Bridget "Didge" Parker is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Eloise Mignon.

Bridget died on-screen on 21 July 2009 after suffering internal injuries, which she sustained in a car crash.

The character was met with polarised reactions from viewers and critics, though her pregnancy storyline was voted the best of 2008 during a poll on the official website.

[1] Network Ten drama executive, Dan Bennett revealed that the show would return to its focus on relationships and family dynamics.

[3] Former Silversun actress Eloise Mignon was cast in the role of school girl Bridget Parker, despite being five years older than the character she would portray.

Mignon explained during an interview with media reporting website Last Broadcast, the research that had been carried out and the effects on the character stating: "Bridget suffers extreme physical difficulties as a result, because she's such a sporty tomboy, to be incapacitated suddenly poses emotional problems for her.

As the storyline progressed, Bridget was seen considering abortion or adoption, before ultimately deciding to have the child with Declan's support.

[4][6] This caused controversy among conservative family groups in Australia who accused the Neighbours of using their characters to normalise teenage pregnancy.

[9] Critics also slammed the show, noting that Neighbours has a G-rating and the storyline could lead to more promiscuity and teenage pregnancies among young viewers.

In March 2009, it was announced that the Parker family were to be written out of the show after Mignon and Bastoni decided to leave to concentrate on other commitments.

[10] Mignon announced that her reason for leaving the show was so that she could return to studying an Arts degree at Melbourne university.

[15] Upon her arrival to Ramsay Street, Bridget makes friends with Zeke Kinski (Matthew Werkmeister) and she joins his football team, despite opposition from bully Justin Hunter (Chris Toohey).

Steve is charged with murder, but Bridget goes to his trial and tells the court that she pushed Chris in self-defense.

Bridget's death leaves Steve and Miranda devastated and they move away from Ramsay Street not long after her funeral.

[22] Fans of the show also voted the storyline the most popular of 2008 in a poll conducted by the official Neighbours website.

[23] The website announced that they had received over 5,500 votes and they added "We all love a bit of drama, and who would argue that Bridget falling pregnant at the age of 16 and Declan's rebellion against the constraints of fatherhood wasn't the juiciest story of 2008!

"[23] In 2016, Katie Baillie writing for Metro included Bridget on a list of the "worst Neighbours characters" ever.

[24] Baillie placed Bridget at number one because "she was pretty unpopular at the time, and even remembering her now makes my blood boil.

[24] Bailie also noted the existence of an online forum called "Get Rid Of Bridget" and claimed that viewers complained to the producers because "she was too annoying to watch".

[24] Of Bridget's final scenes, a reporter for the Daily Record wrote "This soap has often been accused of being a bit soft or lightweight.

"[25] Sarah Megginson of website SheKnows included Bridget's death in her "8 Most Memorable Neighbours Moments" feature in October 2009.

She said "When our beloved teen mum Bridget 'Didge' Napier died in a car crash – just weeks after giving birth to her baby girl!

"[26] In 2015, a Herald Sun reporter included Bridget's death in their "Neighbours' 30 most memorable moments" feature.

[27] Susan Bower stated in a 2010 interview that she thought the storyline between Bridget and Chris Knight was "brilliant".