Fletcher: 'Plot could have been dreadful'

Neighbours star Alan Fletcher has admitted that the Kennedy family's current surrogacy storyline could have been "dreadful" in the wrong hands.

In recent months on the Australian show, Ramsay Street stalwart Susan (Jackie Woodburne) has been seen going ahead with plans to become a surrogate mother for her daughter Libby (Kym Valentine) and son-in-law Dan (Brett Tucker).

Discussing the surprise plotline in an interview with Holy Soap, Fletcher, who plays Kennedy patriarch Karl, confirmed that he is pleased by the way the scenes have been handled.

He commented: "The notion of a mother being a surrogate for their daughter is something you can't pretend is not controversial. The writers embraced that and showed how Susan's decision divided the community, and has potential to divide the family.

"It's a very strong story and played in the wrong way could be dreadful, but Jackie Woodburne is so consummate in the way she's crafted this performance, so I know people will find it riveting."

Speaking about his work with screen wife Woodburne, Fletcher added: "Jackie and I go back a very long way. She played my sister in a television show in the early '80s. We enjoy a very special relationship in the sense that as actors we are very trusting of each other, and we assist each other in our work without ego.

"Off screen we are great friends and always have been. We share a similar sense of humour and we are great pals."

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