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Velvet Winter

Births, deaths, fires and a naked lunch: Fans remember their favourite Neighbours memories

Australian soap Neighbours is coming to an end after 37 years. (ABC News/Network 10)

After 68 deaths, 20 births, 63 weddings and one psychedelic dog dream, Neighbours will broadcast its final episode tonight.

Neighbours has produced thousands of episodes during its 37-year run, becoming a staple of Australian television broadcasting.

In the ramp up to tonight's 90-minute finale, the show has been teasing the return of multiple high-profile alumni that left Ramsay Street and made a beeline for Hollywood.

Eager fans were given their first glimpse of 2022 Charlene and Scott Robinson, aka Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.

We asked you, our readers, to share your Neighbours memories.

Here's what you had to say about your visits to Ramsay Street.

The fastest wedding to 'death' in Neighbours' history

For many, the Neighbours memory that stuck was a pastel yellow station wagon plunging off a cliff into the sea.

"The ending when Toadie and Dee get married where Toadie accidentally drives off the cliff into the sea. That is my best and favourite memory. My family to this day talk about it."

Gareth, NSW

"I remember watching Neighbours in the early 2000s because it was either on before or after The Simpson's with my parents and two younger sisters. I remember when Toadie got married and then had a car accident immediately after and his wife 'died'. I was about 7 years old at the time and I still remember myself and my mum being shocked by it."

Siobhan, QLD

It was revealed in the following episodes that Toadie's bride, Dee, did not die and instead was hiding from a group of gangsters.

Dee Bliss (Madeleine West) and Toadie's (Ryan Moloney) iconic wedding ended in disaster. (Supplied: Network 10)

When in doubt, blow up Lassiters

The Lassiter's complex burning down in TV show Neighbours. (Supplied: Network 10)

The Lassiters complex, home to a hotel, shopping centre, pharmacy and more over the years, is surprisingly flammable.

It turned into a fireball once in 1993, exploded from a gas leak during Toadie's wedding in 2013 (Toadfish just cannot catch a break) but it was the 2004 season-finale complex fire where the nefarious Paul Robinson was re-introduced that made an impact.

"When Lassiters burnt down and at the end of the episode, Paul Robinson appears in the crowd. I raced to the phone to call my sister and screamed down the handset, 'OMG! Paul's back!'"

Amy, VIC

"My earliest memory is probably the Scully family moving into Number 26 in 1999. My favourite storyline was probably the fire that took hold of Lassiter's in 2004 which brought back Paul Robinson. Neighbours will always hold a special place in my heart; it is absolutely remarkable to think that one TV show has been responsible for bringing up generations and acting as the training ground for tens of thousands of Australian media and arts practitioners."

Jay, NSW

Neighbours passes through the generations

Scott (Jason Donovan) and Charlene's (Kylie Minogue) wedding was viewed by over 22 million people worldwide on first broadcast in 1987. (AAP/Network 10)

Scott and Charlene's wedding was a massive culture event when it was broadcast in 1987. More than 2 million Aussies and 20 million people in the UK tuned in to watch the nuptials. 

"I watched Scott and Charlene's wedding in 1987, while in labour with my first baby, in the UK's Royal, Berkshire Hospital maternity ward in the company of a dozen other soon-to-be mothers. I wonder where those babies are now?"

Pauline, WA

"When I was pregnant with my eldest in 2009 I was quite isolated and lonely. Neighbours was how I kept sane, so much that I named my child Declan after the character!"

Peta, QLD

Time to say goodbye

Death is an inevitable part of living and it is no different on Ramsay Street. There has been plenty of heart attacks, car accidents and even a horse fall. Here are the character deaths that affected you most.

"I have never (NEVER!) recovered from Stingray's death! They shattered the hearts of millions that day."

Kiko, VIC

Scott 'Stingray' Timmins, cousin of Toadie, died of a brain aneurysm in 2004, just days after saving his niece's life with a bone marrow donation.

"The episodes leading up to and including the tragic death of Bridget will always stay with me. When I'm feeling nostalgic and wanting a good cry I'll still go on YouTube and watch that scene where it's counting down to her death. Oh, my heart."

Liz, QLD

Poor Bridget Parker had a premonition of her own death while undergoing surgery for a car accident. Her vision came true and she died from internal injuries.

Channel 10 promoted Bridget's death heavily in the lead up to the event. RIP to anyone who can't listen to Kate Miller-Heidke's 'Last Day On Earth' without thinking about that countdown clock.

An international sensation

Many of you told us you watched Neighbours growing up overseas, introducing you to the concept of a sunny Australia.

"I used to watch this show as a boy in Scotland, and loved the look of the place and the people so much that I moved here and married a wonderful Aussie. In the 80s in the UK, Neighbours was such a relief from the economical woes, miners strikes, yuppies, football hooliganism, and general gloomy outlook. Neighbours was awash with smiling people in singlets, basking in warm weather, and looking gorgeous, as they navigated their trials and tribulations."

Dan, VIC

"I was at boarding school in the late 80s in the UK. Everyone would run back to our boarding houses after lunch in time to watch Neighbours and at dinner we'd discuss the latest events in Ramsay Street. It seems a bit bizarre now, but I guess it was a lovely escape from our studies and something to focus on outside the microcosm we were living in."

Tracey, VIC

"I remember watching the first episodes of Neighbours in the UK as a kid. It was an after-school staple just before dinner. I perfected a Harold Bishop impression, and it was a glimpse into an idyllic looking Australian lifestyle from the outskirts of London in North Kent. 30+ years later and here I am living that Australian lifestyle. I have lived here for 21 years, and I think that at a subconscious level Neighbours played a role in shaping my life choices and priorities in a way that led me to a life down under."

Daniel, NSW

More than one naked lunch on Ramsay Street

For the 7,000th episode in 2014, the Neighbours writers decided to go big with a naked lunch, under the guise of Toadie trying to impress some of his naturalist clients.

"When I was a kid back in Norway in the 80's, my sister was a devout Neighbours fan to my great annoyance but fast forward 25+ years and I find myself having a 'naked lunch' on the set of Neighbours with Alan Fletcher (Karl) and Ryan Moloney (Toadie) in episode 7000.

"I was chuffed to hear that this was also Ryan's favourite episode. My character, Niklas Kruger, was brought back for another naked lunch at the Waterhole for episode 8,304. But seeing Alan swanning around in a c**ksock at the first cold August shoot studios in Nunawading will always be a fond memory."

Frank, VIC

Neighbours will officially end with a 90-minute special to be simultaneously aired on Channels 10 and 10 Peach from 7:30pm tonight.

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