Neighbours finale line up revealed – including soap legends Kylie Minogue, Jason Donavan & Ian Smith
NEIGHBOURS bosses have secured some of the soap’s most popular characters for its big finale - after persuading Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan to return.
The Sun on Sunday can reveal the full list of returnees which includes stars from each of the four decades that it’s been on our screens.
Representing the 1980s alongside Kylie and Jason who played fan favourites Scott and Charlene Robinson, are Mark Little, 62, loveable Joe Mangle, Paul Keane, 64, who played Des Clarke, and Peter O’Brien as Shane Ramsay, 62.
As we revealed back in February Neighbours legend Ian Smith, 83, will be returning as Harold Bishop and he couldn’t be more proud to be a big part of it all as the show comes to an emotional end after 37 years.
He said: “It’s an absolute pleasure to be back. I'm the biggest sook under the sun. I'm going to be shocking on the last night that Neighbours airs. It really will be an end of an era and I am so proud to have been a part of it.”
Ramsay Street hunk Daniel MacPherson, 42, who played Joel Samuels for four years from 1998, is representing the 1990s.
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Speaking about going back he said: “Joining Neighbours at age 17, little did I know, was going to kick start a career that continues to be the adventure of a lifetime. To go back and play Joel one more time, was a small way to show my enormous gratitude to cast, crew and fans of the show.”
Melissa Bell, 49, who played Scott and Paul Robinson’s little sister Lucy, Benjamin McNair, the Kennedy’s eldest son Mal and Lesley Baker, 78, who played Toadie Rebecchi’s mum, are all returnees from the 90s era.
Natalie Bassingthwaighte, 46, who played manipulative minx Izzy Hoyland, was at the centre of some of the soap’s biggest storylines in the 00s.
She said: “It is such an honour to be invited back to celebrate the end of an era. I can’t wait to bring Izzy back to life, reunite with the cast and send off Neighbours with a bang.”
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Paul Robinson’s two children Elle and Andrew, played by Pippa Black, 39, and Jordan Patrick Smith, 32, and Toadie’s son Callum, played by Morgan Baker, 24, are also returning to help take viewers back to that decade. As is Chris Milligan, 33, who joined the soap in 2008 as hunky Kyle Canning.
While Olympia Valance, 29, popular Paige Smith, James Mason, 32, who played Chris Pappas for five years from 2010, and Jodi Gordon, 37, school teacher Elly Conway, are returning from the 2020s era.
Zoe Cramond, 37, who played Paul Robinson’s eldest child Amy Williams and Kate Kendall, 48, Lou Carpenter’s daughter Lauren Turner are also returning.
Actor Ben Hall, 29, who played Ned Willis, the son of 90s character Beth Brennan and Olivia Junkeer, 23, Ramsay Streey’s Yashvi Rebecchi, complete the list so far.
But the soap's top boss hasn't ruled out more big name returns, which could well include Hollywood actor Guy Pearce, 54, as Mike Young and pop star Natalie Imbruglia, 47, who played Ned's mum Beth.
Neighbours’ Executive Producer, Jason Herbison, said: “Whether the eighties, nineties, noughties or teens is your favourite decade, we will be delivering something for everyone as Neighbours draws to a close. Alongside the current cast we will be celebrating the most memorable characters from across many eras, with a few surprises up our sleeve.”
As The Sun on Sunday exclusively revealed, the hit Aussie soap, which has been on Channel 5 since 2008, was axed after the television network was unable to reach a deal with Fremantle, who they pay to make the soap.
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They will finish filming next month with the hour-long last ever episode to be screened on Monday 1st August.
Bosses had hoped to find a new home for the 37-year-old soap but sadly no-one has come forward.
