Bob Barnett - Philip Matheson

Philip Matheson
Home and Away character
Portrayed by John Morris
Introduced by Alan Bateman
Duration 1988-89
First appearance 18 August 1988
Last appearance 26 April 1989
Classification Former; recurring
Book appearances Summer Bay Blues
Scandal at Summer Bay
Profile
Date of death 26 April 1989
Occupation Doctor
Family
Brothers Brett Matheson
Nephews Steven Matheson

Philip Matheson played by John Morris made his first appearance on-screen during the episode airing on 18 April 1988 and departed on 26 April 1989.

When the serial began; it mainly attracted younger audience and featured stories that were relevant to them. While producers were happy with their audience, they wanted to attract older viewers too. As a result the character of Philip was created. Series producer Alan Bateman told Kesta Desmond for his Home and Away Annual that "we’ve been trying to introduce elements that will appeal to the eighteen plus age group". Morris was one of 150 actors that auditioned for the role and was eventually cast. Morris told Desmond that he was "rapt" to join the serial and branded Philip as the "biggest role" he could have played. Morrison told James Oram in the book Home and Away: Behind the Scenes that he had little acting experience beforehand and was proud of himself for securing the role. Philip is the "long lost" uncle of Steven Matheson (Adam Willits) and only intends to stay for a short time. However, he secures employment at the local hospital and becomes involved with Stacey Macklin (Sandie Lillingston).

Morris later decided to leave the serial and asked the producers to kill Philip off. He told Clive Hopwood in the book Home and Away Special that "I planned my own character's end, but I wanted it to be final, with no chance of some future resurrection." However, Morris was "a little taken aback" when he read the scripts for Philip's exit. The character is trapped inside Celia Stewart's's (Fiona Spence) store when it blows up because of arsonist Dodge (Kelly Dingwall). Morris quipped "you can't get much more final than that. I'd like to see anyone bring that character back." His death affected many of the residents of Summer Bay, including Carly Morris (Sharyn Hodgson) and Bobby Simpson (Nicolle Dickson); who Philip had helped through their issues. The character had become popular with viewers. Morris told Murray Clifford Evening Times that Philip was the "first long-established character to be killed off". He revealed that the studio was "swamped" with telephone calls from "distressed fans" and Morris also had thousands of fan letters. He added that his female fans could not believe that their "favourite doctor" had died. Some even protested and sent wreaths to the studio. Morris said that if he had realised the extent of Philip's popularity, he would have asked for the door to be left open for a future return.

Philip arrives in Summer Bay to help Steven come to terms with the first anniversary of his parents' deaths. As a doctor, He assists with the birth of Pippa Fletcher's (Vanessa Downing) baby Christopher (Ashley-Bell Weir). Philip lodges with Frank Morgan (Alex Papps) and Narelle Smart (Amanda Newman-Phillips) in the flat above the General store. Philip tries to woo Stacey but she keeps turning him down. When Stacey's brother, Brett (Gerry Sont) steals money from the Macklin office safe and tries to flee with his new-born daughter Martha (Burcin Kapkin), Philip and Stacey chase after him. Philip overtakes Brett and tries to get Martha from the car, but Brett slams the door on his hand, severing tendons and gets away. Philip is then forced to face the reality that his dreams of being a surgeon are over.

Philip and Stacey finally get together after a date. They team up to investigate Gary Samuels (Darius Perkins) and find he is responsible for his parents' deaths. When Gary is concerned, He plays a suicide trick on them by pretending to jump off a cliff and takes the story to the local papers and paints Philip and Stacey in a bad light. Philip is a suspect when Gary's body is found at the bottom of the same cliff he pretended to jump from but is cleared when it is revealed that Gary fell after trying the same trick on Carly.

Philip decides to leave Summer Bay to aid his career but Stacey refuses to leave with him. He returns several weeks after Christmas and is dismayed to learn Stacey is engaged to Nicholas Walsh (Robert Taylor). However, Philip refuses to give up and Stacey breaks up with Nicholas. Philip later proposes, but Stacey's father Gordon (Ron Haddrick) disapproves as he thinks Philip is not rich enough. Philip, overhearing their conversation, decides to postpone plans. Stacey is shocked when she discovers she may be pregnant. This is found to be a mistake as her blood test was mixed up. The couple then reaffirm their engagement. Philip arrives home while the store is set alight by Dodge who has a grudge against the owner, Celia. Philip dies in the fire and his body is recovered, leaving Stacey and Steven devastated. Dodge is later imprisoned and serves five years for the crime.

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