Iconic Australian soap Neighbours stands to be axed after Channel 5 confirmed it will stop airing the show later this year.
The daytime drama about the residents of Ramsay Street has been shown on UK television for more than 30 years and launched the careers of stars including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie.
I t has been a breeding ground of talent which several actors going on to make it big in the worlds of film, TV and music.
Here are 12 Neighbours' actors who left Erinsborough and went on to conquer the world...
Alan Dale / Jim Robinson (1985-1993)
One of the very original Neighbours, Alan played Jim for more than 860 episodes from the very first show until his on-screen death from a heart attack in 1993.
However, he has continued to be a successful actor both in Australia and the United States over the years.
He is famously known for starring in hit series such 24 and Lost, and most recently he played Joseph Anders in CW’s drama Dynasty from 2017 until 2021.
Guy Pearce / Mike Young (1986-1989)
One of the most famous names to come out of Erinsborough. While co-stars Kylie and Jason might have gone on to success in the pop charts, Guy headed to Holywood and established himself as a bona fide leading man.
He received international attention for his breakout role in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and subsequently took starring roles in L.A. Confidential, Christopher Nolan's Memento and The Time Machine. More recently, he has appeared in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, the Marvel action film Iron Man 3 and the historical biopic Mary Queen of Scots.
Margot Robbie / Donna Freedman (2008-2011)
Before the Wolf Of Wall Street siren found fame on the big screen, Margot snapped up the opportunity to play Donna Freedman on the soap.
She had originally signed up for a brief acting stint on the programme but as her popularity grew so did her airtime on the famous street.
After almost three years on the set in 2011, Margot decided to fly the Neighbours nest and hit the big time in Hollywood, striking up roles alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Will Smith, to name a few.
Liam Hemsworth / Josh Taylor (2007-2008)
Liam Hemsworth melted hearts in the film The Hunger Games after his character Gale suffered a crushing blow when the stunning Jennifer Lawrence's Katniss seemed to find love with another.
However, Liam played Bridget Parker's paraplegic friend Josh from 2007 to 2008 on Neighbours before he became a global name.
The Australian actor went on to find love with Wrecking Ball hitmaker Miley Cyrus, with the pair instantly hitting it off when filming The Last Song in June 2008. Although the pair enjoyed an on-and-off romance that included two engagements and tying the knot once, it didn't work out and they announced they were divorcing in August 2019, just eight months after saying "I do".
Chris Hemsworth / Jamie Kane (1 episode, 2002)
Liam might be most memorable Hemsworth on Neighbours but his elder brother Chris holds the title for being the first in the family on the soap.
Melbourne-born Chris appeared in just one episode of the show but was famed for his hunky physic even back then.
Kylie Minogue / Charlene Robinson (1986-1988)
The I Should Be So Lucky songstress is probably one of the most iconic cast members to have found fame on Neighbours as the striking Charlene Robinson.
Although Kylie was only on the soap for two years, she certainly had a lasting effect with fans of the show. In 1988, the blonde Australian bombshell opted to leave her acting career behind her, trying her hand at another passion instead.
That crucial decision certainly paid dividends as the Spinning Around hitmaker went on to be the highest-selling female Australian artist of all time, having sold over 70 million records worldwide
Holly Valance / Felicity Scully (1999-2002)
Holly shot to stardom as the lovable Flick Scully on the soap but like many of her co-stars she wanted a bigger platform to shine.
The stunning actress fled the programme after three years to take up a career in the music industry, releasing a number of songs – like the iconic Kiss Kiss – that landed her a top-three spot in the UK charts.
Following a similar path to other Neighbours stars, she did enter the world of film, most notably in video game adaptation D.O.A: Dead Or Alive.
Russell Crowe / Kenny Larkin (4 episodes, 1987)
Russell only ever starred in four Neighbour episodes and that was mainly because his calling to become a bonafide megastar had been looming.
On the show, he played an ex-con called Kenny Larkin who wreaked so much havoc in the community, from stealing money to sabotaging Henry Mitchell's gardening business, that he was banished from Lassiters, never to be seen again.
The Academy Award-winning actor took Los Angeles by storm, starring in the Box Office smash Gladiator, Robin Hood and Man Of Steel to name a few.
Peter O'Brien / Shane Ramsey (1985-1987)
After a colourful time in Erinsborough, the character left Ramsay Street in 1987 to travel around Australia.
Since leaving Neighbours, Peter was very briefly in the first Wolverine film as Wolverine's dad, but he's more notable for appearances on British telly, including Queer As Folk, Doctor Who and Casualty.
Jesse Spencer / Billy Kennedy (1994-2000)
After Billy left Erinsborough with Anne, Jesse reappeared on American telly working for Hugh Laurie on House MD .
He then went on to be a fireman on Chicago Fire, so presumably will have to play a cop next to get all the stamps on his 'pretending at the emergency services' card.
Natalie Imbruglia / Beth Brennan (1992-1994)
Years before Left of the Middle, Natalie Imbruglia played Beth Brennan in Neighbours and found fame on the small screen.
The aforementioned album went on to sell seven million copies worldwide and she followed it up with White Lilies Island in 2001 and Counting Down the Days three years later.
