Lucy Robinson

Lucy Robinson is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Melissa Bell. The character has previously been portrayed by Kylie Flinker and Sasha Close. She was created by producer Reg Watson as one of the serial's original characters. Lucy was a prominent figure during the early 1990s of Neighbours, with Bell playing her on and off for five years. Portrayed originally as being clever, a recast was implemented to fit the character's transformation and she became the stereotype of a ditzy blonde female. She has been involved in storylines including battling a brain tumour, coping with blindness, incest, modelling and addictions to drugs, alcohol and spending. She has also been positively and negatively received by critics for her "busty blonde" image while played by Bell. After making a brief return on 6 May 2013, Lucy made subsequent return visits until 2016. She was reintroduced as part of the serial's 35th anniversary in 2020, before returning briefly in late 2021 as part of the reintroduction of her half-brother, Glen Donnelly (Richard Huggett), and twice in 2022, appearing in the show's finale episode. Bell returned on 18 September 2023 following the show's renewal, but departed again on 21 September 2023. Casting Lucy was created by Reg Watson as a young child, to help the serial appeal to all ages. She was originally played by Kylie Flinker, who had no prior acting experience when she auditioned for the role. Flinker was cast as Lucy after impressing in an emotional scene in which she had to cry. Flinker's departure from the serial was publicised in the 8 November 1986 edition of TV Week. Patrice Fidgeon reported that Flinker would not be renewing her contract and would finish at the end of the year, with her final scenes airing around March 1987. Flinker decided to leave Neighbours to return to school, having worked with various tutors while on set and attending special classes during filming breaks. Fidgeon said Lucy would likely be written out by being sent to visit her friend Bradley Townsend (Bradley Kilpatrick) in Paris. Fidgeon also confirmed that the character of Lucy would continue to be seen as the role was going to be recast. After Flinker quit the show in order to concentrate on her school work, the role was recast with Sasha Close playing her.