direction his character was taking. Jane and Mike's relationship does not last, and she is later paired with Des. While preparing for Mike's birthday, Des helps Mike set up his own photography dark room. Jane also offers to help out, but she receives a big electric shock and Des saves her. A romance soon develops between them, and Jones commented that "it builds towards a full on affair." This results in end of her relationship with Mike, with Jones adding "Mike gets the flick, basically." Producers then paired Mike with Bronwyn Davies (Rachel Friend) for a brief romance storyline. Friend admitted to being scared in her "first encounter" with Pearce, but after kissing him she realised that while she was self-conscious, nobody took any notice. Bronwyn soon chooses Henry Ramsay (Craig McLachlan) over Mike. Mike later believes he and Jane have a chance of reconciling, but learns she is in love with Des. When Jane is almost hit by a car, this makes Des realise how much he loves Jane and asks her to marry him. While everyone is pleased for the couple, Mike is upset when he hears the news, as he realises that both of the women in his life have chosen other men over him. While reflecting on her character's relationships in June 2022, Jones believed Mike was the love of Jane's life. She said Jane was heartbroken when he broke up with her, adding "There will always be a hole in her heart for Mike." Later storylines Mike pursues a career as a school teacher at university and he returns to Erinsborough High on a student placement. While there, Mike privately tutors 16 year old Jessie Ross (Michelle Kearley) and learns that she is being abused by her mother Adele Ross (Marian Sinclair). McCready and Furlong of Neighbours The Official Annual 1991 pointed out the story was ironic as Mike had also been the victim of paternal abuse. Mike is angered when Jessie's father Ted Ross (Doug Bennett) learns what is happening and appears to be more concerned about his business reputation, rather than his daughter. McCready and Furlong stated "Even though he is only young, Mike has had enough experience to be able to deal with such dramatic incidents in a sensible way." Mike later shares a kiss with Jessie in an empty classroom, but they are caught by principal Kenneth Muir (Roger Boyce) and