Joshua "Josh" West is a fictional character from the Australian Channel Seven soap opera Home and Away, played by actor Daniel Collopy. He debuted on-screen on 21 November 2001 and made his final appearance on 16 May 2006.
Character Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Portrayed by | Daniel Collopy |
| Duration | 2001–2003, 2005–2006 |
| First appearance | 21 November 2001 |
| Last appearance | 16 May 2006 |
| Occupation | Lifeguard, Mayor |
| Father | Greg West |
| Mother | Jackie Turner |
Development
In September 2001, Daniel Collopy successfully auditioned for the role of Josh and relocated from Melbourne to Sydney within days to begin filming. Josh was introduced as a new trainee lifeguard and a potential love interest for established character Dani Sutherland (Tammin Sursok). The role was Collopy's first regular television role.
Josh was described by the network as a "charismatic" young man from a "high-society family" who was initially "about as laid-back as they come." He had a passion for surfing and was characterized as friendly, easygoing, and wise. His "tall, dark and handsome" appearance made him popular with female characters.
Collopy was written out of the serial in a whodunit murder storyline. It was later revealed that Barry Hyde (Ivar Kants) accidentally shot and killed Josh.
Storylines
Josh arrives in Summer Bay in late 2001 during Schoolies celebrations. He initially pursues Dani Sutherland, who rejects his advances but later begins dating him. Josh works as a lifeguard at the Surf Club and later receives his HSC results with high scores. He briefly attends university at his parents' insistence but returns to the Bay.
Josh's relationship with Dani faces challenges when he learns she was raped by Kane Phillips (Sam Atwell). After a difficult period, they become intimate and later move into an apartment with Noah Lawson and Hayley Smith, dubbed "The Palace." Josh later shares a kiss with Hayley after breaking up with Dani, leading to tension with Noah.
After discovering his father Greg is ill, Josh leaves to take over the family business. He makes sporadic returns, during which he engages in increasingly antagonistic behavior, including plans to destroy a drop-in centre, destroying Colleen Smart's mobile home, and firing Jesse McGregor from the Surf Club Gym.
In 2005, Josh returns and runs for Mayor, winning the election. He proceeds with "Project 56," a controversial construction project involving a traffic bridge. Josh makes numerous enemies through his actions, including framing Alf Stewart for embezzlement, attempting to kill Amanda Vale, allowing Tasha Andrews to be held prisoner by a religious group, and threatening Ric Dalby and Robbie Hunter.
Josh is found dead in his council office one morning. Weeks later, Barry Hyde confesses to Morag Bellingham that he accidentally killed Josh during a struggle over a gun, after Josh threatened to expose Barry for killing his own wife.
Reception
Collopy was nominated for the "Most Popular New Male Talent" Logie Award in 2003 and for "Best Bad Boy" at the 2006 Inside Soap Awards. Michael Idato of The Sydney Morning Herald described Josh as the "new hottie" in Summer Bay, crediting his on-screen romance with transforming Collopy into the "No. 1 TV Week coverboy." Channel 5 described Josh as a "good boy gone bad" who was not short of enemies.
