Isn't it popularly believed that had KLS stayed, she would have portrayed Samantha Collins in the 1840 arc? I've seen this claim on many DS boards.
It's not just a fan belief - that's actually what the show was planning before KLS left. But when one door closes, another opens, and KLS' departure brought about the genius casting of Samantha with Virginia Vestoff, who was brilliant in the role.
As for Ned being a touchy feely freak, he certainly was the worst of RD's characters in the touchy feely department, but just about every RD character was touchy feely because RD quite obviously could never keep his hands off of his costars (or his hair
).