‘‘He was the one who inspired me to get into acting,’’ Peacocke told The Word yesterday.

‘‘I’ve followed his career ever since. I’ve seen every one of his theatre shows in Sydney.’’

Newcastle-raised actor Hazeldine performed opposite Georgie Parker in David Williamson’s Rhinestone Rex and Miss Monica in Sydney last year. He has also featured in a number of television shows including All Saints and managed to stay employed throughout his acting career.

Born and raised in Dubbo, Peacocke was studying communications at Newcastle University when he elected to take a drama subject taught by Hazeldine.

Peacocke moved to Sydney to pursue his acting career and about eight months ago he was just managing to make his rent payments at a share house at Stanmore.

Peacocke, who has now moved to the northern beaches, will make his debut as Darryl ‘‘Brax’’ Braxton on the Prime soapie Home and Away on Monday.

Brax is the eldest and most revered of the three Braxton brothers – a loyal, reckless and feared member of the River Boys.

The ‘‘gang of brothers’’ have already been compared to Maroubra’s notorious Bra Boys.

‘‘I can see why the media is making that comparison,’’ Peacocke said. ‘‘They have a similar back story to the Bra Boys.’’

But it was the role Peacock played when he won his City of Newcastle Drama Award (CONDA) in 2004 that is the most like his new Home and Away character.

He played the role of Ricko in Nick Enright’s A Property of the Clan (now Blackrock) while at university.

‘‘I didn’t think of it initially when I went for the Home and Away role but I guess a bit of Ricko has slid into Brax,’’ he said.