Alan Fletcher (actor)

Alan Fletcher (born 30 March 1957) is an Australian actor of stage, television and film. He is also a singer and musician. He is perhaps best known for his television soap opera role in ''Neighbours'' as Dr. Karl Kennedy. He has also played Frank Rossi in ''Cop Shop'' and Michael Clayton in ''Embassy''. In 2007, he was a contestant on the UK reality show '' Soapstar Superstar''.

Having appeared in ''Neighbours'' since 1994, Fletcher is the third longest serving actor in an Australian television serial, after ''Home and Away'' actors Ray Meagher and Lynne McGranger.

Career

Fletcher was born in Perth, Western Australia, and attended Wesley College in Perth. Fletcher appeared in various stage productions in Perth, including '' No, No, Nanette'', '' Privates on Parade'' and '' Something's Afoot''. He was also asked to appear in the play ''Beyond a Joke'' alongside British actor Arthur Lowe. Fletcher met his then-fiancée actress Merrin Canning during a production of '' The Ghost Train''. After continuing to work on the stage together in Perth, they moved to Sydney. Fletcher guested in '' The Young Doctors'', before appearing in the second Australian episode of the US drama ''The Love Boat'' in 1981 as the on-screen fiancé of Morgan Fairchild. His first major television role was Constable Frank Rossi in the Seven Network police drama ''Cop Shop'', which he began filming in May 1982.

Fletcher starred in the Australian feature film '' Fran'' alongside Noni Hazlehurst in 1985. He also appeared in '' Mercy Mission''. He appeared in ''Neighbours'' in 1987 as Greg Cooper, a mechanic working in Jim Robinson's (Alan Dale) garage. In 1994, Fletcher successfully auditioned for the role of Karl Kennedy in the soap, a role which he continues to play. His on-screen wife Susan Kennedy is played by Jackie Woodburne, who previously played his sister in ''Cop Shop''.

In 2005, Fletcher starred as Henry Higgins in a production of ''My Fair Lady'' at the Melbourne Comedy Theatre. He is also a prominent member of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, a role which saw him become a vocal critic of the 2004 US-Australia Free Trade Agreement, including an appearance on the political talk-show Meet the Press.

In 2008, Fletcher starred as Frank McGee in the workshop performance season of '' Call Girl the Musical'' and as Captain Hook in the Pantomime ''Peter Pan'' at His Majesty's Theatre, Aberdeen.

In 2011, Fletcher spent time in Old Melbourne Gaol to raise money for the charity ''Whitelion''. In order to break out, Fletcher and fellow ''Neighbours'' cast members Stefan Dennis, Jordy Lucas and Valentina Novakovic had to each raise $1,000.

In May 2013, along with Saskia Hampele, he presented the award of Best Newcomer to Joseph Thompson at the British Soap Awards. Fletcher appeared in a documentary special celebrating ''Neighbours'' 30th anniversary titled '' Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite'', which aired in Australia and the UK in March 2015.

Musical career

Fletcher is also the lead singer in a band called Waiting Room, alongside Tommy Rando, Chris Hawker and Jeff Consi. The group has toured the United Kingdom several times. With a handful of their own songs they incorporate a selection of cover versions into their set, including Smokie's "Living Next Door to Alice", replacing 'Alice' with 'Susan', a reference to his ''Neighbours'' on-screen wife. Their single, "So Wrong", was released on iTunes on 26 November 2007, followed by their album, ''Live at the Elephant'', on 17 December 2007.

On 30 November 2007, Fletcher performed a cover of the Oasis

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