Lance Smart

Lance Smart
Occupation	Fictional character
Known for	Home and Away

Lance Smart is a fictional persona featured in the Australian soap opera Home and Away, broadcast on the Channel Seven, and portrayed by actor Peter Vroom. Making his debut in the series' inaugural episode, Lance is depicted as a "slow-witted" larrikin and frequently serves as the show's comedic figure. He partners on-screen with Martin Dibble (played by Craig Thomson), together functioning as the main source of humor within the series. Both performers acknowledged that their characters were exaggerated and not accurate reflections of youth, partly due to extensive censorship. Lance's narrative includes his overbearing mother, Colleen Smart (Lyn Collingwood), and a significant romantic storyline involving Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons), which leads to an engagement that ultimately dissolves when Lance decides against marriage. The Daily Record labeled Lance and Martin as the "thickest characters ever to grace soapland."

When producer Andrew Howie shifted focus to introduce new characters, both Vroom and Thomson were written out; Vroom completed filming in March 1990, with his final appearance broadcast on 11 April. He later returned intermittently under guest contracts between 2000 and 2006, making several short stints, the last occurring on 1 December 2006.

Characterisation and relationships

Peter Vroom secured the role of Lance following his completion of training at the Australian Theatre for Young People, marking his first television role. Lance is characterized by his lack of intelligence and slow thinking. Vroom described Lance to Inside Soap as a caricature who was "never very successful at anything," primarily serving as comic relief. His on-screen partnership with Martin Dibble (Craig Thomson) has been likened to a Home and Away version of the classic comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. Both are portrayed as socially awkward, unpopular with women, and identified as "yobbos and larrikins" employed at an oyster farm. They share antagonism with figures such as Donald Fisher (Norman Coburn), who expels them from the cadet corps. Their rivalry also extends to local "surfie" men who attract more female attention. Lance admires Martin’s success with women.

Thomson highlighted that their exaggerated personas made them stand out, while Vroom noted that their roles rarely involved serious scenes due to their comedic nature. Vroom criticized their scripts for lacking authenticity in depicting youth behavior, a sentiment shared by critics. Thomson explained that early evening broadcast restrictions led to censorship; he added that without these limitations, Lance and Martin would engage in more mature conduct but supported the necessity for responsible programming aimed at younger audiences. Vroom also remarked on his height making Lance appear unusually tall on screen and admitted to frequently breaking into laughter during filming. When questioned about being typecast as a "dingbat," Vroom embraced the role, expressing affection for Lance because "he is part of me."

Lance is portrayed as a devoted son to Colleen Smart (Lyn Collingwood), who frequently exerts pressure on him to follow her plans. His romantic involvement with Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons) ended unsuccessfully. Even two decades later, Colleen remains wary of Marilyn for having hurt her son. The couple became engaged and shopped for a wedding dress. Their engagement followed several disputes but was initiated by Lance's unexpected proposal. Symons explained that Marilyn fully embraced the engagement, purchasing a dress and renovating Lance’s home. However, Symons later recalled that Lance ended their relationship before they could marry.

Departure and returns

Although the actor's contract was due to conclude in February 1990, he was notified in 1989 that it would not be extended. Producer Andrew Howie opted not to renew contracts for either Thomson or Vroom, intending to introduce fresh characters instead. Howie told Brown (TV Week) that their roles had been thoroughly explored and that the series held greater promise with new cast members for the 1990 season. Vroom completed his final scenes in March 1990. Following his exit from Summer Bay, Lance advances to the rank of army sergeant and settles in Townsville. Both Lance and Martin featured in the 1991 stage production, Home and Away: The Musical, with Thomson reprising Martin and Andrew Lawden portraying Lance.

Vroom returned to filming in 2000 for a storyline where Lance attends the wedding of Sally Fletcher (Kate Ritchie) and Kieran Fletcher (Spencer McLaren). Vroom remarked that Lance had matured and gained respect within the army, although his romantic life remained complicated. He described revisiting the character as demanding because Lance had evolved, comparing it to "editing an old character." The show contracted Vroom for additional appearances later that year, and he expressed interest in a more regular comeback. He reappeared in 2002 during the show's fourteenth anniversary celebrations. Off-screen, Lance became a father to baby Maggie. He returned once more in 2005 for Home and Away's 4000th episode, arriving to celebrate Alf Stewart's (Ray Meagher) birthday.

Storylines

Lance and Martin rescue Carly Morris (Sharyn Hodgson) from drowning, but she inadvertently causes them to crash their van. Clive, Donald's brother, dismisses them from the oyster farm; in retaliation, they place a jellyfish in Donald’s car. They bully Nico Pappas (Nicholas Papademetriou), who has a disability, coercing him into spraying manure on Donald’s lawn. Donald forces Lance to clean up the mess, and Alf prohibits them from purchasing alcohol. Martin persuades Lance to brew their own liquor. After Tom Fletcher (Roger Oakley) is dismissed, Lance and Martin organize a strike. Later, Lance gets Donald’s cat intoxicated on their homemade brew and hides it until it recovers. Lance drills a hole in the caravan park shower block to spy on Dawn (Jenny Cook), causing conflict when her boyfriend discovers it. Lance and Martin spread rumors that Carly is involved with science teacher Andrew Foley (Peter Bensley), damaging his reputation.

