DR LANCE WILKINSON played by MICHAEL GOW

When Dr Lance Wilkinson arrived at the Albert Memorial everyone remarked on how different he was to his brother. Dr Sam Wilkinson was a blond, handsome playboy, while Lance was a bespectacled, accident prone academic.

It didn't take people long to warm to Lance's innocent, sensitive personality. He forged a great and lasting friendship with Dr Mike Newman, and was well liked by the nurses. One nurse in particular, Jody Carter, fell for Lance's sweet nature and pursued him until he could no longer resist! However, Lance preferred older women - Jody's own mother, Charlotte, to be precise. When Jody learned that Lance had finished their relationship because he was in love with Charlotte she was devastated. First she tried to kill herself, then she left the hospital. Despite their better judgement, and the differences in their ages and personalities, Charlotte and Lance embarked on a relationship. They were ostracised by Jody's friends and the other disapproving hospital staff. Charlotte finally called it a day and left town.

Lance was the only person to believe Dr Mike Newman was still alive after his fall of the edge of a cliff, and turned detective to try and find him. Shortly after Mike was found alive and well (minus his memory), Lance turned down a scholarship and left the hospital to have a go at working in general practice.

Michael Gow is now a respected and successful playwright and theatre director. Since 1999 he has been the Artistic Director/CEO of the Queensland Theatre Company.