The Canberra Times TV Guide - 22 November 1993

Thanks to sarapettarini

Home from home By NICOLE LEEDHAM

SINCE the demise of E Street, Simon Baker Denny seems to be popping up all over the place – A Country Practice, GP and now Home and Away.

Denny’s eight-week stint on the popular Prime soap began on Friday, when he appeared as James Healy and stole the heart of Roxy (Lisa Lackey).

“We have a passionate, romantic affair, then I leave - one of those seen it before, done it before kind of things, "Denny told The Guide.

The timing of the role was perfect for Denny, 23, who’s been kept busy over the past few months with the birth of his daughter, Stella Breeze, and revelling in family life with Stella’s mother, actress Rebecca Rigg.

"They offered me a part earlier in the year but I wasn’t available,” he said.

“This one came up at the right time and I said ‘sure, no problem’.

"The baby was the main reason I wasn’t working so much.”

Although Denny shot to stardom as the affable cop, Sam Farrell, in E Street he hasn’t let success get in the way of his family.

“Being an actor, you have to maintain a sane, secure home because you get so many knocks. You’re always under the microscope when you’re working.

"You need a secure home and a loving relationship and your career comes second.”

The eight-week Home and Away stint is perfect for Denny because it is long enough to get involved in the character (and pay some bills), but short enough to avoid type-casting problems.

And the future?

“There’s a few things in the air but I feel like I kind of curse myself if I talk about them,” he said.

“I never believe in anything until I’m actually on the set.”