Gary Canning
Gary Canning is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Damien Richardson. He made his first appearance during the episode broadcast on 7 November 2014. Richardson previously appeared in the show in 1992. Following his first stint as Gary, Richardson reprised the role in late 2015 and returned the following year in a regular capacity. Gary is portrayed as an easy-going, work shy bogan. He was introduced as the estranged father of Kyle Canning, and his early storylines focused on his attempts to reconnect with his family. After accepting money from Paul Robinson to beat Ezra Hanley, Gary was sent to prison.
A year later, the character was reintroduced, and he was reunited with his mother and teenage daughter. Gary's relationship with Terese Willis has faced several obstacles, including the return of his former partner Brooke Butler, Terese's cancer diagnosis and infidelity. Others storylines have seen Gary arrested for assault, a feud with Karl Kennedy, and financial difficulties. The character was killed off on 20 March 2020. Bridget McManus from The Sydney Morning Herald has praised Richardson in the role, but thought he was "underutilised", while other critics have expressed their sympathy for Gary.
Casting
On 15 October 2014, Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy reported that the estranged father of established character Kyle Canning, would soon be introduced for a guest stint. Kilkelly confirmed that the character's scenes had already been filmed and his presence would "shake up life for the popular Canning family." Richardson's casting as Gary was announced on 3 November. He had previously appeared in Neighbours in the guest role of Kim White in 1992.Development
Characterisation and early storylines
The official website describes Gary as being "an easy-going likeable bloke who enjoys nothing more than lazy afternoons at the pub with a few mates, or long days with a fishing rod at some quiet spot." Gary also enjoys getting to know new people, and often uses his sense of humour to ease tense social situations. Although he is skilled as a handyman, Gary dislikes hardwork and will try to take short cuts to make easy money. In 2016, Gary takes up pigeon racing as a hobby. Richardson joked that the birds were great to work with. He also said Gary was doing his best to stay out of prison, saying that for now, "Gary's on the straight and narrow".In his fictional backstory, Gary walked out on his family when Kyle was only eight years old, and he did not see or speak to his son for sixteen years. When Gary asks his mother Sheila Canning for money, Kyle's wife Georgia Brooks contacts him and asks that he visit Kyle, who has longed for a relationship with his father. Milligan explained that if he was in Kyle's shoes he would want answers as to why Gary left the family and did not attempt to contact him. When Gary and Kyle come face-to-face, Kyle is not sure if he should hit or hug his father. Milligan explained, "Kyle has really wanted his dad to come back and be part of his life for so long, but when he does, he doesn't know how he is feeling or how to react with his emotions. It's going to be a bit of a shake-up, but hopefully it works out for them!" Milligan praised Richardson's casting, believing that his portrayal of Gary showed viewers where Kyle inherited his "bogan and larrikin attitude from". He added that there were a few similarities between Gary and Kyle, like their stupidity and their jobs as handymen, which made them "a great father-son mix". As well as Kyle and Sheila, Gary is also reunited with his sister Naomi Canning.
Naomi tires of Sheila's "blatant favouritism" of Gary, and tries to get him to reveal an event from his "dark past" that they both know about. It soon emerges that Gary carried out an assault on Ezra Hanley in exchange for money from Paul Robinson. As Gary prepares to leave town, Sheila confronts him and asks him to give himself up to the police, but Gary flees the house. Sheila suffers a heart attack, which Naomi initially blames herself for causing. But when Gary arrives at the hospital, he soon admits that he and Sheila had a big argument after she learned that he attacked Ezra. Naomi is "furious" with her brother, so she tells Kyle that the real reason Gary walked out on his family all those years ago was because he took part in a robbery and went on the run. A devastated Kyle then calls the police on his father. Shortly before Gary is taken to jail, Sheila comes to visit him at the police station. She blames herself for how he has turned out, but Gary assures her that she is a great mother. Gary is "delighted" when Kyle eventually walks in and they say their goodbyes.
Reintroduction
In October 2015, Mann hinted that a member of the Canning family would be returning to the show. The following day, it was confirmed that Richardson had reprised the role of Gary and had returned to filming, with Gary's return set to air in early 2016. Ahead of his reappearance, Gary's teenage daughter Xanthe Canning was introduced. Xanthe was unaware that her father was in prison when she arrived in Erinsborough. When Kyle rejects a visiting order from Gary, Xanthe asks Sheila to take her to the jail to see him instead. Things are initially awkward, but Xanthe is delighted to be reunited with her father. Gary then reveals that he could be getting out of prison soon, and Sheila invites him to live with them once he is released. When Kyle learns of the invitation, he visits Gary and explains his concerns for Xanthe, who he feels needs people in her life who are going to stay around and look after her. Sheila is soon informed that Gary has been involved in a fight with another inmate and his parole will no longer be processed, leading her to realise that Gary started the fight on purpose.Gary returned on 14 June 2016. He shows up in the prison yard just as Paul Robinson is close to being beaten up by the other inmates, who want protection money from him. Dennis called it "an interesting twist" as it seems Gary is coming to his rescue, while Paul is the reason Gary is in prison in the first place. He continued, "They have a strained relationship, so I don't know if Gary will want to help Paul..." Paul asks for Gary's help in keeping him safe, but Gary does not want to, so Paul tries to con him and Sheila into helping. Gary later has "a confusing conversation" with Paul, that leads Paul to think that Gary has got his back. However, Gary refuses to help Paul, as he has just been granted parole. Paul later ends up in the hospital after being badly assaulted. Richardson wanted to explore Gary and Paul's time in prison further, and thought it would have been fun if they were put in the same cell.
