Toadfish Rebecchi

Jarrod Vincenzo Rebecchi (commonly known as "Toadfish" or "Toadie") is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera '' Neighbours'', played by Ryan Moloney. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 23 January 1995. Toadie was created by writer Elizabeth Packett. Moloney had previously auditioned for another role in the show and had played a minor character, before being cast as Toadie. The actor was originally scheduled to play Toadie in one scene, but he went on to become a recurring cast member. When Toadie became popular with viewers, Moloney was promoted to the regular cast. In 2015, Moloney celebrated his 20th anniversary with ''Neighbours''. The finale of the serial in 2022 focused on his character's wedding to Melanie Pearson ( Lucinda Cowden). The character will return when '' Neighbours'' continues in 2023.

Toadie was initially portrayed as a troubled teenager and a "class clown". After qualifying as a lawyer, Toadie matured and became a responsible member of the community. Despite being labelled "unlucky in love", Toadie has had several love interests and has been married three times. Toadie has received mostly positive attention from television critics and viewers. For his portrayal of Toadie, Moloney earned a nomination for Best Actor in a Soap at the 2004 Rose d'Or Awards. In 2010, Moloney won the first Best Daytime Star award at the ''Inside Soap'' Awards. He has since won it three more times in 2011, 2012 and 2019. He has also been nominated for the Logie Award for Most Popular Actor.

Creation and casting

The character of Toadfish was created by writer Elizabeth Packett. Actor Ryan Moloney was cast in the role after previously auditioning for the role of Brett Stark and appearing as a minor character called Cyborg, who vandalised the Willis family's property. Moloney made his first appearance as Toadie during the episode broadcast on 23 January 1995. He recalled that his first scene lasted for ten minutes and that it featured Toadie begging his brother, Stonefish (Anthony Engelman), to take him to the beach. Moloney was originally contracted to play Toadie in that one scene, but he went on to become a recurring character. He thought the producers kept him on as he looked similar to Engelman when he was younger and they wanted to see more of the Rebecchi family. Toadie proved to be popular with the ''Neighbours'' viewers and he was asked to continue on the show full-time.

By 2003 Moloney said he had remained grounded and surpassed the "big-headed stuff" that comes with being in a soap opera. Moloney celebrated his 15th year on ''Neighbours'' in 2010. Moloney said: "Fifteen years on the show is quite an achievement in my eyes." During an interview with entertainment website, Digital Spy, Moloney said "Like Toadie, I've literally grown up with ''Neighbours''. Since I started out as a tearaway teenager in the series, I've experienced many transformations." Moloney told ''What's on TV'' that he plans to stay in ''Neighbours'' until the producers decide that they no longer require his service. He also added "It's just the best job in the world. I turn up, I muck around, tell a few jokes and then go home." In 2015, Moloney celebrated his 20th anniversary with ''Neighbours''. Series producer Jason Herbison told ''Inside Soap'' that a major storyline was planned for Toadie, featuring returning characters connected to him.

Development

Characterisation

Toadie's nickname was derived from the toadfishes of Australia. The serial's official website described a young Toadie as "fun-loving, mischievous and the class clown." ''TV Week'' branded Toadie "another troubled-teen-turned-good" who was "fond of a practical joke". Soap opera reporting website, Holy Soap, said he was "initially a bit of a layabout" that "got his act together and qualified as a lawyer." He also observed him as coming in "as a rough bloke and now he's a nancy." Toadie is portrayed as an "unlucky in love character". He would often be played as the "third-wheel" alongside Billy Kennedy (Jesse Spencer), who was more popular with female characters. In 2003, Moloney said: "Billy always got the chicks and it annoyed me because I wanted a chance at pashing someone... and now it's all making up for lost time." Moloney said when Toadie is "not in love and when he's not heartbroken" he has the ability to do anything he wants.

Toadie's persona is similar to Moloney's in the sense that they both "mess around". He further added, "In fact he is me, seeing how much fun and frivolity I can get away with." Molony documented Toadie changing from "a bit of a bad boy" into a "lawyer who’s supposedly a responsible member of the community." He felt that, to begin with, Toadie was not a good lawyer, because many of his clients would receive prison sentences. On Toadie's professionalism, Moloney said he is the type of lawyer that "probably likes to take his pants off behind the desk."

