Teresa "Tess" Bell is a fictional character from the Australian soap opera Neighbours, played by Krista Vendy.

[4] She said "The role was originally that of a barmaid called Tamsin Flynn, but after I got the part, the producers took a look at my audition piece and changed my name and occupation.

"[4] Vendy said Tamsin was supposed to be a surfer and a party girl, but when the character became Teresa she was changed into a "strait-laced schoolteacher" instead.

[1][4] Vendy revealed her cousin, Kristian Schmid (who played Todd Landers), gave her some advice before she entered the show.

[3] Vendy told an Inside Soap columnist that she was glad her character had more depth than a bimbo and she said Tess is nothing like the person she thought she would be playing.

"[1] A writer for Inside Soap said Neighbours rarely strayed from its formula of light-hearted story lines, so when the producers decided to tackle the issue of domestic violence they made sure it would be handled realistically and sensitively.

[1] Vendy said to get her head around what Tess was going through, she researched domestic violence and made sure the story line was dealt with carefully.

[6] Tess develops a crush on her housemate Daniel Fitzgerald (Brett Tucker) and when she learns he has asked Steph out on a date, she is "crestfallen".

Herbison quipped "With both Tess and Dan employed as teachers at Erinsborough High, there would seem to be plenty of opportunities for them to get together in the future.

[7] Tess began an affair with Darcy Tyler (Mark Raffety) in 2001, despite the fact that he was dating her best friend Dee Bliss (Madeleine West).

[10] Jackie Brygel of the Herald Sun reported that Vendy's decision surprised a lot of people in the television industry.

Vendy was pleased with Tess' exit story and relieved that she "came to her senses" about Darcy, adding "I didn't want her to be a victim.

They posted a photograph of Vendy in character and Tess' return coincides with a protest to save the Erinsborough High school from closure.

[11][12] On 2 January 2025, it was announced that Vendy would be reprising the role of Tess later that year, with Neighbours' official Instagram account teasing, "Another blast from the past!

Krista Vendy is soon set to reprise her role as Tess Bell... but what's brought her back to Erinsborough this time?

During her first week at the school, Tad Reeves (Jonathon Dutton) is a constant thorn in Tess' side but she ultimately gets the better of him.

On New Year's Eve 1999, Tess arrives at Number 28 with a cut on her face and admits to Susan that her husband, Brendan is responsible.

When Daniel Fitzgerald moves into Number 32 while his house is repaired, Tess worries how Brendan may react to find her sharing with another man.

When Brendan returns, Tess unexpectedly kisses him and the couple move closer together after she lets him stay when his car fails to start.

Being racked with guilt on top her own grief, Tess tries to build bridges when it is learned that the accident has rendered Libby unable to have children.

When Philip sells the house, Tess and Dee decide to put in a bid but they are beaten by new teacher, Evan Hancock (Nicholas Opolski) on auction day.

Tess, deciding she cannot live in a student environment with Toadie and his friend Joel Samuels (Daniel MacPherson), looks further afield and begins house-sharing with Veronica Anderson (Monika Karwan) in a nearby suburb.

When Tess stumbles upon Darcy's scheme to take over the local surgery and leave Karl jobless, she has doubts which mount up until the day of the wedding.

[15] Jason Herbison, writing for TV Week, proclaimed "She may be one of the most beautiful residents in Ramsay Street, but when it comes to men, Tess Bell really doesn't have much of a clue!

[16] Referring to Vendy's modelling career, Brygel added "And sometimes it's smart to look like you've just stepped off the cover of a men's magazine when you're a school-teacher on a nightly soapie.

"[16] Writing for TV Week, Brygel and Sigourney Gray praised the character's departure, stating "We were all sad to see her leave, but we couldn't help cheering when Tess left the evil Dr Darcy Tyler standing at the altar back in 2001.