Nell Mangel - Reception

Reception

Although at the time Nell was disliked by some of the viewers, she later became remembered as an iconic character. Comedy Central a Satellite television station which airs in the UK, commented on Nell, branding her as one of the series most iconic characters, they also added: "Nell Mangel was a woman who infuriated nearly everyone she encountered. She lived in 32 Ramsay Street from 1986 to ’88 and was interfering, nosey and self-righteous. If ever there was an opportunity to ruin people’s fun, be it rescuing Lucy Robinson from a well, Des and Daphne having a barbecue or Helen having another stroke, Mrs. Mangel would be promptly on the phone to report it to the police, the school or the parent concerned. Ooh, she was a cow!" Also adding Gray's abuse from the public in their opinion was because her portrayal was so convincing.

A Scottish national newspaper, The Scotsman has also praised the character for her nasty streak saying: "Vivean Gray made more of an impact in that short time on the Aussie soap than most actors manage in their entire careers. As the cantankerous Mrs Mangel – arch nemesis of feisty Madge Ramsay – Gray played one of the most detestable villains ever to set foot in Ramsay Street. Her nosiness and holier-than-thou-ness were bad enough, but it was in her dealings with Madge where she really raised the hackles of the Neighbours faithful." Media brand Orange have commented that Nell was interfering and nosy. To celebrate Neighbours' 25th anniversary, Yahoo conducted a poll to find out who was the viewers favourite character of all time, in the results Nell came in joint third place along with Charlene Mitchell. Kate Bevan of The Guardian called Nell a "proto-Dot Cotton".

Neil Wallis and Dave Hogan reviewed Nell in their 1989 book "The Neighbours Factfile", of her they commented: " never addressed by her Christian name because she is so frosty and disliked by the other residents of Ramsay Street, this gossiping, interfering old busybody is referred to everyone as 'Mrs. Mangel'." Popular culture website "TV Cream" refer to Nell as "Jane's interfering nan". Soaplife magazine named Nell as one of their "Nightmare Neighbours" and said "Probably the most unpopular neighbour ever! The original busybody, Nell was always poking her nose into other people's business, ready to phone the police at the merest scent of trouble. Who can forget her long-running feud with Madge, when Madge thought Nell was after her fiance Harold Bishop. Few tears were shed when she left for a new life in England after marrying John Worthington."