Stingray Timmins
Scott "Stingray" Timmins | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Fictional character |
| Years active | 2004–2007 (Neighbours) |
| Known for | Character on Neighbours |
Scott "Stingray" Timmins is a character created for the Australian soap Neighbours, brought to life by actor Ben Nicholas. His first appearance aired on 11 March 2004, with his character introduced as the cousin of Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney). Nicholas received a nomination for a Logie Award in the Best New Talent category for this role.
Casting
Ben Nicholas became part of the Neighbours cast in 2004, starting filming merely three days after successfully auditioning. Moving from Adelaide to Melbourne marked his initial significant television engagement. Nicholas described joining the show as "a dream come true".
In October 2006, it was publicized that Nicholas would be departing from Neighbours, shortly after fellow actor Damien Bodie announced his exit. Nicholas completed filming his concluding scenes in November.
Development
Scott was introduced as the youthful cousin of established character Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney). Nicholas characterized Scott as somewhat foolish, similar to Toadie, full of vitality and often irritating others, yet possessing an undeniable charm. Scott’s first scene involves him running naked across a football field, where trainee police officer Stuart Parker (Blair McDonough) apprehends him after losing patience when Scott talks back. Toadie takes responsibility for Scott, who then moves in with Toadie and Stuart pending a court hearing. Nicholas explained that Scott’s family hopes Toadie will help reform him since he has become difficult to manage. Soon after arriving on Ramsay Street, Scott runs away with some camera gear and a skateboard. Nicholas noted Scott suffers from a medical condition that partly accounts for his conduct.
Storylines
While watching a football match on television, Toadfish Rebecchi notices his cousin Scott streaking across the field. Following Scott’s arrest, Stuart Parker is assigned to supervise him. Toadie invites Scott to live with him. Scott develops feelings for Serena Bishop (Lara Sacher), who insists they keep their relationship platonic. Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) suspects Scott may have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and arranges for testing. Karl’s wife, Susan (Jackie Woodburne), provides tutoring support. At court, it emerges that Scott has two prior convictions and is on his last chance; Toadie agrees to act as his legal guardian.
Scott continues to pursue Serena, who eventually consents to a date. Their picnic is disrupted by Stuart and Jack Scully (Jay Bunyan), causing Serena embarrassment and hurting Scott’s feelings. His enthusiasm on his first day at school makes it difficult for him to fit in. When Toadie disappears, Scott struggles with acceptance and lashes out at Serena by hitting her while pushing her away. Without Toadie’s presence, the Kennedys take Scott in. He rekindles his relationship with Serena and celebrates when Stuart and Sindi Watts (Marisa Warrington) locate Toadie. Feeling out of place within the family, Scott receives a fish nickname from Toadie—a Rebecchi tradition—and becomes known as Stingray. After breaking up with Serena, Stingray spends increased time with Boyd Hoyland (Kyal Marsh).
Stingray’s mother, Janelle (Nell Feeney), arrives revealing that Stingray’s father has abandoned them. Stingray leaves with Janelle but returns after discovering a note from Serena; Janelle consents to take him back. Stingray attempts to win Serena’s affection again but encounters Sharon "Shazza" Cox (Emily Wheaton), who later ends their relationship after using him to provoke jealousy in her boyfriend. Stingray reconciles with Serena until learning she kissed Boyd, leading to their breakup.
Coping with Serena’s death in a plane crash, Stingray forms a bond with Rachel Kinski (Caitlin Stasey). Rachel kisses him, but he declines due to her youth. Confused and working at Scarlet Bar, Stingray develops an alcohol dependency. After Sky Mangel (Stephanie McIntosh) breaks up with Dylan Timmins, she and Stingray sleep together. Stingray confesses his love to Rachel; they date until Sky reveals her pregnancy and Rachel ends their relationship. He relapses into drinking, while Sky suspects he might be the father.
Stingray’s grandmother, Loris (Kate Fitzpatrick), confronts him about his drinking problem and takes him to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting; however, he leaves shortly after she departs.
When Sky is hospitalized, Stingray attempts to visit but is denied access by her roommate Teresa Cammeniti (Hannah Greenwood). Distressed, he resumes drinking until found by Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) and taken back home to Janelle, Janae, Bree, and Rachel. He escapes to the hospital where he takes Sky’s daughter, Kerry, before passing out. Rachel and Bree find him but Kerry remains missing. Several days later Kerry is left at Number 24’s doorstep after Dylan finds Stingray; Elle Robinson returns Kerry to Sky once it is revealed Dylan is the father.
Stingray stops drinking, reconciles with Dylan, and begins dating Sky. When Kerry is diagnosed with leukemia, Stingray matches as a bone marrow donor; he undergoes successful surgery which aids her recovery. The Timmins family holds a street party for Janelle’s birthday where Stingray suddenly collapses after dancing and dies. His heart is donated to Caleb Maloney (Nick Russell). Following the funeral service, Stingray’s ashes are scattered at his favorite skate park.
Reception
In 2005, Nicholas earned a nomination for the Logie Award for Most Popular New Male Talent due to his role as Stingray, as well as a Best Newcomer nod at the Inside Soap Awards. Later, in 2008, he was recognized with a nomination for Best Exit at the Digital Spy Soap Awards. Additionally, in 2015, a journalist from the Herald Sun highlighted Stingray's death as one of "Neighbours' 30 most unforgettable moments."