.

    Unfortunately, the reboot of Neighbours turned out to be a huge flop for Channel 10.

    The beleaguered soap opera was revived by Amazon Prime in November 2022, several months after it was initially axed. Pictured: Alan Fletcher, Mischa Barton and Jackie Woodburne

    The beleaguered soap opera was revived by Amazon Prime in November 2022, several months after it was initially axed. Pictured: Alan Fletcher, Mischa Barton and Jackie Woodburne

    The first episode of the show drew in a total TV audience of just 244,000 and a mere 122,000 fans in the five metro centres tuned in.

    Meanwhile, another 68,000 fans saw the debut episode on catch-up platforms including 10Play, and 10Peach, while another 54,000 viewers watched the show in regional areas, making a total national audience of 174,000.

    Its total TV audience of 244,000 comes after what was supposed to be the show’s grand finale in July 2022 pulled in a whopping 1.09million viewers.

  • Neighbours viewers criticize ‘shocking’ storyline involving Dr Karl and claim the show has hit rock bottom

    Neighbours viewers criticize ‘shocking’ storyline involving Dr Karl and claim the show has hit rock bottom

    The long-running soap opera Neighbours has been slammed by fans after airing an ‘appalling’ storyline seemingly inspired by Brisbane’s infamous ‘poo jogger’.

    In a recent episode, long-time Ramsay Street resident Dr Karl – played by Alan Fletcher – feels queasy while riding his bicycle and has to stop to relieve himself.

    Unfortunately, there are no public toilets nearby so he is forced to release his bowels in the bushes. 

    This bizarre plot has the other characters working hard to track down the culprit, not realising it is their close friend and trusted medical professional.

    A trailer recently shared to social media once again showed Karl relieving himself in the open – and fans immediately called the show out for going too far in its attempt to come up with fresh storylines. 

    Neighbours viewers criticize ‘shocking’ storyline involving Dr Karl and claim the show has hit rock bottom

    Aussie soap opera Neighbours has been slammed by fans after airing an ‘appalling’ storyline seemingly inspired by Brisbane’s infamous ‘poo jogger’. In recent episodes, Dr Karl – played by Alan Fletcher (pictured) – feels queasy while riding his bike and has to stop to relieve himself

    ‘Could Karl really be the serial pooper?’ the account wrote next to the clip.

    The storyline appears to be inspired by the real-life case of Brisbane business executive Andrew Macintosh, aka ‘poo jogger’, who in 2018 resigned from his job after it was discovered he had been repeatedly defecating outside a unit block.

    The trailer quickly whipped Neighbours fans into a frenzy, many of whom took to the comment section to call the program out.

    Unfortunately, there are no public toilets nearby so Dr Karl is forced to release his bowels in the bushes

    Unfortunately, there are no public toilets nearby so Dr Karl is forced to release his bowels in the bushes

    ‘This storyline stinks!’ one fan sniped and a second person added: ‘Hate this. Obviously his high fibre diet is having laxative effects.’

    ‘Karl has become a caricature lately. This is a new low for the writers,’ a third person chipped in and another added: ‘What a s**t storyline.’ 

    It comes after the beleaguered soap opera was saved by Amazon Prime in November 2022, several months after it was initially axed. 

    This bizarre story has the other characters working hard to track down the culprit, not realising it is their close friend

    This bizarre story has the other characters working hard to track down the culprit, not realising it is their close friend

    Unfortunately, the reboot of Neighbours turned out to be a huge flop for Channel 10.

    The first episode of the show drew in a total TV audience of just 244,000 and a mere 122,000 fans in the five metro centres tuned in.

    Meanwhile, another 68,000 fans saw the debut episode on catch-up platforms including 10Play, and 10Peach, while another 54,000 viewers watched the show in regional areas, making a total national audience of 174,000.

    Its total TV audience of 244,000 comes after what was supposed to be the show’s grand finale in July 2022 pulled in a whopping 1.09million viewers.

    It comes after the beleaguered soap opera was saved by Amazon Prime in November 2022, several months after it was initially axed. Pictured: Alan Fletcher, Mischa Barton and Jackie Woodburne

    It comes after the beleaguered soap opera was saved by Amazon Prime in November 2022, several months after it was initially axed. Pictured: Alan Fletcher, Mischa Barton and Jackie Woodburne