Simon Fitzgerald (Home and Away)

Simon Fitzgerald
Occupation	Fictional character
Years active	1991–1992
Known for	Home and Away

Simon Fitzgerald is a fictional persona featured in the Australian television soap opera Home and Away, played by actor Richard Norton. His first appearance was on 25 September 1991. Norton secured the role shortly after his stint on the competing soap Neighbours. Simon is depicted as a playful character who delights in practical jokes. He was introduced alongside his father, the criminal Bill Fitzgerald (portrayed by Terry Bader), who soon deserted him. The writers paired Simon romantically with Sophie Simpson (played by Rebekah Elmaloglou) despite her being pregnant by another man. After one year, producers decided to remove Norton’s character, a decision that surprised him and led to his critique of how the show promoted other cast members. Simon’s final episode aired on 24 July 1992.

Casting

Prior to joining Home and Away, Richard Norton spent a year on the rival soap Neighbours portraying Ryan McLachlan. Transitioning to Home and Away altered his perspective on acting; while he considered the financial benefits of Neighbours the "best part," he valued the enjoyment of performing more at Home and Away. Norton was among a select group of actors who appeared in both series. His debut on Home and Away occurred on 25 September 1991.

Development

Kercher characterized Simon as the show's "resident heart-throb," whose "sun-kissed appearance" consistently attracts female attention. His "smooth manner" renders him highly appealing, complemented by his depiction as "dedicated and industrious," embodying a "model student" with an "outstanding academic record." Nevertheless, Simon also possesses a "mischievous streak," relishing in "intricate pranks" which his courteous demeanor helps him evade consequences. Norton described Simon from the beginning as a "joker," executing clever tricks without detection while charming female characters. He found playing Simon more comfortable and felt the character was both more memorable and relatable than his previous role in Neighbours.

Simon’s background involves losing his mother prior to relocating to Summer Bay, where his father Bill (Terry Bader) joins him. Initially suspicious of Bill’s intentions, Simon later uncovers that Bill has committed embezzlement. Following their estrangement, Simon moves in with Blake Dean (Les Hill), forming one of the show’s most popular on-screen partnerships. Norton and Hill developed strong chemistry, portraying their characters as the mischievous and humorous "Laurel and Hardy" duo of Summer Bay.

Simon embarks on a relationship with Sophie Simpson (Rebekah Elmaloglou), sharing several scripted kisses. Upon learning Sophie is pregnant by another man, Simon feigns paternity to provide her support—a storyline commended for its emotional complexity and depth. The truth eventually comes out, yet Simon continues to stand by Sophie, even rescuing her when she runs away and becomes homeless.

Subsequently, Toni Bryant (Kathryn Dufty) arrives in Summer Bay through an exchange program, immediately catching Simon’s attention. Initially mistaken for a boy due to her name, Toni’s arrival renews Simon’s optimism about relationships. Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) enforces strict household rules for them but ultimately acknowledges their maturity.

In 1992, producers opted to write out Norton’s character to concentrate on other actors such as Dieter Brummer and Matt Doran. Norton expressed surprise but accepted the decision professionally. Simon’s exit storyline involves accepting an invitation from his paroled father to live with him. Norton appreciated how the departure was handled without excessive drama, leaving open the possibility for a future comeback. Despite leaving Sophie behind, Simon remains deeply devoted to her.

Storylines

Simon enrolls at Summer Bay High and quickly forms friendships with Blake and Sophie. On his initial day, he amuses the class by attaching a pig drawing to the back of Lois Crawford (Tina Bursill). When Blake's guardians, Alf (Ray Meagher) and Ailsa Stewart (Judy Nunn), leave town temporarily, Simon persuades Blake to host two girls, Sharyn McKinley (Liza Witt) and Annette Hodges (Kylle Hogart), at their vacant home. Feeling insulted by being treated as easy targets, the girls hide a bra in the sofa for Alf and Ailsa to discover, but Simon convinces them to confess to the prank.

Simon's father Bill attempts to swindle the Stewarts, unveiling a past filled with dubious activities that led to their relocation from a previous town. After Bill strikes Simon for betraying him, he departs from Summer Bay. Simon declines to accompany him and remains with the Stewarts, who eventually agree to take him in permanently.

Attracted to Sophie, Simon convinces her to go on a date. Although they lose their train tickets home and face a fine, Sophie agrees to continue their relationship. Unknown to Simon, Sophie is pregnant by her deceased boyfriend David Croft (Guy Pearce). When Sophie's friend Finlay Roberts (Tina Thomsen) reveals this secret, Simon stands by Sophie and even pretends to be the father. However, David's sister Lou (Dee Smart) uncovers the ruse, causing Sophie to run away. Simon eventually locates her and brings her back, though Sophie's reliance on him creates tension between them.

Simon finds out that Bill was arrested for fraud but maintains faith in his innocence. With Bill refusing contact, Simon turns his attention to supporting Blake through his girlfriend Meg Bowman's (Cathy Godbold) battle with terminal leukaemia and subsequent death. The two friends participate in a competitive fun run, where Simon wins by cheating; Blake responds by withholding a rematch wager. They also aid Finlay's brother Damian in standing up against bully Tug O'Neale (Tristan Bancks), although Damian ultimately confronts Tug on his own. Inadvertently, they assist Ryan Lee in trying to win back Lucinda by displaying a nude painting she created of her fiancé during the fun run.

Simon uncovers Adam Cameron's (Mat Stevenson) "little black book" and invites one of the girls over but is caught by Alf and Ailsa. Adam retaliates with a prank involving a fictitious entry and an aggressive girl. Subsequently, Simon develops an interest in Toni, an exchange student from a farm staying with Alf and Ailsa. Despite Alf's unease, Simon helps Toni come to terms with her father Philip's (Vince Martin) engagement to Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons). Before Toni departs, Simon receives a letter from Bill, now paroled, asking him to live together; deciding to give his father another chance, Simon leaves a note for Alf and Ailsa before leaving.

Reception

Jenna Price of The Sydney Morning Herald characterized Simon as a "chivalrous" figure. Monroe from Inside Soap described him as "crafty." Both Brendon Williams of the Daily Mirror and Mike Taggart of the South Wales Echo observed that Norton was "a big hit" portraying Simon. Channel 5 (UK) selected the episode where Simon pretends to be Sophie's child's father among their favourite Home and Away episodes. An Inside Soap journalist referred to him as a "Home and Away heart-throb," while Rav Singh from News Group Newspapers called him "hunky Simon." A writer for BIG! magazine highlighted Simon’s search for homeless Sophie as the UK's top soap storyline that week. Sue Malins from the Daily Mirror described Simon as "a model student who looks like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth," while noting his enthusiasm for inventive and daring practical jokes.