Terence Donovan as Al Simpson.
Terence Donovan is a British-born Australian actor who played villain Al Simpson in 24 episodes in Home And Away from January to March 1990. Terence is a famous actor on Australian screens and his most famous role is that of Doug Willis[1] in Neighbours[2], the main rival show to Home And Away. Terence is the father of actor turned singer Jason Donovan [3] who played the famous character of Scott Robinson [4] in Neighbours from 1986 to 1989.
Pre Home And Away career
Terence Donovan was born on 28 October 1942 in London, England [5] He migrated with his brothers to Australia in the 1950s. Terence became an actor and had many TV roles prior to Neighbours and H&A. His son Jason Donovan became a Neighbours star and singer. Jason has never been offered a role in Home And Away despite his dad and former girlfriend Kylie Minogue's sister Dannii Minogue appearing on the show.
Home And Away 1990
Terence played the role of villainous Al Simpson in early 1990. He probably filmed the scenes in late 1989, ready for a Jan to March 1990 transmission due to H&A's advanced filming schedule. Tez played Al for 24 episodes.
After Home And Away
Terence Donovan as Doug Willis in Neighbours in 2014.
Terence joined the cast of Neighbours in April or May 1990 and his first scenes aired in July 1990. He played Doug Willis for 4 years from 1990 to 1994. He returned briefly in 2005 and twice in 2014. The character was killed off in 2016. Doug was a likeable family man, totally unlike Al Simpson.
In between his 1994 and 2005 and 2014-2016 stints, Terence also had roles in Blue Heelers [6] in 1999 for 3 episodes.
Ironically Terence's son Jason Donovan once sang the "Home And Away" theme tune at a concert.