Toadie's image has changed repeatedly during his tenure. When he first appeared in 1995, he had long hair. He used to style a mullet similar to Scott Robinson's ( Jason Donovan) hairstyle. Moloney jested that it appeared as though a possum was on his head. The character later sported a ponytail. When Moloney wanted to cut his hair, the writers chose to incorporate his decision into a storyline in which a "reluctant" Toadie offers to have his hair cut for charity.

Relationships

In one storyline Toadie and Connor O'Neill ( Patrick Harvey) decide to take part in local wrestling, where he meets Genevieve Doyle ( Lulu McClatchy). Moloney was required to train and learn wrestling routines in preparation for his scenes. He found it "physical and hard" to perform the stunts, without bringing any harm to himself or colleagues.

Toadie begins a relationship with old friend Steph Scully (Carla Bonner). Their relationship develops after Steph's marriage to Max Hoyland (Stephen Lovatt) falls apart. During an interview with ''What's on TV'', Bonner said they have been friends for years, "but it’s never extended beyond friendship until now." Bonner thought it was "inevitable" because they spent so much time together and he fitted into her life. She concluded "Toadie’s been a fantastic support to Steph, there every step of the way." They later become engaged. Describing the developments in Toadie and Steph's relationship during 2008, Dan Bennet speaking for Network Ten stated: "Steph has already agreed to a long engagement with Toadie, but she's not ready to marry. This relationship will reach a massive fork in the road early in the new year. Toadie will force Steph to decide what she wants from this relationship." Moloney said that considering Toadie's ill-fated association with weddings, he "should stay single forever. It's safer that way." Executive Producer Susan Bower said Toadie and Steph would always be "soul mates." Although she opined they did not have real love between them and there were other characters more suited to Steph.

In 2008, viewers saw Toadie trying to adopt an East Timorese orphan, after claiming that he had lived in Indonesia for 12 months. Producers decided to stop the storyline at the last minute and they introduced Callum Jones ( Morgan Baker) for Toadie instead. Of the axed storyline, Moloney said "I thought was just ridiculous. And it was just to spite Steph! I was like, 'What are we doing?'" To begin with Toadie is more of a brother figure to Callum. Moloney said this was because Toadie "has no idea what he is doing with kids and constantly gets angry and shouts at him first. He then thinks about his actions and tries to think how he can get through to him better." Bower was pleased with their progression. She said Toadie was "working incredibly well with Mini Me" Callum. Toadie becomes close to Callum's teacher, Kelly Katsis ( Katrina Milosevic). Though they date and kiss, nothing more happens between the pair. Moloney said that Toadie's newfound parental role had to come foremost to his own feelings. Moloney added "He's new to fatherhood and it's like baptism of fire." Though he did feel that Kelly would have been a good character to keep in Toadie's life. Callum started emulating certain characteristics of Toadie, Moloney said that he was like a young version of his character.

Sonya Mitchell

Toadie meets Sonya Mitchell ( Eve Morey) and they begin a relationship. Moloney told Holy Soap that Sonya is Toadie's "someone special" and that she is perfect for him. Of Sonya, Moloney said "She's funny and a little bit zany and really accepting and loving as well." However, their relationship ends when Toadie reveals that he is back together with Steph. Toadie leaves Sonya "heartbroken", though he keeps the fact it is a sham a secret. Toadie becomes torn when Sonya tells him she loves him, but he carries on the lie. Of the situation, Moloney said "Toadie is in love with Sonya, but he's had to give up the chance to follow his heart. Now we see that he really wants nothing more than to be able to tell her he loves her and that he wants to be with her – but he just can't." Toadie realises that Sonya still loves him when he notices she is still wearing the bracelet he gave her. Toadie becomes jealous of Sonya's new boyfriend David Foster (Ben Ridgwell). Sonya discovers that the wedding is a sham and the baby is not Toadie's. She agrees to wait for Toadie, but Steph's secret is revealed early and Sonya and Toadie decide to start their relationship over.

Callum wins tickets for a tropical cruise and he decides to give them to Toadie and Sonya. Toadie meets Eli Baker

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