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Character Profiles > Clive Gibbons Geoff Paine

Dr. Clive Archibald Gibbons 1986-1987, 1989
Lived: 22 Ramsay Street
Parents: Charles Gibbons
Siblings: Graham and Claire
Family Tree: Gibbons
Occupation: Doctor, Entrepreneur

Eccentric Clive Gibbons caused problems for Max Ramsay when he moved in No 22 Ramsay Street in 1986. Clive was running a gorillagram agency from the house and Max did not like that sort of carry on in 'his' street. They clashed right from the first time they met but Clive's zany approach to life and his caring nature ensured he won over all the other residents of Ramsay Street. When her engagement to Des Clarke fell apart, Clive invited Daphne Lawrence to move into one of his spare rooms. Clive was delighted to have company in what Max always referred to as the 'Ape House' and he and Daphne were joined there briefly by Daphne's best friend, Zoe Davis and then by one of Daphne's employees, Mike Young, who was escaping from his abusive father.

As well as his gorillagram service, Clive joined forces with Max's eldest son, Shane, to form a gardening service called RAGGS (Ramsay and Gibbons Gardening Service). But Clive's true profession was revealed when he saved young Lucy Robinson's life after she was stung by a bee on the neck and couldn't breathe. With only a pen and the Robinsons' kitchen table, Clive performed a life saving Tracheotomy on Lucy, saving her life. His heroic actions meant Clive was forced to reveal to the neighbours that he was actually a doctor by profession. However, Clive had quit medicine when he made a medical error which had led to the death of his girlfriend, Linda.

Pressure was put on Clive to start up his practice again when his brother Graham - also a GP - visited with his wife, Kate and daughter Vicki. As Graham settled in Erinsborough, Clive realised that his brother would continue to badger him about returning to medicine until he admitted to Graham the truth behind Linda's death. This still did not stop Graham persevering with his brother until Clive finally agreed to try again as a doctor. The Gibbons' faced more problems when young Vicki witnessed a robber at No. 22 one day while everyone was out. The burglar threatened to kill Graham and Kate if Vicki said she had seen him and little Vicki was left terrified by the experience. When Clive and Graham finally caught the man, Graham decided to move the family back to the peace and quiet of the country and they left Clive at No. 22.

Clive wasn't alone in the house for long, however. He had befriended young mother Susan Cole when she arrived in Erinsborough and when she needed a place to live, Clive offered her lodgings at No. 22. Clive doted on her baby, Sam, and slowly began to fall in love with Susan. But she had fallen for the charms of her boss at The Daniels Corporation where she worked as a secretary, Paul Robinson. Susan and Paul embarked on a passionate fling, much to Clive's dismay. But when his Uncle Ted came to visit, Clive asked Susan to pose as his wife in order for Clive to project an image of being a successful family man to his uncle. Although reluctant, Susan agreed and for those few days, it seemed to Clive as if all his dreams had been realised. But he was soon brought back to reality when Ted saw Susan kissing Paul and confronted Clive about his 'unfaithful wife'. Clive was forced to come clean to Ted and it was back to reality for him as Susan continued her relationship with Paul.

When Paul rejected her, a jilted Susan was comforted by Clive and he admitted he loved her. Desperately longing for some kind of stability for her and Sam, Susan accepted a marriage proposal from Clive. As Clive threw himself into wedding preparations and plans for his future with Susan and Sam, Susan came to realise that she didn't love Clive in the same way that he loved her and she left Erinsborough with little Sam. Clive dipped into a deep depression after this and took his anger out on Paul, who he was convinced Susan still had strong feelings for. Although he eventually bounced back, thanks to the love and support of all his many friends in the street, he decided to make a fresh start and move into the flat behind his surgery. And so, Clive left Ramsay Street behind, although he kept in touch with his friends over the years - even lending his beloved car, Bertha, to Scott and Charlene Robinson for their honeymoon.

Clive made a brief return visit to the area in 1989 when he stayed at the Clarkes' and struck up a friendship with madcap Melanie Pearson, as well as catching the eye of Harold Bishop's daughter, Kerry. He also ironically gave old love rival Paul a shoulder to cry on following the breakdown of his marriage. Then Clive got a call from Graham who had been injured in an accident and needed someone to run his surgery for a time in the country. Never one to refuse a challenge, Clive bid farewell to Ramsay Street once more for a fresh start in the outback.

To read our interview with Geoff Paine, click here

Tenure
172-435, 1043-1076

Magic Moments
Episode 172: Clive's Arrival
Episode 435: Clive's Departure

Biography by Moe

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