Francis Bell

Francis Bell (1944-1994) was a New Zealand born Australian actor who played Max Ramsay from Episode 1 - 18 March 1985 to Episode 245 - 2 May 1986.

Pre Neighbours career
Francis Bell was born on the 18th April 1944 in Cambridge, New Zealand. He moved to Australia and trained as an actor. He had roles in A Country Practice and The Sullivans.

Neighbours
Franics Bell joined the cast of Neighbours in late 1984 after landing the role of uncouth plumber Max Ramsay. Filming began in January 1985. Francis Bell played a major role but took sick leave in early 1986 and his contract expired and he never returned to the show. His character never got a proper farewell episode.

He also felt that he was not paid enough according to James Oram's 1988 book Neighbours Behind The Scenes.

Francis attended the gala celebrating the 1000th episode of Neighbours in 1989. The celebration was televised.

After Neighbours
Francis Bell first post Neighbours TV role was a voiceover in the TV series, Rubbery Figures. He then played Sharkey in Bushfire Moon, a 1987 film.

He attended the Neighbours 1000th anniversary celebrations in July 1989.

Francis's 1990s TV credits include The End Of The Golden Weather and as Paddy in Absent Without Leave in 1992. His last TV role was as the voice of Blackjack in Mrs. Piggle Wiggle.

In May 1994, aged 50, Francis Bell died after falling from a building in New Zealand.