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Ben Ian Kirk (also Fitzgerald) is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', played by Felix Mallard. The character was previously played by Noah Sutherland, Sean Berends and Blake O'Leary. He made his first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 14 December 2001. Ben is the son of Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) and Drew Kirk (Dan Paris). Ben and Libby departed Ramsay Street in 2003, after Libby decided to moved to Shepparton with Darren Stark (Todd MacDonald). The family returned briefly in 2004 and in 2007, they returned permanently. Ben departed ''Neighbours'' on 2 September 2010. In March 2014, it was announced that Ben would return with Mallard cast in the role. He made his screen return on 11 June 2014. The character made a permanent return from 23 July 2015 and moved in with his grandparents. ==Development== In 2001, Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) gave birth to her and husband, Drew Kirk's (Dan Paris) son. The birth placed Libby's life in danger and she was rushed to intensive care with blood loss. Paris said "All their worst fears are realised, they both knew the birth would be risky for both Libby and the child – and while the baby is alright, Libby is still fighting for her life".〔 Libby makes a recovery and she is allowed to hold her son for the first time. Valentine said "It's a wonderful moment when Libby holds her new-born baby".〔 Off set, Valentine and Paris both bonded with Noah Sutherland who played their on-screen baby. Valentine told ''TV Week'' that Sutherland was "a complete natural" and that she had bonded with him "straight away".〔 Paris admitted that he was a little nervous around the baby, saying "Working with Noah has been quite daunting – it's unfamiliar territory to me.〔 Libby and Drew struggle to name their new son and after a debate, they decide on Ben.〔 Valentine revealed that she asked the producers to name the baby Ben after a close friend of hers who had died a few years before.〔 Ben's middle name, Ian, is a tribute to ''Neighbours'' writer Ian Coughlan. The couple were then seen arguing over Ben's surname, with Libby unconvinced that Ben should be a Kirk.〔 They later decide that he should be Ben K, until they resolve the situation.〔 Following a brief appearance in 2004, the character and his mother returned permanently in 2007. Blake O'Leary originally auditioned for the role of Mickey Gannon, but his elder brother Fletcher O'Leary was handed the role instead. A few months later auditions for the character of Ben Kirk came up and O'Leary was cast in the role.〔 Network Ten describe Ben as being "his mother's biggest supporter and her rock" following his father's death. They also say that Ben is a "loyal friend".〔 In August 2010, it was announced that O'Leary and Ben would be leaving the show in September. Of the reason for Ben's departure, a spokesperson said "The Ben character is younger than the other main kids, Sophie and Callum. They are now in high school, but Ben is still in junior school, so it was tricky to come up with storylines which involve all the kids". On 11 March 2014, it was announced that the character would be returning to ''Neighbours'' with Felix Mallard in the role. Ben comes back to Erinsborough with Libby, and their return will coincide with the Kennedy family's 20th anniversary on the show. Mallard said that his first impression of Ben was that he was "a pretty chilled-out country sort of kid, and he then comes to Erinsborough and gets into a bit of trouble..."〔 Mallard reprised the role in July 2015, and Ben moved in with his grandparents Karl (Alan Fletcher) and Susan (Jackie Woodburne) on Ramsay Street. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Ben Kirk」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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