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Wales Online
Lifestyle
Kathryn Williams

Neighbours finale: All the legendary characters returning from Madge Bishop and Mike to Charlene and Scott

It's a bittersweet week for soap fans as Neighbours comes to an end for good with a 90-minute special, airing on Friday, July 29. There have already been many returns on-screen, of characters from years gone by, such as Mal Kennedy, Harold Bishop and more and for the final week there are most lined up to delight fans.

The show, which started in 1985 and aired on BBC One in the UK initially, was cancelled earlier this year with the final episodes filming in June. Channel 5 had been co-funding the show but made the decision to stop and no replacement was found.

Let's see who's down to return to Ramsay Street for the final episode. Get your tissues ready.

Read more: Why Joe Mangel from Neighbours is now living in a remote farmhouse in the middle of Wales

Scott & Charlene - Kylie Minogue & Jason Donovan

They had to be top, really, but Scott and Charlene were THE iconic Neighbours couple, always have been and now always will be. From walking down the aisle to Angry Anderson and leaving the street, it's hard to believe the pair were only in the soap for two (Kylie) and three (Jason) years, respectively. But now after all this time they are back.

Executive producer Jason Herbison stated: "Scott and Charlene are the ultimate Neighbours couple and it would not feel right to end the show without them. We are thrilled that Jason and Kylie have come home to play a very special part in our series finale. It has been an emotional experience for them, for us and I'm sure it will be for our viewers."

We can't wait.

Madge Bishop - Anne Charleston

"HAROOOOLDDDDDDD!" No Neighbours fan will ever forget that husky scream as Harold Bishop fell into the waves and disappeared for... well a couple of years. Now, despite dying more than two decades ago, Madge is due to return, according to reports, as a ghost.

Mike Young - Guy Pearce

Guy Pearce was another early icon who went on to a massive post-Neighbours career and spent three years on Ramsay Street in the late-'80s romancing Jane Harris. Guy's movie career took an upturn after his performance as Felicia in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and he went on to score roles in LA Confidential, Momento, The Hurt Locker, Iron Man 3 and loads more. Mike will be back on the Street having relocated back to Erinsborough with his daughter.

Donna Freedman - Margot Robbie

Margot Robbie (PA)

About to be seen as Barbie in a big screen outing for the iconic toy with Ryan Gosling, Margot got her break as Donna Goodman in the soap back in 2008. She was there for three years and after that her Hollywood career took off.

With parts in The Wolf of Wall Street, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and, of course, Harley Quinn in DC's Suicide Squad. She's been nominated for two Oscars and in 2019 was ranked as one of the world's highest paid actress.

While her appearance in the finale is said to be over Zoom, the actress sent a case of Champagne to the set to mark the show's end.

Nina Tucker - Delta Goodrem

An established singer in Australia, Delta joined Neighbours in 2002 and played Nina for three years. She went on to have a successful music career outside of Ramsay Street and battled Hodgkins Lymphoma. She's been a coach on The Voice, played Olivia Newton-John in a biopic and returned to Neighbours in 2015 briefly for its 30th anniversay.

Billy Kennedy - Jesse Spencer

The youngest of the Kennedy clan, Billy was part of the show from 1994 to 2000, returning briefly in 2005 and now for the finale, too. Spencer moved to the US after quitting Neighbours getting starring roles on House, opposite Hugh Laurie and he just left a nine-year stint on Chicago Fire.

Libby Kennedy - Kym Valentine

Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine) with husband Drew (BBC)

Libby was doomed to heartbreak after on-screen husband Drew was killed in a horse-riding accident. She will reunite with on-screen brothers Billy and Mal (who is already featuring in the soap). She originally appeared between 1994 and 2004 before returning in 2007 until 2011.

Joel Samuels - Daniel MacPherson

MacPherson, who played Joel Samuels between 1998 and 2002 said of reprising his role, on Digital Spy; "It is the biggest head spin coming back here. I haven't been on the Neighbours set for 20-something years, even the drive out here my mind was blowing."

Joel was a roommate of Toadie's for four years and among his storylines was the big stunt where he was trapped under Anne Wilkinson's Ute in a river and was told he may not be able to walk again.

MacPherson went on to star in The Bill, Strike Back and co-hosted Dancing with the Stars.

Des Clarke - Paul Keane

Paul Keane as Des Clarke in early episodes of Neighbours (Grundy Television/Freemantle)

One of the originals, Des was in the first episode and he'll be in the final one, too, as he revisits old pal Paul Robinson. Des was, of course, married to Daphne and was on the show from 1985 to 1990 and struggled with the sudden fame the role brought, quitting acting.

Steph Scully - Carla Bonner

Steph Scully (Channel 5)

First appearing in 1999 with the other Scullys, Steph, like most soap characters, went through the ringer a bit - unrequited love, motorbike accident, breast cancer, being sectioned. Bonner left after 11 years, in 2010, but returned for a two-month stint in 2013 and then returned for three years from 2015-2018.

Shane Ramsay - Peter O'Brien

Shane featured in Neighbours' first ever episode. He was seen training to become an Olympic swimmer, before a back injury halted those dreams for good. Shane was also charged with manslaughter, but the charge was later dropped. He left Erinsborough in 1987 to travel Australia, and hasn't been seen since.

The final Neighbours episode will air on Channel 5 on Friday July 29.

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