Australian soap opera Neighbours is nearing 40 years old - but there's a real danger the show will fall short of the milestone.
The future of the Ramset Street set has been thrown into question after Channel 5 confirmed it will stop airing the daytime drama later this year.
The show about the residents of Erinsborough has been shown on UK television for more than 35 years and launched the careers of stars including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie.
Channel 5 said dropping the soap will allow funding to be diverted to original UK dramas.
Over the years, Neighbours has welcomed plenty of guest stars who were all too keen for a quick cameo, reports the Mirror.
From Emma Bunton to David Walliams, many stars have made Neighbours their good friend...
Russell Brand
The comedian put in a guest appearance in the Aussie soap in 2020, after filming during a tour down under.
In his surprise visit to Ramsay Street, the star ran into Neighbours icon, Jarrod “Toadie” Rebecchi, played by Ryan Moloney, who is astounded and says: “You’re Russell Brand! What are you doing here?”.
The comic claims to be: “Touring the world, spreading the message – life, love, limitless.”
Chris Lowe
Back in 1995 Pet Shop Boy Chris asked for directions to a recording studio before telling characters, Marlene Kratz (Moya O’Sullivan) and Helen Daniels (Anne Haddy), that he is a member of the pop group.
And it turns out the Pet Shop Boys had some super fans on Ramsay Street too.
For, after Chris has driven away in his sports car, Annalise Hartman (Kimberley Davies) is devastated to find she missed the interaction, storming off and saying she is one of the band’s biggest fans.
Clive James
Ex-pat Australian, Clive James, went back to his home country for a walk-on in Neighbours as a postman in 1996.
Speaking about the cameo years later, Clive who died last year aged 80, said it was “the biggest audience I’ve ever reached” and said that Ramsay Street was the “desiderata that everybody in the world wanted.”
Shane Warne
Australian cricket legend Shane Warne made not one but two trips to Erinsborough in 2006. In the show, Neighbour’s stalwart, Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) announced that he was going to donate money to the star’s charity, the Shane Warne Foundation for underprivileged children. And the sportsman visited the set again to collect the cash.
Emma Bunton
While filming in London, in 2007, Neighbours became the go-to for a number of British stars, including Emma Bunton. She helped Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) and his partner Susan Kinski (Jackie Woodburn) - on a trip of a lifetime to the UK for a romantic wedding ceremony on the Thames, by searching for their lost ring.
Unsuspecting Karl had no idea who the former Spice Girl was.
Michael Parkinson
Also during filming in the UK in 2007, Karl bumped into Parky while buying postcards.
A star-struck Karl immediately asked for an autograph and told the broadcaster to send his regards to Dame Edna.
In a more low-key role, Radio 1 DJ, Jo Whiley appeared as a diner in a restaurant. And Susan asked to borrow her napkin to write down a telephone number.
Matt Lucas and David Walliams
Playing their Little Britain counterparts, Andy Pipkin and Lou Todd, the comedians appeared in a 2007 episode of the soap when they pop in to Erinsborough’s Scarlet Bar.
Hilariously, Andy sneakily jumps out of his wheelchair to play a video game, while Lou asks Harold Bishop for help.
Toadie, Steph Hoyland (Carler Bonner) and Pepper Steiger (Nicky Whelan) also feature in the scene.
Tim Vine
Comedian, Tim Vine, made his Neighbours debut in 2009 as a lost tourist, and described it as a “dream come true”.
The star, known for his roles in Not Going Out and The Sketch Show, said: “Mum and Dad are absolutely huge fans of the show, so I’m hoping they’ll just be watching it one day and I’ll suddenly pop up.
“They’ll fall forwards off their armchairs if they see me on it.”
Andre Rieu
Dubbed the show’s “weirdest ever storyline” in an online poll, Dutch violinist Andre Rieu arrived in Ramsay Street in 2008.
The musician turns up at the request of Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) who is trying to make amends with his wife, Rebecca (Jane Hall).
And his appearance seems to do the trick - as not only is Rebecca delighted, but the whole street gets involved in an impromptu dance, as Andre produces a Stradivarius out the back seat of a limousine.
Dave Bautista
Professional wrestler, Dave Bautista, seized the chance of a Neighbours cameo in order to promote a WWE tour, in 2009.
He said: “I don’t remember how it happened but I was just as surprised to be there as they were to see me. I didn’t know how big it was.”
It was the American’s first-ever acting gig but it gave the former wrestling champion a taste for a new career and, since leaving the ring in 2010, he’s starred in huge films such as Guardians of the Galaxy, playing the role of Drax.
Lily Allen
Lily appeared on Ramsay Street in 2009. During the cameo, she did an interview and sang a song for the show’s fictional radio station, PirateNet, which was hosted by Zeke (Matthew Werkmeister).
And Lily certainly enjoyed her time on the show, she gushed: “Me and doctor Karl get our flirt on. Quite funny.”
Paula Abdul
Former American Idol judge, Paula Abdul, made waves in her appearance on Neighbours as she turned up during Karl’s 20th wedding anniversary celebrations with Susan, in 2014.
The singer was revealed as Karl’s secret crush. Paula says: “Everyone was so nice and I will admit, Dr Karl was very charming. I had a really lovely time.”
Janet Street Porter
Janet appeared on Neighbours as part of the Loose Women’s “20 before 20” challenge, which saw the panelists tick off items on their wish lists before celebrating 20 years on air, in 2019.
In her short cameo, the journalist is seen staying at the Lassiter hotel and sharing a conversation with Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou).
But while her Loose Women pals praised the performance, Janet wasn’t sure that it was enough to earn her a full-time role.
Jess Glynne
The singer said she’d fulfilled her “bucket list” after landing her dream role on Neighbours last year.
During the show, Jess performed to drinkers in neighbourhood bar, The Waterhole.
She said: “I’ve been watching Neighbours since I was a little kid, I grew up with it, so it’s a very surreal experience to be here on the set and be actually acting. My family are so excited.”
Courtney Act and Jake Shears
Drag Race superstar and Celebrity Big Brother winner Courtney Act brought a touch of glamour to Ramsay Street during her guest appearance earlier this year.
As part of her cameo, the drag queen filmed with David Tanaka (Takaya Honda) and Aaron Brennan (Matt Wilson), who play the show’s first same-sex married couple.
In Courtney’s “first acting gig since high school”, the trio attend the Mardi Gras parade.
And David and Aaron are in for another surprise at the party, when they also bump into Scissor Sisters frontman, Jake Shears.
