Why didn't they replace Celia when she left.

[j.laur5]

I wonder why they didn't bring in a new older female character to fill the gap left by Celia..

They could have easily made Colleen a regular in 1990 or bring in Debra Stewart!.

Because we had a few older female characters who were guests like Patricia/Sue/Jean/Louis/Irene/Julian and Mrs Croft .

In fact the next older female character to become regular after Celia leaves is Irene and that was almost four years after Celia left.

[Jezz]

No idea why Ceila wasn't instantly replaced with another character of the same age but I do feel that her departure left a big void in the show during 1990, but the show recovered strongly in 1991 with strong storylines.

Colleen would have been an ideal replacement especially with her brief guest appearances in 1988 and 1989 but since Lance was no longer around by the time Ceila left she would have lacked a strong purpose on the show in my view. Anyhow at least Colleen was a regular from 1999 until 2012 so we got a good thirteen years of her on-screen.

I wouldn't have minded having Barbara Stewart made a permanent character or Debra could have been introduced as you suggested.

[j.laur5]

But Colleen didn't really have a strong purpose or family for most of her run until 2008, when she found out she was a Stewart!.

[Jezz]

Fair point and the show was much more character-driven and community based back in the day. Maybe the writers and producers felt the need to have a 'break' from a gossip-type character like Colleen after Celia left. I'm not sure what they were thinking at the time to be honest.

Looking back now, I think adding Colleen to the main cast in 1990 would have worked even if Martin and Lance were both gone by that year.

[beau_t]

Was it Fiona Spence's choice to leave, though?

I always got the impression the writers chose for Celia to leave as they were cutting down on older characters, which would explain why she wasn't replaced.

[Light of the Bay]

I for one hope Celia is never seen again after her pointless and out of character stint last year.

Colleen was used well from 1999-2004. Her history was explored and we ever met her long-lost daughter! Les returned and we also had her beautiful friendship with Max.

[j.laur5]

Yes it was her choice to leave!.

But why would they be cutting back on older characters, there was only 6 older characters in late 1989/early 1990.

I doubt an extra older character would break the bank.

[Jezz]

I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that Fiona left at her own accord rather than being axed by the producers due to moving on with other projects such as her theatre work with Priosner where she reprised the role of the infamous Vera Bennett.

[CaptainHulk]

When you think about it, a lot of people sort of got itchy feet in 1990, either early or late (Dannii Minogue, Adam Willits, Mouche Phillips, Julian McMahon, etc)

[Homeandawayfan.]

Fiona will always be Celia to me I hardly think of Vera when I think of Fiona.

1990 saw the departure of several originals and 1989 arrivals.