His first stint in the show ends with him going to prison after committing a string of robberies, before escaping and trying to convince his brother Stonefish Rebecchi (Anthony Engelman) to hide him.

He returns to Erinsborough to support his brother Toadfish Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) through his marital issues, and is accompanied by his sister-in-law Mishti Sharma (Scarlet Vas), with whom he has a close friendship.

Writers later established a friendship between Shane and his younger co-worker Roxy Willis (Zima Anderson), after she confides in him about being a donor match for David Tanaka (Takaya Honda).

"[5] On 27 March 2017, Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy reported that Shane was being reintroduced to Neighbours after 22 years, with actor Nicholas Coghlan cast in the role.

[5] Coghlan filmed his first scenes at Pin Oak Court, the outdoor location for Ramsay Street, where Shane meets up with Toadie and his young daughter Nell Rebecchi (Scarlett Anderson).

Coghlan used his own personal experiences as "a bad boy" to help him with the role, commenting "I always seem to get myself into silly situations, thankfully never to the degree that Shane has been caught up in!

[7] Coghlan added "There's something in Shane that worries that he's not good enough as his brother Toadie is a successful lawyer; he feels as if he hasn't reached his full potential.

[11] Coghlan told Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap that Shane comes back to Erinsborough to support Toadie during his "time of need", following his marriage breakdown.

[12] Coghlan explained that while Shane wants to be supportive towards his brother, he makes some mistakes such as telling Toadie that he saw his estranged wife Sonya Rebecchi (Eve Morey) kissing Mark Brennan (Scott McGregor).

[7] Another early storyline for the character focused on his invention of a solar-powered lawnmower and attempts to sell it to investors, which Kilkelly noted was "trickier than planned.

[16] Vas told an Inside Soap columnist "Shane is clearly in the wrong on this occasion, and if Mishti didn't do her job properly, it would be very obvious to her superiors.

[19] Writers formed a friendship between Shane and his co-worker Roxy Willis (Zima Anderson), after she confides in him about being a match for David Tanaka (Takaya Honda), who needs a kidney donor.

The development comes after Roxy and Shane's boss Sheila Canning (Colette Mann) attempts to keep them apart at work, having noticed their bond.

[27] Coghlan told Sarah Ellis of Inside Soap that hearing Yashvi has been working on the drug dealing case gives Shane "the frights" and it is a small wake up call to what he has been doing.

[29] He later explained to Daniel Kilkelly of Digital Spy that Shane had not had an "'A-storyline' or story arc" since his introduction, and the majority of his plots had been on the fun side.

"[29] Coghlan told Hughes that stress over his studies was the main reason Shane started using drugs, as well as difficulty coping with everyday life.

[27] When asked how Shane gets Roxy to keep his secret, Coghlan replied that like any good addict, he bargains with her and tells her about his plan to go cold turkey.

[28] In an interview with Digital Spy's Daniel Kilkelly, Coghlan was hopeful that Shane and Dipi would be able to work things out, but warned that it would be difficult and "a long road ahead for them as a couple, regardless of what's happening.

"[24] On 24 March 2021, David Knox of TV Tonight reported that Coghlan would be departing Neighbours, alongside Johal, whose own departure had been announced a couple of weeks prior.

Several months later, Shane escapes from prison and asks Stonie to hide him at Number 32, where he is lodging with Malcolm Kennedy (Benjamin McNair) and Danni Stark (Eliza Szonert).

When he pushes Kirsha out of the path of Jimmy Williams's (Darcy Tadich) bike, Shane suffers a dislocated thumb and a torn tendon in his hand.

Dipi struggles to forgive Shane, until he arranges for himself, Kirsha, Yashvi, Toadie and Sheila to put on a private performance of the musical in their back yard.

During a promotional event for the water, Rob sprays the audience with urine after learning Amy is now dating Gary, however, Shane is glad of the publicity.

After Yashvi and Kirsha are held hostage by Raymond Renshaw (Frank Magree), Dipi struggles in the aftermath and she spends more time with Gary.

Shane's co-worker Roxy Willis (Zima Anderson) confides in him about being a donor match for David Tanaka (Takaya Honda) and he provides her with advice and support.

Shane struggles with Dipi's silence and he is briefly tempted to take Richie's ADHD medication, but with Toadie's support, he attends an NA meeting instead.

Calling him one of the month's "great additions to soapland", a writer stated "There was finally something for Toadie to smile about, when his big brother Shane rocked up on Ramsay Street!

"[34] Ben Fenlon of the Daily Express observed that Shane's solar-powered lawnmower "continued to provide light relief for viewers" amongst the dramatic storylines.

[35] An Evening Chronicle reporter thought Shane's urine-to-water converter "has plenty of potential", but they warned "launching it at the same time as Dipi's investor lunch for Flapper!

[38] Alex Davies noted fans of the show were "captivated" by Shane and Roxy's "will-they-won't-they romance", and he found that viewers hoped the pair would take things further.