A couple of months after Gary returns home, Xanthe accuses her classmate Cooper Knights of sexually assaulting her. Cooper is later attacked and Gary becomes the prime suspect, which later leads to his arrest. Richardson admitted that Gary was "definitely capable" of committing the attack, going by his history. Richardson told an Inside Soap writer, "He's very frustrated with the way the school is dealing with the issue, and he thinks he can handle it in a much more immediate way." Despite having an alibi from Paul for the time of Cooper's attack, it soon emerges that Cooper was assaulted 15 minutes earlier than the police first thought, meaning Gary is back on top of their suspects list. Richardson explained that all the evidence points toward Gary, and if he is found guilty then his parole will be revoked and he will go back to prison. The actor added, "things are looking very bleak indeed at this point." Ben Kirk later learns that it was Cooper's mother who attacked him, and Xanthe is grateful to him for saving Gary from returning to prison.
Relationship with Terese Willis
In August 2016, Gary was romantically paired with Terese Willis. Gary begins interacting with Terese more when he is paid by Paul to steal her strategy file for the upcoming sale of Lassiters Hotel. Gary goes along with Paul's plan, as he is cash-strapped. Gary soon develops feelings for Terese, and Richardson thought Gary was "batting well above his average". He explained, "Any man that thinks he has the chance of attracting a woman out of his league; you know it's hard to say no. She represents someone who Gary wouldn't have seen himself being with. I mean she owns something. She's corporate." The actor also said Gary feels bad about lying and deceiving Terese, but he has found himself in an awkward situation. Gary has been forced into choosing "the wrong course of action." Gary wins a pigeon race organised by Terese and uses the prize money to clear his debt with Paul. Terese later offers him a job at the hotel, but rescinds the offer when Gary's pigeon is disqualified for doping. Xanthe later admits that she accidentally drugged the bird, which Terese finds amusing and she "spontaneously" asks Gary out to dinner. However, Gary becomes involved in a family matter and stands Terese up, leaving Paul to take his place.Gary and Terese continue to get closer, and Sheila attempts to give him advice on how to win Terese over. Instead, Gary bonds with Terese over parental challenges and she invites him to have coffee with her. Gary tells Terese how he would seduce and kiss her, which gets Terese "all hot and bothered." But she worries about Gary's past and her reputation, and decides that their relationship should stay professional. However, she later kisses him, and he kisses her back. Terese is adamant their relationship should stay a secret and Gary agrees to respect her wishes. When Terese learns the man who was responsible for her son's death has been released from jail, she turns to Gary for support. They soon share a kiss, which Paul witnesses. Shortly before the Canning family's appearance on Family Feud, Xanthe accidentally reveals that Gary is dating Terese. An argument between Sheila and Gary plays out in front of the cameras. Sheila is "furious" with the news, as Terese is her boss. Not long after, Xanthe's mother Brooke Butler comes to Erinsborough. She grows jealous of Gary's relationship with Terese, and she pretends that she still has feelings for Gary.
Gary reconciles with Brooke, but Xanthe suspects that her mother is planning on scamming him. She warns her father, but Gary assures her that he would know if Brooke was planning on conning him. Brooke later persuades Gary to give her his Family Feud winnings by claiming the jewellery she has sold to the neighbours is being held at Customs. Brooke leaves town when it emerges that the jewellery she sold was fake. Gary and Terese get back together, but their relationship is threatened by Brooke's reappearance. Terese is "horrified" when the Cannings allow Brooke to stay with them. She soon suspects that Gary is cheating on her when she notices their secretive conversations. Gary explains that he is trying to help Brooke reunite with her daughter Jessie, but Terese feels she cannot trust him and ends their relationship. A love triangle develops when Brooke realises she loves Gary, but Gary insists that he loves Terese. Brooke then encourages Gary to propose to Terese, believing that she will reject him and Gary will give up on their relationship. Brooke's plan backfires when Gary and Terese reconcile, and Terese accepts Gary's proposal.
Gary and Terese's relationship is strained when she is diagnosed with breast cancer. Terese initially keeps her diagnosis and treatment from Gary and her daughter, Piper Willis. Gary becomes concerned about her odd behaviour and suspects she is either pregnant or has relapsed into alcoholism, until Terese tells him and Piper about her diagnosis. Elmaloglou said Gary becomes "very supportive" during Terese's treatment. Gary seeks alternative treatments for Terese when her chemotherapy fails, and he later asks her incarcerated brother Nick Petrides for his help. When Terese learns that her tumours have shrunk, she tells Paul first and they have sex. She returns home to a surprise engagement party organised by Gary. Elmaloglou told Johnathon Hughes of the Radio Times that Terese and Paul have "a shared, spontaneous moment", but she does feel guilty about cheating on Gary. Elmaloglou added, "She knows how much Gary loves her and, despite what she's just done, she loves Gary too." The actress wanted Terese to marry Gary and gain some stability in her life.
During their wedding ceremony, Terese admits to Gary that she cheated on him with Paul. Elmaloglou commented that Gary is "absolutely devastated and in shock. And he's angry, too..." Gary returns to work, but finds that the Lassiters Hotel staff are gossiping about his failed wedding to Terese. Gary is later asked to throw away a couch from Terese's office and Paul reveals that it is the couch that he and Terese had sex on. On the advice on his co-worker, Gary decides to get revenge on Terese by publicly humiliating her at the Lassiters complex re-opening ceremony. He places the couch in the middle of the new walkway and writes "Cheater" on it.