Australian soap Neighbours has revealed that their final scenes have been filmed ahead of the long-running drama's finale in August. Back in February, rumours began to circle that the show, which started in 1985, had been axed. It was then confirmed that after 37 years the show would cease production in June 2022.
The decision had to be made after Channel 5 pulled out as the show's UK broadcasting partner. Despite numerous petitions from life-long fans - including one that reached more than 68k signatures - the soap has now confirmed it has filmed its finale scenes. The last episode will be a nostalgic viewing for many, as stars from the show's past will reunite for one final episode.
Throughout the three decades Neighbours has been airing on our screens, viewers have been treated to plenty of unforgettable moments, from dramatic scenes to iconic weddings and a number of famous cameos, The Mirror reports. There have been almost 9,000 episodes, so there's plenty to chose from but here are some of the most memorable moments the soap is sure to be remembered for:
Scott Robinson and Charlene Mitchell's wedding
The wedding between Scott and Charlene is still known as one of soap's most iconic nuptials - and there's plenty of competition when it comes to memorable soap characters getting hitched. But a whopping 20 million Brits tuned in to watch Jason Donovan and pop icon Kylie Minogue tie the knot as power couple Scott and Charlene in November 1988.
It may have been almost 35 years ago but their single Especially For You, which went to number one, is still an all time classic and the pair will be reuniting for the final episode.
Todd returns as a ghost
Fictional character Todd Landers first arrived on Ramsay Street in 1988 but he was killed four years later, in a shock and sudden accident when he was hit by a van whilst dashing to the clinic where his girlfriend was planning to abort their baby.
He returned from the grave in 1992 - but this time as a ghost in a mirror. He appeared shortly after the couple's child was born to his bereaved girlfriend Phoebe Bright.
Marlene Kratz's mysterious disappearance
One of Neighbour's most famous talked about moments was when Marlene Kratz played by the late Moya O'Sullivan left Ramsay Street for a three-month cruise in 1997 - but never returned. Many soap fans spent years wondering what happened to her character but finally in 2005, they got their answer. For the soap's 20th anniversary, Marlene returned via a video message and it was was revealed that she had decided to remain sailing the seas.
Bouncer the dog's dream scene
A scene which many Neighbours fans may have thought they had imagined but it was in fact a real scene. In 1990, Neighbours star Bouncer the Labrador, who was owned by the Mangel family dreamed he was marrying the Border Collie dog, Rosie who lived next door. In the YouTube comments one viewer, Sean Cotter said: "For YEARS I wasn't sure if I'd hallucinated this" whilst another viewer Frankling Goodwin said: "Please let the end of Neighbours be a reveal that the entirety of the show was in fact Bouncer's dream".
Harold's return from the dead
In September 1991, the iconic Harold Bishop - who will be returning for the soap's final episode later this summer - was presumed dead when he fell off rocks and went into the sea while on a coastal holiday with wife Madge, leaving behind just his glasses. But in true soap style, and in a crazy storyline that actually worked quite well - he came back from the dead five years later. However he returned with amnesia and was now known as Ted but with the help of Madge, Harold slowly began to regain his memories.
Celebrity cameos
Throughout the years, Neighbours has welcomed plenty of famous faces to feature in the Australian soap. When Susan and Karl got remarried in London in 2007, Neil Morrissey starred as their vicar whilst Julian Clary, Sinitta, Spice Girl Emma Bunton and Jono Coleman all made appearances.
Singer Lilly Allen featured on Ramsay Street in 2009 and ten years later in 2019, Jess Glynne made an appearance. Loose Women star and journalist Janet Street-Porter including Little Britain stars David Walliams and Matt Lucas and Michael Parkinson have also all had cameos.
More recently Amanda Holden and Sophie Ellis-Bextor joined the Neighbours cast for a brief stint when it filmed scenes in London in October 2021 alongside Jason Donovan's daughter Jemma, who plays Harlow Robinson. The scenes aired in March 2022.
Toadfish's disastrous wedding
Memorable soap wedding number two had to go to Toadie and Dee's special day in 2003. Shortly after tying the knot, Toadie Rebecchi also known as "Toadfish" accidently drove his car over a cliff whilst mid-kiss with his newly-wed bride Dee. It seemed that she had died in the accident but of course, in true Neighbours style she reappeared 14 years later.
Dee's evil doppelgänger
The storyline for Dee turned out to be even more bizarre when her doppelgänger made an arrival on Ramsay Street. A woman named Andrea Somers, who was played by Dee actress Madeleine West, impersonated Dee to try and defraud Toadie.
When the real long-lost character actually made her return from the dead in 2019, the pair went into a dramatic showdown as Dee wanted to out the fraudster. But the fight ended up with Dee going over a cliff once again.
Susan's shock slip which left her with amnesia
Susan and Karl Kennedy have been part of Neighbours for so long, it's impossible to imagine the soap without them. But they've not had the easiest of journey's during their time on Ramsay Street, it's been rocky to say the least. But one of the more memorable moments happened in 2002, when Susan slipped on an upturned bowl of cereal.
Unfortunately, the character suffered a bad head injury, which caused her to lose 30 years of memories including her life with on/off husband Karl. Susan believed she was 16 - and the storyline got even more confusing when she wandered into a 1970s-themed party.
The Ramsay Street tornado
Back in 2014, Ramsay Street was hit by a natural disaster when a tornado hit Erinsborough causing carnage and leaving Lou Carpenter’s life in danger. A roof collapsed on him but thankfully Susan Kennedy saved the day, performing an emergency tracheotomy with the assistance of husband Dr Karl - who talked her through the procedure on the phone.
Neighbours airs weekdays on Channel 5 and My5 from 1.45pm and the final episode will air on Monday, August 1.
