After 37 years on British TV… is THIS how it ends? Iconic Aussie soap Neighbours ‘could welcome Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan back to Ramsay Street’ for final ever scene
- Neighbours, which first began airing back in 1985, announced that production would be ceasing on the long-running soap in a tweet back in March
- ‘We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June,’ the show wrote
- Fremantle, the production company behind the soap, said it had been unable to come up with ‘alternative funding’ for the series
- They said: ‘It is with sadness that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast, we are confirming that Neighbours will cease production in June’
- Channel 5 confirmed the end of its deal with Neighbours in February, with its ‘current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama’
On 1 August, over three decades since Australian soap Neighbours first graced television screens, it will be time for fans to say an emotional goodbye to Ramsay Street and its residents.
And with the hour-long finale less than two months away, could it be no other than the show’s old-timers Kylie Minogue, 54, and Jason Donovan, also 54, to star in the final scene?
The pair, who played Charlene and Scott Robinson, quit the soap 33 years ago – and their onscreen wedding is considered a significant cultural moment of the late 1980s.
After 37 years on British TV… is THIS how it ends? Iconic Aussie soap Neighbours ‘could welcome Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan back to Ramsay Street’ for final ever scene
According to The Sun, the pair will turn to each other before smiling and declaring they are ‘home’, in the show’s closing moments.
A source told the publication: ‘Everyone is gutted the show is coming to an end but they are determined to go out on a high.
‘Kylie and Jason have such strong ties to the series they didn’t even think twice about returning.
‘The final scene will make fans well up and sees Charlene and Scott return to the street as they declare, “we’re home”‘.
Iconic: The pair, who played Charlene and Scott Robinson, quit the soap 33 years ago – and their onscreen wedding is considered a significant cultural moment of the late 1980s
It has also been said that bosses have written the script so Neighbours could make a comeback if anyone ‘wanted to rescue it’.
Kylie quit Neighbours in June 1988, having become the first person to win four Logie Awards in one year and the youngest ever recipient of a Gold Logie.
She went on to launch a phenomenally successful music career, selling more than 80 million albums worldwide.
Onscreen couple: According to The Sun, the pair to will turn to each other before smiling and declaring they are ‘home’, in the closing moments
It comes after Neighbours executive producer Jason Herbison has hinted the pair will have a bigger role in the finale than first reported.
Speaking to The Herald Sun on Wednesday, he said the recent leak didn’t fully explain the ’80s golden couple’s storyline in the episode.
‘What I’ve read is not what happens which is great. It hasn’t come out yet.’
He kept tight-lipped about the details of their appearance but he called the pair ‘wonderful’ adding it was ’emotional’ for them.
Pop star: Kylie quit Neighbours in June 1988, having become the first person to win four Logie Awards in one year and the youngest ever recipient of a Gold Logie (pictured that year)
Confirmation: It comes after Neighbours executive producer Jason Herbison (pictured) has hinted the pair will have a bigger role in the finale than first reported.
‘Seeing Kylie back as Charlene was quite a moment. Very special and I think for them too it was a real full circle for them,’ he told the publication.
Kylie and Jason’s wedding on the series 34 years ago was watched by 22 million people across Australia and the UK.
Last month, a leaked script revealed the fate of the lovebirds, stating they will return to Erinsborough at the end of the episode and deliver the closing lines.
Kylie and Jason, who were dating in real life at the time, were household names in both countries, and would each go on to launch music careers in the UK.
Their on-screen relationship began after Scott mistook Charlene for an intruder at his neighbour Madge Ramsay’s house, before eventually learning she was Madge’s daughter.
After getting married, the pair left Erinsborough and moved to Brisbane.
Neighbours announced that production would be ceasing on the long-running soap in a tweet back in March.
They’re back! Guy Pearce (Mike Young), Ian Smith, (Harold Bishop) Lucinda Cowden (Melanie Pearson), all led the original stars of Neighbours returning to the iconic soap for the final week of filming in Melbourne on Monday
Original: Paul Keane (right) , who plays Des Clarke, was one of Neighbours 12 original characters and has been back on the soap as a regular since 2020
Legend: Paul appeared as Des in the very first episode of Neighbours which saw several characters attend his Stag Do
Iconic: Guy, who played Mike Young between 1986 and 1989, was spotted on set as the TV series filmed its final scenes this week
After his stint on Neighbours as bad boy Mike Young (left) Guy Pearce has forged a successful career in Hollywood, starring in films such as Memento and The Hurt Locker. Pictured right, on set this week
All over: Neighbours announced that production would be ceasing on the long-running soap in a tweet back in March
‘We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June,’ the show wrote.
‘Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK [Channel 5] and despite an extensive search for alternative funding, we simply have no option but to rest the show.
‘To our amazing, loyal fans, we know this is a huge disappointment, as it is to all of us on the team. We thank you for all your messages and support and promise to end the show on an incredible high. From here on, we are celebrating Neighbours.’
Network 10 addressed the end of the series in a statement to Australian media in March, admitting it had been a ‘difficult decision’.
Fremantle, the production company behind the soap, said it had been unable to come up with ‘alternative funding’ for the series.
