Old school Neighbours bromance trio nearly got their own spin-off show

Lexie Cartwright news.com.au

The trio were beloved among the Aussie soap’s loyal viewers, thanks to their cheeky shenanigans and hilarious predicaments they got themselves into while living together in “Number 30” on Ramsay Street.

Two decades later Australian actor Daniel MacPherson, who was only 17 when he took up the role of Joel Samuels in 1998, has revealed to news.com.au that Neighbours executive producers developed and pitched a “Toadie, Lance and Joel” spin-off show to production companies in the UK.

“We did some development but it never quite found its legs,” MacPherson said.

“I had wonderful times on Neighbours, especially with Ryan Maloney (Toadie) and Andrew Bibby (Lance).

“Our storyline lasted about 12 months I reckon, then the talks started about a spin-off show.

“That would’ve been a lot of fun.”

It’s unfortunate for us lifelong Neighbours tragics, but not getting his own spin-off hasn’t hurt MacPherson, who went on to star in City Homicide.

The 38-year-old has been a household name in Australia for years as a host, notably on Dancing With The Stars, before moving to LA five years ago with his wife Zoe Ventoura, of Packed To The Rafters fame.

MacPherson admitted he’d experienced many unsuccessful pilot seasons but is now reaping the rewards of hard work, having just wrapped up filming on the hit action series Strike Back.

Season 7 of the wildly popular series has returned to Fox Showcase in what is MacPherson’s second series playing American soldier Samuel Wyatt.

He shot the entire series in Malaysia, which might sound like a holiday but MacPherson’s schedule was anything but.

“I train twice a day. I had to go out and put on 15kg for the role. I have to rehearse stunts and fights. We obviously have special diets and have to see physios,” he said.

“On top of that my character is dealing with PTSD, so for me, this role really challenges me and pushes me both physically and emotionally.”

MacPherson is waiting to hear if Strike Back will be given the green light to go to an eighth season, but in the meantime he’s working on a number of under-wraps projects.

Stream seasons 1-6 of Strike Back on Foxtel Now, and watch season 7 on Wednesdays at 8.30pm AEDT on Fox Showcase.