Viewers tuning into a 10 News report on Monday were surprised to see a familiar face.
During a segment on a shark attack in Sydney during which a woman was seriously injured, a NSW paramedic appeared on the screen to discuss her injuries.
That paramedic was one Andrew Bibby – a former actor who turned his back on the limelight to pursue a more noble path.
Andrew famously starred on soap opera Neighbours as Lance Wilkinson between 1995 and 2001.
The 44-year-old has since returned for brief stints in 2005, 2018, 2022 and 2023 as well as appearing in high profile series like the Underbelly series.
But these days, Andrew is much more likely spotted in the back of an ambulance tending to a patient or on scene at an accident.
Viewers tuning into a 10 News report on Monday were surprised to see a familiar face. During a segment on a shark attack in Sydney, a NSW paramedic appeared on the screen to discuss her injuries. That paramedic was one Andrew Bibby (pictured) – a former actor
Andrew previously joked that he’s now known as ‘Ambo Lance’ and says his acting background helped him in his new career, which he’s been in for over a decade.
‘Being able to act like I know what is going on, like I’ve seen it all before and that everything is okay, actually comes in quite handy,’ he told the Daily Telegraph.
‘I do know what’s going on, by the way. As paramedics we improvise a lot, like in acting’ he joked.
Andrew says that he is still frequently recognised on the job, particularly by Neighbours-loving English tourists.
‘They will get quite excited when they realise who I am and sometimes look around for the cameras, thinking it is a hoax,’ he said.
‘I like to think that if a patient can recognise me and want to talk about Neighbours and my former career, then they are not on death’s door and things aren’t too bad.’
It comes after Neighbours crew broke their silence on the show’s fate after news emerged the Aussie soap has been axed for the second time.
Posts were shared on the show’s Facebook and Instagram confirming that the beloved Australian soap opera would be leaving screens from December 2025.
Andrew famously starred on soap opera Neighbours as Lance Wilkinson between 1995 and 2001. The 44-year-old has since returned for brief stints in 2005, 2018, 2022 and 2023 as well as appearing in high profile series like the Underbelly series. Pictured in 2000
The crew assured fans that new episodes from the 40th anniversary season would continue to be broadcasted on Prime Video and Ten, with ‘all the big soapie twists and turns that our viewers love.’
The show’s Executive Producer Jason Herbison went on to celebrate the many years of Neighbours and the success it had experienced since its inception.
‘Audiences all around the world have loved and embraced Neighbours for four decades and we are very proud of the huge success over the last two years including often appearing as one of the Top 10 titles in the UK and the show’s first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Daytime Series in 2024,’ he said.
‘As this chapter closes, we appreciate and thank Amazon MGM Studios for all that they have done for Neighbours – bringing this iconic and much-loved series to new audiences globally.’
He ended off the post, saying: ‘We value how much the fans love Neighbours and we believe there are more stories of the residents of Ramsay Street to tell in the future.’
It was announced last month that Neighbours would be axed for a second time, less than two years after it was first revived.
The Australian soap opera will reportedly end production this summer after production company Fremantle failed to agree on a new deal with Amazon.
The final ever episode will air at the end of 2025 with fans forced to say goodbye to Ramsay Street for a second time.
Andrew joked that he’s now known as ‘Ambo Lance’ and says his acting background helped him in his new career, which he’s been in for over a decade. Pictured on Neighbours
A source told The Sun: ‘Amazon gave Fremantle two years to see if it worked but sadly they just didn’t get the viewers.
‘It’s a really sad day especially for the cast and crew who work on the show in Melbourne.
‘This really is the end of Neighbours just as it’s celebrated it’s 40th birthday.’
Neighbours nearly ended forever two years ago when Channel 5, who part-funded the soap for UK viewers, pulled out of their deal.