Suave: Guy looked effortlessly cool as he sported a black leather jacket and matching skinny jeans while preparing to film a scene on a motorbike
Style: Lucinda cut a glamorous figure for the day as she donned a bright red dress with a floral detail
Show: Lucinda portrayed Melanie from 1987 to 1991 and made a cameo appearance for the 20th anniversary in 2005
End of an era: Stefan Dennis (left), who played Paul Robinson, and Geoff Paine (right), who starred as Clive Gibbons, both looked thrilled to be back on set
All over: Fremantle, the production company behind the soap, said it had been unable to come up with ‘alternative funding’ for the series (the cast are pictured in 1995)
Mainstay: Stefan Dennis portrayed cold-hearted businessman Paul Robinson, appearing in the show’s first episode back in 1985
Final days: Annie, Guy, Stefan and Paul were all brought back for the soap’s final days of filming alongside Annie Jones right) who starred as ‘Plane Jane’ Harris
Return: Geoff played the character of Dr Clive Gibbons for one year before returning to the role in 2017
Snap: Lucinda was seen taking a photo of Geoff as he held up the iconic Ramsay St road sign
Role: British-born Guy had a four-year stint as Mike in Neighbours before hitting the big time
Looking good: Lucinda sported a pair of eye-catching gold earrings while she wrapped up in a black coat
Star: Annie Jones portrayed ‘Plane Jane’ Harris on Neighbours from 1986 to 1989 and won the Logie Award for Most Popular Actress
Neighbours’ most memorable storylines
Scott and Charlene’s wedding
Perhaps the most famous Neighbours moment, 20million people tuned in to watch Scott and Charlene Robinson, played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, get married in November 1988.
The pair’s friend and family were seen in floods of tears as Charlene walked down the aisle to Angry Anderson power ballad Suddenly, with neighbour Nell Mangel catching the bouquet.
Mark leaves Annalise at the alter
Mark Gottlieb and Annalise Hartman’s nuptials didn’t go to plan in 1994. While both parties were nervous on the day, Mark left Annalise at the alter, saying he couldn’t marry her.
However, it wasn’t totally down to Annalise as he decided marriage wasn’t for him and decided to become a priest.
The death of Helen Daniels
Helen Daniels, played by the late Anne Haddy, established herself as the grandmother of Ramsay Street.
Embroiled in some gripping storylines, over the years she saw her life stolen by a conman, she had an affair with her daughter’s fiancé, and she fell down some stairs before suffering a stroke.
In a bid to bring the warring Ramsay and Robinson families together, she gathered them round to watch Scott and Charlene’s wedding together but, as they bickered over their differences, she quietly passed away on the sofa in her sleep.
The Lou, Madge and Harold love triangle
Madge Ramsay (Anne Charleston), Harold Bishop (Iain Smith) and Lou Carpenter’s (Tom Oliver) lives were entangled before the show even hit screens, with the trio knowing one another from their school days.
Madge fell head over heels for ‘Jelly Belly’ Harold but was also strongly attracted to cheeky Lou.
However, Madge’s life took an unexpected turn for viewers when she married Fred Mitchell, with their relationship soon becoming troubled.
Madge and Harold later got back together and he proposed much to the distaste of Lou who attempted to win Madge over. Madge eventually married Harold in 1988.
After Harold’s death, Lou set his sights on Madge once more and the pair planned to marry but they called it off when he realised he wasn’t a match for Harold.
Harold returns from the dead
Harold was killed off on the soap when he was swept out to sea when Madge’s back was turned, leaving nothing behind other than his glasses.
However, he made a shock return to Erinsborough five years later, declaring he’d suffered from amnesia, with Helen Daniels running into him by chance while browsing in a Salvation Army shop.
He returned to Ramsay Street to be reunited with Madge.
Madge’s death
Madge appeared on the show from 1986 to 1992 and again from 1996 to 2001 as a much-loved character.
After Harold’s return, the pair renewed their marriage vows and fostered a child but she was later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Doctors told her she had just months to live but further tragedy struck when her life was shortened even further after she developed septicaemia after cutting her finger.
Before her death, Lou confessed his undying love for her and she died in the arms of Harold.
Susan’s memory loss
In typical soap style, Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) totally lost her memory after slipping on the milk from a spilled bowl of cereal in 2002.
She was convinced she was 16 years old again, a situation that left her incredibly confused when she found herself by chance at a 70s-themed birthday party.
Toady’s heartache
Jarrod “Toadfish” Rebecchi, played by Ryan Moloney, found was first heartbroken just hours after his wedding to Dee Bliss (Madeleine West) in 2003 when he lost control of their car and drove it off a cliff, with her body never being found.
In 2010 he left Steph Scully (Carla Bonner) at the alter when he realised she didn’t love him and during his third wedding to Sonya Mitchell (Eve Morey) in 2013, a gas bottle exploded during the reception, destroying their marquee and leaving Sonya with a fractured skull and no memory of the wedding. Characters Priya Kapoor and Rhys Lawson were also killed in the blast.
Source: Read Full Article
