Christopher in 2003 (played by Rian McLean)
Christopher Daniel Fletcher (born 22nd August 1988)* is the only child from Pippa Fletcher's first marriage to Tom. Although he was a recurring character on the show, he never became part of the main cast. He was the first openly gay character in the show and one of the few LGBT characters who has ever appeared on it.
Christopher was played by Ashleigh Bell-Weir in 1988, then by Dylan McCready (1988-1992), Shaun Wood (1992-1998) and Rian McLean in 2003.
Biography[]
| Christopher Fletcher | |
|---|---|
Character Profile
| |
| Birthday: | 22nd August 1986 (originally 1988) |
| Birthplace: | Summer Bay |
| Father: | Tom Fletcher |
| Mother: | Pippa Fletcher |
| Siblings: | Dale Ross (half) Sally Fletcher (adoptive) Un-named half-sister |
| Spouse: | Unknown |
| Children: | Unknown |
| Occupation: | Unknown |
| Played By: | Ashleigh Bell-Weir (1988) Dylan McCready (1988-1992) Shaun Wood (1992-1998) Rian McLean (2003) |
1988-2003[]
1994, played by Shaun Wood
Christopher was an unexpected pregnancy for his parents Tom and Pippa. Pippa had been diagnosed with an underlying health condition which meant that pregnancy carried significant risks for her. This was what brought her and Tom down the path of fostering instead. Despite the significant risks, Pippa opted to continue with her pregnancy and gave birth to Chris in 1988. Tragically, he never got to know Tom because of his premature death in 1990.
Chris was later adopted by Michael Ross who married Pippa in 1991. He can be heard referring to Michael as "Dad" in some episodes in the mid 1990's. He became friends with Duncan Stewart who was a little bit younger than him. In 1996 Chris lost the only father he'd even known when Michael was drowned.
In the latter half of 1997 Pippa met Ian Routledge and began a relationship with him. In early 1998. she decided to go travelling with Ian and left the Bay with Christopher. Off-screen she became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter. She wisely settled down with Ian far far away from Summer Bay.
Chris wasn't seen again until 2003 when he returned with Pippa to attend Sally and Flynn's wedding. Now a teenager, Chris had realised he was gay but was still coming to terms with his sexuality. After some misunderstandings with Nick Smith and Seb Miller were resolved, he left again with Pippa.
1991, Dylan McCready
Memorable info[]
Birthday: 22nd August 1986
Full Name: Christopher Daniel Fletcher
Last Line: "Yeah, I will. Guess I'll see you again when I'm back in the bay, eh? See ya later." (to Seb and Nick)
* Christopher was born in 1988 but like his contemporary Duncan Stewart, he has fallen victim to SORAS (Soap Opera Rapid Ageing Syndrome). On his return in 2003 he was two years older.
In a January 2022 interview with the Talking Prisoner Cell Block H Podcast, Debra Lawrance was asked the age-old question about Pippa returning to Home and Away. Along with her usual No answer, she suggested that it might be time to bring Christopher back as an adult. He is now the same age as many of the other current cast members.
Family[]
Father Tom Fletcher
Mother Pippa Ross
Siblings Dale Ross, Sally Fletcher (adoptive), un-named half-sister