Declan Napier | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Neighbours character | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Portrayed by | James Sorensen (2007–2010) Erin Mullally (2010–2011) Thomas Smith (flashback) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Duration | 2007–2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
First appearance | 25 July 2007 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last appearance | 15 March 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Introduced by | Ric Pellizzeri | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Erin Mullally as Declan (2010) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Declan Napier is a fictional character from the Australian Network Ten soap opera Neighbours, played by James Sorensen from 2007 to 2010, and Erin Mullally from 2010 to 2011. In January 2010 it was announced that Sorensen had quit the role of Declan and the decision to recast was taken, with Mullally making his first on-screen appearance on 3 May 2010. In October 2010, it was announced the character was to leave Neighbours and he made his final appearance on 15 March 2011.
The character was originally portrayed as a "teenage tearaway" but later settled down. He has been involved with some of the series' most controversial storylines including teenage pregnancy which caused an upset among conservative family groups, coping with his wife's death and a relationship with fellow character Kate Ramsay which was initially received as distasteful and unbelievable with Australian viewers. Declan has also been popularised whilst Sorensen played him for his 'good looks' and physical appearance, subsequently being branded as one of the show's most popular characters.