Dan O’Connor

Dan O’Connor is an Australian reality TV star turned actor and personal trainer. After appearing on Australian Idol back in 2004, he then played the part of Ned Parker in hit Aussie soap Neighbours for three years, appearing in over 450 episodes. In 2012, he relocated to Britain, playing Ally Grogan in over 75 episodes of the long-running Channel 4 soap opera Hollyoaks. By the end of the decade, he was in Los Angeles, working as a personal trainer whilst looking for his Hollywood break. His appearance in the forthcoming film The Green Door marks his first screen appearance since 2013.

O’Connor’s big break came over 15 years ago when he became one of the finalists of Australian Idol. Despite showing great promise, he narrowly missed out on a top-ten spot, being voted out in 11th place. Undeterred, O’Connor soon landed the role of Ned Parker in Neighbours, a hit show both at home and abroad. He stayed with the legendary show for three years, becoming one of its regular characters and winning a Logie nomination for the Best New Male Talent. After leaving the show, he did the rounds of reality television, but this time as the star, appearing on Ready, Steady, Cook; Celebair, and Australia’s Brainiest.

In late 2011, O’Connor made the surprise move across the globe to join the cast of British soap opera Hollyoaks, staying with the show for a year. He also returned to Australia to appear in several episodes of the popular drama Winners & Losers. Since then, he has been taking stock, but he is now firmly back in the saddle.