Carly purchases a lottery ticket for Lance, which wins him half a million dollars. He uses the money to buy a mobile home within the caravan park. His father, Les (Kevin Golsby), steals $50,000 and leaves Colleen heartbroken; she moves in with Lance, who is reluctant to have her there. Lance acquires a new car but it is stolen due to Martin’s carelessness, straining their friendship. When Colleen shows interest in dating Donald, Lance spikes Donald’s drink but Celia Stewart (Fiona Spence) accidentally consumes it. Lance attempts to keep them apart. After being conned by Gary Samuels (Darius Perkins), Lance invests in a nightclub that doesn’t exist. Alison Patterson (Kathryn Ridley) manipulates him into buying her a dress, limousine rides, and a toy car before he decides to give away his money.

Feeling lonely when Martin starts dating someone, Lance runs away unnoticed and returns claiming he has a girlfriend named Marilyn. He hides Dodge (Kelly Dingwall) from the police but fears legal consequences. Marilyn arrives in Summer Bay; despite doubts, she stays following a boating accident involving Lance. When Marilyn dates Martin, Lance evicts Martin from his home. He pays Bobby Simpson (Nicolle Dickson) to hire Marilyn at the Diner; after Bobby fires her, Morag Bellingham (Cornelia Frances) employs her instead. Marilyn ends things with Lance under Morag’s influence but they reconcile; Lance tries unsuccessfully to force her out of her job before eventually ending their relationship.

Lance joins a band managed by Nina Olivera (Raquel Suarstzman), who exploits him financially until Morag renegotiates his contract fairly. Marilyn distances herself from the band due to image concerns; Lance grows suspicious of Nina’s manipulation and sabotages performances, leading to the band being dropped and angering both Martin and Marilyn. He then launches a hotdog business with Celia; after initial setbacks and regulatory issues, Celia pretends to collapse to teach them a lesson. Torn about marrying Marilyn amid ongoing difficulties, Lance ultimately chooses to join the army after Martin leaves town for service. He departs as a sergeant stationed in Townsville, Queensland, leaving Marilyn behind.

Ten years later, Lance returns for Sally’s 21st birthday celebration. He assists in rescuing refugees and reveals he has been discharged from the army and married Debbie Smart (Kelly Butler), whom Colleen dislikes. After an argument causes Colleen to faint, Debbie accuses her of faking it but Lance recognizes its seriousness. Following Colleen’s recovery, Lance and Debbie leave again. He next appears at Sally’s wedding to Kieran Fletcher, reconnecting with Martin; they celebrate Kieran’s stag night but later support Sally after Kieran’s infidelity is uncovered. The following year, Lance returns with daughter Maggie amid a separation from Debbie; they reconcile before departing once more.

Lance comes back for Summer Bay’s 150th anniversary celebrations; during a storm, he joins others searching for shipwrecked residents. Later believing Colleen has become wealthy from a book she supposedly authored—later disproven—Lance and Debbie depart again. He makes occasional appearances at significant events including Sally’s wedding to Flynn Saunders (Joel McIlroy), Sally’s daughter’s christening (where he serves as godfather), Pippa and Alf’s 60th birthday party, and Colleen’s Nativity play in 2006. Years later, Colleen reveals that Lance and Debbie are relocating to Las Vegas; she accepts an invitation to join them.

Reception

Before the pilot episode was broadcast, Lucy Clark of The Sydney Morning Herald characterized Lance and Martin as "two surfie blokes who are thick as two short planks." A columnist from the Daily Record referred to them as the "most dim-witted characters ever to appear in soapland." Jason Herbison of Inside Soap portrayed Lance as a "charming prankster." Clive Hopwood, writing for Home and Away Special, highlighted Lance's limited intellect, remarking that he struggled with simple tasks such as "knowing which way round to sit on a bicycle," and noted that both Lance and Martin primarily served as comic relief through their "madcap" and "utterly disastrous" escapades. Sarah Thomas from The Sun-Herald described Lance as a "lovable halfwit." Jason Herbison, in All About Soap, observed that the "dopey yet endearing Lance from the early days" was unforgettable.

A contributor to TV Life labeled Lance and Martin as "our favourite local dags," puzzled by why nearby surfers attracted more attention, adding that Lance was the "less intelligent" of the pair. In November 2021, three critics from The West Australian placed Lance at number 23 in their list of "Top 50 heroes we love and villains we hate" from Home and Away, noting that Lance and Martin functioned as the show's comedic duo reminiscent of Laurel and Hardy. Lawrie Masterton of TV Week described them as "a couple of fairly harmless beach oafs."

Regarding his portrayal, a journalist from the Stornoway Gazette and West Coast Advertiser dubbed Vroom a "Home and Away heart-throb," whereas Jim Hayes from the New Ross Standard disagreed, calling Lance "perhaps the most unlikely pin-up in television history" and critiquing his singing abilities. Alison Bain of the Glenrothes Gazette summarized him simply as "luckless Lance." Sheil from the Enniscorthy Guardian labeled him "Lance the lovable yobbo" and a "dingbat," emphasizing that Vroom’s genial public image made Lance a "super anti-hero" among fans.

External links

• Character profile at the Internet Movie Database