THE curtains are nearly closed on Australian soap Neighbours but not before a big send-off episode airs.
After nearly four decades on air, Neighbours was axed and stars are returning in their droves to take part in the farewell episode.
Which former Neighbours stars are returning for the final episode?
Neighbours has been a fan favourite since it started back in 1985, providing an insight into the lives of those who live at Ramsay Street.
Not only has the soap been unbelievably popular, it has also introduced some of the worlds biggest stars with its former cast.
Speaking about shooting the final episode, executive producer Jason Herbison told fans: "We all knew this day was coming but until we were here in this moment when the very last scene was filmed, it was hard to express how we would all feel", said .
"Of course, it is sad and tears were shed, but we’re also enormously proud. 37 years is an incredible achievement and that should be celebrated."
Kylie and Jason
In a move which is sure to leave die-hard fans sobbing, The Sun revealed the final scene will show Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan returning to Ramsey Street – 34 years after they quit the soap.
In an emotional moment, the pair turn to each other before beaming and declaring they are "home".
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Kylie, 54, and Jason, 54, both saw they career skyrocket after playing Charlene and Scott Robinson on Neighbours.
Kylie last appeared on the show in July 1988 while Jason stayed a year longer – not leaving until May 89.
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Since then they have both gone on to sell millions of albums around the world.
Their 1988 single Especially For You debuted at number 2 in the UK charts and after a campaign by fans 2014 surpassed a million sales.
Guy Pearce
Guy, 54, will reprise his role as Mike Young to pay tribute to the show that put him on the map.
The actor got his big break when he starred on the show between 1986 and 1989, and has not been back since.
Guy said: "It is very exciting and surreal at the same time being back on set again, however it feels like coming home.
"It’s where it all started for me professionally. I’ve been asked to come back on occasions over the years and wondered if it was the right thing to do, but once I knew the show was finishing, I knew I had to do it."
Since Neighbours, Mike has since gone on to be a big screen sensation in Hollywood movies such as Momento, LA Confidential and Iron Man 3.
Guy also starred in one of the most acclaimed shows of 2021, Mare of Easttown, alongside Kate Winslet.
Margot Robbie
Star of Barbie and The Wolf Wall Street, Margot Robbie will return to Ramsay Street for the finale.
While the 32-year-old could not be there in person, she has recorded a special clip and sent 37 bottles of champagne for the cast to enjoy.
Margot appeared on the show between 2008 and 2011 as Donna Freedman.
During her time on the show, her character's storylines included a relationship with Ringo Brown (Sam Clark) whom she later married, a same-sex kiss with Sunny Lee (Hany Lee), and an affair with Andrew Robinson (Jordan Patrick Smith).
Since Neighbours, Margot has skyrocketed to Hollywood fame much like other Ramsay Street alum, Russell Crowe (who is not returning for the episode).
While Donna was a regular on the soap, Margot is now a regular in the DC Comics films portraying the fun and fabulous Harley Quinn in multiple films.
Ian Smith
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.
"Having him back on set has been poignant for him and for us. He’s been very involved in the storyline, and I can’t wait to finally answer the question for viewers – 'who is Mike Young today?'."
Jesse Spencer
Jesse is better known as Billy Kennedy to Neighbours fans and appeared on the show between 1994 and 2004, on and off.
He has gone on to major roles in American TV show House and Chicago Fire and the 43-year-old also plays the violin in Band from TV, a group that includes his former House co-star Hugh Laurie.
Billy was introduced as the youngest of the new family, The Kennedys, in the early 90s and had love triangles and cheating plot lines too.
Delta Goodrem
Singer, songwriter and actress Delta Goodrem, 37, will return as shy singer Nina Tucker, who she first played in 2002.
Since her time on the show she has released multiple singles and albums, one of which she wrote and recorded after a battle with cancer.
Nina Tucker's time on the show was short due to Delta's cancer diagnosis but she returned once she was in remission to tie up loose storyline and has appeared in anniversary episodes too.
Daniel MacPherson
Ramsay Street hunk Daniel MacPherson, 42, who played Joel Samuels for four years from 1998, is representing the 1990s.
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.”
Who else appears in the final episode?
Fans will also get to see many more of the soap's familiar faces saying goodbye too.
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, as well as Mark Little, who is known for playing Joel Mangel.
Carla Bonner, 49, and Kym Valentine, 45, will also be returning as Stephanie Scully and Libby Kennedy respectively.
In 1999, Carla took over the role of Steph after Emma Roche quit and has played the character on and off returning in brief stints over the past 20 years.
Kym joined the cast in the early 90s and stayed until 2004, she has had multiple indefinite leaves from the show and is set to return for the finale.
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.”
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.
The regular cast who will also be on the episode include:
- Stefan Dennis
- Jackie Woodburne
- Ryan Moloney
- Freya Van Dyke
- Lucinda Cowden
- Scarlett Anderson
- John Turner
- Alan Fletcher
- Zima Anderson
- Annie Jones
- Harlow Herbison-Fuentes
- Rebekah Elmaloglou
- Kate Kendall
- Sally-Anne Upton
- Richard Huggett
- April Rose Pengilly
- Takaya Honda
- Richie Morris
- Gemma Bird Matheson
- Georgie Stone
- Candice Leask
- Lloyd Will
- Emerald Chan
- Jacinta Stapleton
- Paul Keane
- Charlotte Chimes
- Tim Kano
- Phoebe Roberts
- Ben Hall
- Matt Wilson
When will Neighbours finish?
Neighbours airs on Network Ten in Australia, and Channel 5 here in the UK.
It was announced back in February 2022 that the long running soap had been cancelled.
Neighbours filmed its last scenes on June 10, 2022.
The soap will air the final episode on August 1, 2022.
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