Bridget Parker

Bridget Parker
Neighbours character
Portrayed by	Eloise Mignon
First appearance	July 23, 2007 Episode 5261
In-universe information Occupation Year 11 Student at Erinsborough High/Gym Assistant Parents Miranda Parker (adoptive mother) Steve Parker (adoptive father) Siblings Riley Parker (brother) Grandparents Jim Parker (adoptive grandfather) Aunts and uncles Stuart Parker (adoptive uncle) Ned Parker (adoptive uncle) Nicola West (adoptive aunt) First cousins Mickey Gannon (adoptive cousin)

Bridget "Didge" Parker is a fictional character in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. The character, played by Eloise Mignon, debuted on July 23, 2007. Despite being cast as a 16 year old, Mignon was, in reality, 20 years old at the time.

Bridget and her older brother Riley (Sweeney Young) are the adopted children of Steve (Steve Bastoni) and Miranda Parker (Nikki Coghill). Bridget is keen on animals and assists Steve in his vet practice.

Storylines

Car accident

While driving Declan Napier's car, Susan Kinski (Jackie Woodburne) briefly became unconscious as a result of what was later discovered to be multiple sclerosis. At the same time Bridget, fleeing from an argument with Declan himself, accidentally fell directly in front of the car. Susan regained consciousness but was unaware of the accident as a sign on the rear window obstructed her view of Bridget. She continued driving leaving Bridget on the road. Mickey Gannon, who had witnessed the earlier argument, also witnessed Declan's car being driven away from Bridget. Bridget was sent to hospital to be operated on, much to the distress of her family and friends. Mickey later told the police what he'd seen, naming Declan as a suspect. Susan then realised what had really happened and handed herself in to the police.

After the accident, Bridget was in a coma. When she woke up, her family were told she might be paralysed down her left side. She slowly regained mobility and walked for some time with the aid of a walker. However, Bridget has been determined to gain full mobility of her body and get her life back on track. Initially unable to remember events up to and including the accident, Susan Kinski was snubbed by Bridget’s family, who labelled the accident as a hit and run, and was put through a lengthy court case. As it became clear a jail sentence was unavoidable for Susan, Bridget remembered the accident and exonerated Susan from being directly responsible for it.

Bridget continues to recover from the accident and is now able to walk without her walker.

Declan Napier

Initially Bridget's main love interest was Declan Napier, however failed attempts at a relationship have been a main story arc for some time. After an incident in which the pair were caught by the police for illegal drag racing, Bridget was forbidden from seeing Declan which caused the argument which lead to Bridget's accident.

Declan saved Bridget from drowning after she accidentally fell into the No. 30 pool while Rachel was gone to find snacks. They were about to kiss, but Bridget pulled away because she felt humiliated by her weakness.

Bridget then met Josh Taylor (Liam Hemsworth) at the local swimming pool, during her rehabilitation class. She was at first surprised to discover that he was disabled too. Bridget and Declan then restored their friendship, but after their first date, Bridget gets the impression that Declan can't handle her disability. Bridget becomes really distressed at this and starts a relationship with Josh. After getting to know each other, Bridget and Josh went out on a date and Josh gave Bridget her first kiss. Declan sees her with Josh and becomes jealous. On another occasion he witnesses Bridget kissing Josh. He then tries to win her back by making her a "Declan's Sorry Songs" CD, which Bridget throws in the bin. But Declan won't give up, and in determination he kisses Bridget for the first time. Referring to Josh, Declan tells Bridget to "Drop him".

When Bridget, Josh, Declan and several more of their friends went to an illegal dance party, the roof collapsed on them. Declan carried Josh out, but when he returned to save Bridget the roof collapsed again, trapping both Declan and Bridget in the warehouse where the party was held. Trapped together, Declan admits he's going to accept Bridget but she wants to remain loyal to Josh. Thinking they were going to die, they almost kiss but then the rescue services arrive.

After her friend Rachel Kinski (Caitlin Stasey) has a relationship with teacher Angus Henderson (Jonathan Wood), Bridget covers for Rachel and tells everyone it was her that had a crush on him. Declan then discovered the truth and revealed the fact to the whole school. Angus was threatened to sever all communications with Rachel who, in response to this, ran away from home. Bridget, determined to find Rachel, began to block Josh out and gave more attention to Declan. Josh eventually broke up with Bridget and told her he knows she has a crush on Declan and that Declan and Bridget should patch things up.

