Neighbours

Rejected by his biological parents as a toddler, Riley and his younger sister Bridget were put up for adoption. Old enough to understand what was happening to them, Riley was resentful and rebellious from the word go. He watched as Steve and Miranda Parker fell in love with adorable Didge, only to see their faces fall when the adoption office pointed towards Riley.
They had no idea that Bridget had a brother and were torn at the prospect of separating them but in that moment, Riley misread the expression on the Parkers faces and felt yet another sting of unbridled rejection. Convinced that he came as an unwanted part of a package deal, Riley always believed he was adopted out of obligation rather than love.

Despite his reluctance to get fully involved with the rest of his family, Riley remains fiercely loyal to Bridget. He’d do anything to protect her and the two of them are extremely close.
Aside from Didge, Riley’s only other love is animals. Given his mistrust of most humans, it made sense that, even as a child, Riley would be drawn to the unconditional love of various pets. Animals never pose a danger of rejection, so Riley channelled all of his energy into looking after them and in their company he found solace.

After leaving school (which he found restrictive and therefore rebelled against), Riley was encouraged by Steve and Miranda to follow his natural aptitudes and study veterinary science. The plan was that eventually he could join his father at his vet practice. Half way through his degree, Riley changed his mind. Dropping out of uni and feeling directionless, Riley toyed with many alternative career options. Miranda and Steve felt that his reticence to pursue a career as a vet was simply his way of asserting his independence from them.

However, since arriving in Erinsborough and reconciling with his parents, Riley has settled into a surprisingly happy new routine. He battled hard to win a cadetship on the Erinsborough News, only to find himself forced to fight for his role all over again when Elle Robinson decided that she too fancied a career in journalism. Their quick-witted banter and shared passion for reporting led to more than a little sexual tension.

Having seen of competition from Elle’s former boyfriend Oliver, it looked as if things might finally happen for Riley and Elle. However, when they went undercover to report on the illegal dance party they were caught up in the roof collapse. Riley selflessly stayed with the woman he loved until they were both rescued but injured Elle suffered post traumatic stress disorder and could only associate Riley with the panic and fear that she felt in the rubble.

Realising their time had passed, Riley moved on to glamorous Erinsborough News colleague Heather. But is he really over Elle? Or is there another woman out there destined to capture Riley Parker’s heart?