Neighbours has been a teatime favourite treat for 37 years now. But alas, the end is nigh as the final episode of the much-loved soap airs on July 29. Of course, with nearly four decades of history to call on, it’s a huge deal to decide what— or who — the show should focus on as it reaches its final weeks.
Neighbours producer Jason Herbison has promised to honour the show’s legacy with the return of some old favourites to Ramsay Street as part of the finale. Recent years have seen viewers treated to several legacy characters heading home for a visit, with even long-dead Jim Robinson (Alan Dale) making an appearance! But Jason hints there could be even bigger treats in the offing. “I’m definitely hoping some of these faces return along with others we haven’t been able to lure back until now,” he teased to TV Tonight.
But with Neighbours well known as a breeding ground for future stars, will the big names first discovered on the show say ‘thank you’ by making a cheeky return visit?
Here’s some of the biggest stars returning to say goodbye to Ramsay Street...
- Why did Neighbours Scott and Charlene leave Ramsay Street – and why are they back?
- Neighbours reveals full list of CONFIRMED famous faces returning for final episodes
Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan (Scott and Charlene Robinson)
The couple’s wedding is considered to be Neighbours' most famous moment and fans were hopeful that both Kylie and Jason would return to the soap.
So the good news is that both Neighbours legends are reprising their roles in the final episode, according to reports in The Sun, it has been revealed that the very last thing viewers will see before the Neighbours' end credits roll for the very last time is Kylie and Jason arriving on Ramsay Street as Scott and Charlene and emotionally declaring they are 'home'.
Pippa Black (Elle Robinson)
Pippa Black was originally in Neighbours 2005 to 2009 where she played the role of Lucinda "Elle" Robinson Elle was a "bad girl", who would gave Izzy Hoyland (Natalie Bassingthwaighte) a "run for her money" in the soap, and she was a triplet alongside brothers Robert and Cameron.
She's among those returning to Neighbours for its final episode but what is she up to?
Ian Smith (Harold Bishop)
Ian Smith has been a recurring actor in Neighbours since 1987 and he'll be playing Harold Bishop one last time in the upcoming finale.
Harold was known as the local buffoon but a very kindly man, however his nastier side surfaced in 2005 after a stroke. In addition to this he was assumed dead, and in what is possibly his most well-known storyline he had suffered amnesia and had assumed the name Ted, meaning he was missing for 5 years.
Guy Pearce (Mike Young)
Early years favourite Jane Harris (Annie Jones) – aka ‘Plain Jane Super Brain’ – has been back on the show for a couple of years now. So, what a feel-good ending it would make if she was to be reunited with her childhood sweetheart Mike – also known as Hollywood superstar Guy Pearce.
Good news then, because Guy Pearce is set to reprise his iconic role as Mike Young in the finale of the much-loved Australian soap but will there be romance?
Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Izzy Hoyland)
When Izzy returns to Neighbours she claims to be a changed woman, and appears to be madly in love with Mal Kennedy and has another chance encounter with Shane Ramsay (Peter O'Brien), so her return to the beloved Aussie soap is quite the whirlwind.
Natalie Bassingthwaighte played the role of Izzy Hoyland between 2003–2007 before returning in 2018 and now she's set to say goodbye one final time.
Neighbours currently airs weekdays at 1.45 pm and 5.30 pm on Channel 5. The final episode airs on Friday, July 29 at 9pm.
