Angie Rebecchi

Angie Rebecchi
Lesley Baker as Angie in 2008
Neighbours character
Portrayed by	Lesley Baker
Introduced by	Stanley Walsh (1995, 2002) Ric Pellizerri (2003–08)
Duration	1995–96, 2002–06, 2008
First appearance	8 February 1995
Last appearance	3 March 2008
Classification	Former, regular
Profile
Home	Colac
Occupation	The Holy Roll owner (1995–96) Roadhouse manager
Family Husband Kevin Rebecchi (1972–) Sisters Coral Reeves Sons Shane Rebecchi Stonefish Rebecchi Toadie Rebecchi Nephews Tad Reeves Nieces Gemma Reeves

Angela "Angie" Rebecchi is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Lesley Baker. She made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 8 February 1995. Angie departed in 1996, but she returned for several weeks in 2002, then for her youngest son, Toadie's wedding to Dee Bliss in 2003. The following year, Angie made another brief visit and she made a cameo in 2005 for the 20th anniversary special. The character returned in 2006 and 2008.

Casting

Baker was initially brought into Neighbours for a couple of episodes, but when her character proved popular with viewers, she was taken on full time.^[1] Of her time in the Neighbours, Baker told Jason Herbison of Inside Soap "Angie lived in Ramsay Street for two and half years and I had the time of my life. Even now, a lot of people say we were the most realistic family ever to be on the show."^[1]

On 14 April 2005, Kris Green of Digital Spy reported Baker would reprise her role for the soap's 20th anniversary special, which was broadcast in July.^[2]

Development

"A more caring and hospitable person you could not hope to meet - although if you didn't know her you wouldn't have believed it. Angie and Big Kev would have the most outrageous arguments - usually, for the whole street to hear."^[3]

—A BBC writer on Angie

A writer for the BBC's Neighbours website described Angie as being "salt of the earth" and a "rough diamond".^[3] They explained that she is "a devoted mother and tireless worker", though she was often brash.^[3] Inside Soap's Jason Herbison said Angie was the source of much comic relief in Neighbours and he commented "Whether pulling sons, Toadie and Stonefish, into line or gossiping with the neighbours, she was always the centre of attention.^[1] Baker said that above all Angie was a good mother and always had her boys' best interests at heart.^[1]

Despite being married to Kevin Rebecchi (Don Bridges), Angie had an affair with Mick Andrews (Mike Bishop), a possum catcher.^[1] Baker revealed that this was her favourite storyline and she recalled that it gave her the chance to play her first love scene.^[1] The actress explained "Me and Mike Bishop, who played Mick, both pretended we knew what to do - when neither of us did! When you're teenagers it's fine, but at our age - what do you do?"^[1] Angie and Mick's affair was short-lived and she eventually returned to Kevin.^[1] The BBC writer said Angie's heart always belonged to him and they called the couple "soul mates".^[3]

Storylines

Angie marries Kevin Rebecchi in 1972 and they have three sons; Shane (Greg O'Meara), Kevin Jr. (Anthony Engelman) and Jarrod (Ryan Moloney). The family lives in West Waratah until Angie and the boys move into Number 32 Ramsay Street. Shane is soon uncovered as the Ramsay Street thief much to Angie's shame and the family move back to West Waratah. However, the family frequently appear on Ramsay Street due to the friends they have made and are back living in Number 32 by the end of the year. Angie later takes over the lease of the coffee shop when Mark Gottlieb (Bruce Samazan) relocates to Sydney. During Big Kev's absences due to him being a trucker, Angie finds herself lonely and begins enjoying the company of Mick Anderson (Mike Bishop), a pest exterminator. Toadie, Angie's youngest son becomes immediately suspicious and confronts her after he learns Mick kissed Angie but she assures him she and Mick are just friends and she still loves his father.

After visiting Big Kev up North, Angie takes the decision to move the family to join him to open a roadhouse. Stonie, after splitting up with girlfriend Catherine O'Brien (Radha Mitchell) decides he has nothing lose and is in favor of the move. However, Toadie refuses to budge, Angie is hurt at first but understands and arranges with Karl (Alan Fletcher) and Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) to have Toadie live with them. Angie and Stonie bid farewell to Erinsborough and Toadie frequently visits them. Six years later, Angie and Kev return to Erinsborough where Toadie has arranged a surprise 30th Wedding Anniversary Party for them at Lou's Place. Problems in the marriage are evident when Angie and Kev argue. Toadie and his housemate Stuart Parker (Blair McDonough) try to mediate the couple's squabbles. Angie later wins the lottery and Kev tries to keep her sweet in order to get his hands on the ticket she keeps in her bra. Kev later claims the winnings and skips town leaving a note saying he'll see her in Rio leaving Angie devastated. After Kev suffers guilt over his actions and apologises, Angie plays him at his own game by pretending to run off with the money herself. The couple then buy a camper van and leave to reaffirm their marriage.

When Toadie is due to marry Dee Bliss (Madeleine West) the following year, Kev, Angie and Stonie return for the event. Angie and Dee argue but soon put their differences aside. After Dee is presumed drowned in a car accident, Angie and Kev try to help Toadie out of his depression but are unable to and leave. Several months later Stuart phones Angie to tell her Toadie has gone missing and she returns to Erinsborough. Stuart and Connor O'Neill (Patrick Harvey) explain about Toadie having problems with his current girlfriend Sindi Watts (Marisa Warrington) previously being a lapdancer, Angie goes over to Number 28 where Sindi is living and confronts her but realizes that Toadie wouldn't leave after a revelation like that. After learning Toadie is safe, Angie prepares to leave but wants her 16-year-old nephew Stingray Timmins (Ben Nicholas) to return with her to Colac so his parents can resume responsibility for him but Susan agrees to take Stingray on herself as she did with Toadie eight years previous. Angie appears in Annalise Hartman's documentary about Ramsay Street, praising Susan, Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) and Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver) for being steadying influences in Toadie's life.

In 2006, Angie returns to Ramsay Street and helps Harold and Lou battle against Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis), who has opened a rival restaurant to their General store. She battles sister-in-law Janelle Timmins (Nell Feeney) verbally and later physically in a boxing match where Angie lands the knockout blow after Janelle is distracted. The reason for their animosity is revealed when Janelle mentions she had always resented Angie marrying and taking her big brother, Kev away from her. The two sisters-in-law bury the hatchet. Angie later attends Janelle's re-wedding to her husband Kim (Brett Swain) and helps delay the police when they come looking for Kim over illegal DVD sales. Two years later, Angie and Kev return for Toadie's wedding to Stephanie Scully (Carla Bonner) which is called off when Toadie realizes Steph is not fully committed to marrying him. Angie tries to get Toadie to reconsider but he is adamant he will not. Angie and Kev then leave.

Reception

A writer for the BBC said Angie's most notable moment was "Kissing the possom man, Mick Andrews."^[4]

References

External links

• Character profile at the BBC