Australian soap Neighbours will end its 37-year run with a double special
(Picture: Neighbours / Instagram)Channel 5 has now announced the air date for the last ever episode of Australian soap Neighbours.
It is being axed after 37 years and 8903 episodes.
The residents of fictional Ramsay Street will bow out during a double episode special which will air on Channel five on July 29 at 9pm.
Viewers can expect a “gripping and emotional finale”, with “fan favourite characters from the past returning to celebrate” alongside the current cast.
They have further teased the send-off “will have something for everyone, spanning all generations and decades from the opening scene in 1985, to the final episode in 2022”.
Soap stalwart Alan Fletcher, who has played Dr Karl Kennedy for 27 years, told the Standard the show’s ending had been kept a secret even from the cast until it was time to film the final episodes last month.
He said: “They are keeping it all very, very top secret I have to say. I go back to finish the last four weeks of the programme soon and I’m expecting some big surprises when I walk into the green room,” Fletcher said.
“Everyone has been voting on different ideas and laughing, but they are keeping it very much underwraps.
“The ink has literally just dried on the very last episode and we’ve really got no idea how it’s going to finish, but I’m sure that whatever happens it will be a huge celebration of 37 years of a wonderful show.”
Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan have been confirmed to reprise their iconic roles as Charlene and Scott Robinson respectively.
Also among the returning stars will be Peter O’Brien who appeared in the show’s first episode as Shane Ramsay, Paul Keane who played Des Clarke, Melissa Bell who played Lucy Robinson, and Lesley Baker as Angie Rebecchi.
Guy Pearce, who went on to find further fame in Hollywood movies such as L.A. Confidential and The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, will also be heading back to Erinsborogh as Mike Young.
