We’ve followed the lives of Ramsay Street’s residents for more than three decades.
From characters returning from the dead, to horrifying accidents, no other neighbourhood could have endured so many shocking twists and turns.
But after almost 37 years on the air, Neighbours is coming to an end.
“We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June,” the show’s Twitter account announced in March 2022.
“Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK 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.”
The long-running soap was first rumoured to end when Channel Five in the UK, the show’s biggest financial backer in recent years, announced that it will not renew the program after this coming British summer.
“We recognise that there will be disappointment about this decision, however our current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama, which has strong appeal for our viewers,” the network said in a statement.
In honour of the soap that we watched and enjoyed for decades, we’re taking a look back at its most shocking moments.
Toadie and Dee finally get hitched!
Toadie (Ryan Moloney) might have been down the aisle several times over the years, but none more memorable than his 2003 wedding to Dee (Madeleine West). The couple’s happiness was short-lived when their car plunged off the road shortly after the ceremony and Dee was lost at sea.
Drew and Libby tie the knot
The quintessential girl-next-door was all grown-up. Libby (Kym Valentine) finally found her prince when she wed the immensely likable Drew (Dan Paris). For their 2001 wedding, Drew paid tribute to his Scottish heritage and wore a kilt, while Libby was walked down the aisle by her proud father Karl (Alan Fletcher).
Scott and Charlene’s TV wedding of the century
Crazy in love couple Scott (Jason Donovan) and Charlene (Kylie Minogue) had their iconic wedding in 1987. The two made it to the altar after a rocky relationship due to their families feuding. Their romantic church ceremony became one of the most watched TV moments of the decade.
Ringo and Donna marry
Bride Donna (Margot Robbie) arrived in style for her 2010 wedding – in the back of a police car! She hitched a ride with the cops after she was pulled over for racing to her wedding in the back of a ute. Margot described the pink Cinderella dress Donna wore for the nuptials to Ringo (Sam Clark), as “very fairytale”. And from a 2022 lens, it totally matches her current Barbie role!
Madge Bishop dies
Long-time Ramsay Street resident Madge (Anne Charleston) died in 2001 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. The matriarch of the Bishop family died at home in her beloved husband Harold’s (Ian Smith) arms. Madge made a brief return in 2014 when she appeared in one of Harold’s dreams.
Helen Daniels passes away
Iconic Neighbours character Helen (Anne Haddy) died in 1997 after an illness. At the time, Anne had portrayed the character for more than 10 years. During the touching scenes, Helen returned home from hospital and was watching a video of Charlene (Kylie Minogue) and Scott’s (Jason Donovan) wedding on the couch, surrounded by friends, when she passed away.
Drew Kirk’s accident
Young husband and father Drew (Dan Paris) died in 2002 after he suffered injuries following a fall from a horse. There wasn’t a dry eye in the church when wife Libby (Kym Valentine) sang “Wild Mountain Thyme” at his funeral. It was the same song Drew had sung to her at their earlier wedding reception.
Harold Bishop returns
One of Aussie TV’s most memorable character returns was when Harold (Ian Smith) turned up in Erinsborough after a five-year absence. Harold disappeared in 1991 after he was presumed lost at sea. Yet in 1996, he returned. It was revealed he’d suffered amnesia and had been working for the Salvation Army as he built a new life.
That shocking plane crash
To mark the show’s 20th anniversary in 2005, Neighbours planned an explosive storyline that featured a plane crash over Bass Strait. The plane was damaged when a bomb exploded in the air and the subsequent crash into the sea killed main character regulars David (Kevin Harrington), Liljana (Marcella Russo) and Serena Bishop (Lara Sacher).
Karl Kennedy’s affair
The scandalous affair that rocked the Kennedy marriage was one of Neighbours most memorable storylines and was covered extensively by our sister site, TV WEEK. In 1998, Karl (Alan Fletcher) admitted to wife Susan (Jackie Woodburne) he’d had an affair with colleague Sarah (Nicola Charles). Susan’s subsequent reaction, where she slapped Karl, was one of the drama’s most iconic scenes.
This article first appeared on our sister site, Now to Love.
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