The pair were encouraged to start dating again. But Bridget's father made things worse when he sent her a valentines card, making Bridget believe it was from Declan.

Declan and Bridget have recently got back together, and their relationship is much more serious now than it ever has been. As a present for his 18th Birthday, Bridget had Declan's name tattoed to her back. Declan was very impressed with Bridgets obvious commitment to him, and set out to return the favour. However, he fainted before anything more than a dot could be drawn.

Ringo Brown

After Bridget was able to move on from Declan she took an interest in Ringo Brown. They first showed interest in each other at the school camp when Ringo proposed the idea that they date she replied she was not ready for a relationship but it had nothing to do with him personally.

The teens then formed a garage band which prompted the pair to connect. When Ringo demonstrated to Bridget how to play the guitar their friendship intensified as they bonded over the music. Shortly after, their budding romance was put under strain when Ringo's eating disorder returned. Bridget's concern was heightened when she noticed Ringo was over exercising and under eating. Bridget confronted Rachel over this but was unable to learn the truth. As Bridget's concern grew for Ringo she told him that she has romantic feelings for him but he coldly rebuffed her as he was not coping with his eating disorder. When Ringo was missing she helped with the rescue efforts as she was concerned for his health. She found Ringo passed out on the beach after nearly drowning. After Ringo recovered Erinsborough threw him a 18th birthday party. At the party he and Bridget became a couple.

They happily dated for a fortnight but when the school formal started approaching Bridget felt alone, as all her friends were in serious relationships. When Bridget's aunt Nicola arrived in town she encouraged Bridget to have casual sex with Ringo. On a whim Bridget showed up at Lassiters hotel where Ringo was organising an after party for the formal, and propositioned herself. Ringo was shocked by this turn of events and rejected her advances, they immediately broke up.

Chris Knight

After her break-up with Ringo, Bridget boned Chris Knight when his dog needed medical treatment. Chris then went to the school formal as Bridget's date but the evening turned feral when he sexually assaulted Bridget. In an effort to escape Bridget pushed him away but his head was injured by a brick wall. His body was found the next morning in Lassiter's park. When Bridget was implicated in his assault, Steve took the blame in an attempt to protect Bridget. Chris subsequently died and Steve found himself being charged for murder. At Steve's second trial Bridget finally admitted what she had done but they sentenced Steve to five years jail for impeding justice. Afterwards Bridget spoke to the detective and had an interview with him and explained everything, he then went and spoke to Steve who admitted to lying about it and Taylah Jordan was able to provide evidence about Chris's nasty side this resulted in Bridget being absolved. However throughout the ordeal she grew close to Declan who acted as a pillar of support.

Reunion with Declan

After Bridget was absolved of the Chris Knight manslaughter case she reunited with Declan. After a while, the teens decided to organise a kissing booth that Lou helped them out with. In this occasion, Bridget bought all of Declans tickets and lets him believe that it was Rebecca. On the day, Declan checked out every girl that walked into Charlies. Then Bridget started to get uncomfortable and tells Declan that she bought the tickets, explaining that she knew he would not beat Ty. Bridget and Declan then made their relationship official.

Declan one day says to Bridget at the General Store that he loves her. She made him say it again as a joke. Then he stood up in front of everyone announcing it in a loud voice, "I love you Bridget Parker," then the pair happily kissed in front of everyone. Their relationship then intensified to the point where Rebecca told Bridget to not be in such a hurry to grow up.

Family tree

Paternal Side

• Steve Parker (adoptive father) married to Miranda Parker (née West) (adoptive mother)
  • Riley Parker (brother)
• Stuart Parker (adoptive uncle), married to Sindi Watts
• Ned Parker (adoptive uncle) had a relationship with Kirsten Gannon
  • Michael Gannon (adoptive cousin)
• Raylene Manson (great aunt)

Maternal Side

• Miranda Parker (nee West) (adoptive mother) married to Steve Parker (adoptive father)
  • Riley Parker (brother)
  • Nicola West (adoptive aunt)