Neighbours release teaser trailer and reveal more returning cast members ahead of finale
The last episode will air on 29th July
Last updated 25th Jul 2022
Fans were clearly upset when the decision was made to end the long-running Australian TV show Neighbours, but were later excited to find out that Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan would be returning to Ramsay Street as Charlene and Scott. Filming of the soap ended on 10th June, and as we get closer to the finale airing on TV, a new teaser trailer has been shared.
After 37 years on air and nearly 9000 episodes, Australian TV show Neighbours was axed. The show, which is currently shown on Channel 5, first started out on BBC 1 in 1986 and launched the careers of several very famous faces, including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Natalie Imbruglia, and Margot Robbie.
The teaser trailer shows clips of what's to come in the last-ever Neighbours episode, including some of the familiar faces we'll be seeing, including Kylie and Jason as they arrive back on Ramsay Street.
Just days before, the soap also revealed even more characters that would be returning for the finale, writing on Twitter: 'Surprise! 👀 You didn’t think we were done did you?!
'We’re thrilled to share that Margot Robbie, Jesse Spencer, Delta Goodrem, Kym Valentine and Carla Bonner will all make an appearance in our finale! 🎉'
It looks like the final episode will be packed with returning faces, and fans were thrilled to hear that they would get to see these Neighbours legends together again. Alongside, Kylie and Jason, we'll see the return of Margot Robbie who played Donna Freedman from 2008 to 2011, Guy Pearce who appeared as Mike Young, as well as Kym Valentine, Daniel MacPherson, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Ian Smith, Carla Bonner and Delta Goodman.
On 11th July, Kylie shared some special reunion photos with her on-screen husband. She posted a series of sweet photos showing the pair embracing on social media with the caption: ‘Now we’re back together', referring to the lyrics from their 1989 song ‘Especially For You’.
Eagle-eyed fans will be able to spot the green Mini that Charlene drove in the background of the photos of the two together! Kylie also included a snap of an autographed Ramsay Street sign with both Kylie and Jason's signatures.
On 10th June, to mark the final day of filming, the official Neighbours Instagram account shared a photo of the cast on set for the last time for the final day of filming with the caption: 'That's a wrap 💛'.
The photos have made fans even more excited to watch the famous on-screen couple as well as the rest of the cast in the final episodes of Neighbours.
When will the last episode of Neighbours be on?
The final episode of Neighbours will air in the UK on Friday 29th July at 9pm on Channel 5. The episode will air one day earlier in Australia.
Kylie spoke out about returning to the set, and explained: "It was lovely and emotional. Driving into Ramsay Street was quite something.
"There was a lot of talking about memories and going back in time."
What will happen in the Neighbours final?
As well as making sure the soap goes out with a special episode, there will also be other programmes airing to celebrate the show's amazing run.
Greg Barnett, the Channel 5 commissioning editor, told Digital Spy: "I can confirm that the UK finale will be unique in that it is a specially-created hour with a bespoke super-tease (voiced by Stefan Dennis) and there will be commercial tracks, the most we've ever used in one episode. A mix of contemporary and classic, but each one fitting and designed to enhance the viewer experience."
He also shared details of the other show they would be airing, including Neighbours: Made Me A Star, which follows the successful careers of the cast's biggest stars, with interviews, anecdotes, and even audition tapes.
Fans can also watch Neighbours: All The Pop Hits & More; Especially For You, to celebrate the pop music successes of Kylie, Jason, Holly Valance, Delta Goodrem, Natalie Imbruglia, and Stefan Dennis, with facts and videos from their careers.
Why was Neighbours cancelled?
The iconic TV show, which is set in the fictional Melbourne suburb Erinsborough, first started production in 1985, being shown for the first time in the UK on BBC 1 a year later. Then, in 2008 the show moved to Channel 5, who also paid towards the production of the soap.
Despite hope the show could be saved, producers confirmed the devastating news back in March that the popular soap will come to an end in June 2022.
The statement read: 'We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June. Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK and despite an extensive search for alternative funding, we simply have no option but to rest the show
'To our amazing, loyal fans, we know this is a huge disappointment, as it is to all of us on the team. We thank you for all your messages and support and promise to end the show on an incredible high. From here on, we are celebrating Neighbours.'
The news came after Channel 5 revealed the soap would 'no longer air' back in February.
A spokesperson for the show said at the time: "Neighbours will no longer air on Channel 5 beyond this summer.
"We recognise that there will be disappointment about this decision, however our current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama, which has strong appeal for our viewers."
Following the announcement that the soap would be axed, a petition was set up by fans, attracting more than 11,000 signatures. However, this sadly didn't work, and the final episodes were filmed in June.
Now take a look at TV shows we wish would make a comeback:
Dad's Army
Written by Jimmy Perry and David Croft, Dad's Army ran for nine series on the BBC between 1968 and 1977.
The popular sitcom was about the UK's Home Guard during the Second World War and it gained an impressive 18 million viewers!
Fawlty Towers
Although only two series of Fawlty Towers was made, the show was very popular when it aired on BBC Two between 1975 and 1979.
Written by John Cleese and Connie Booth, the sitcom, which was set in the fictional hotel of Fawlty Towers in the seaside town of Torquay, starred the likes of John Cleese, Prunella Scales, Connie Booth and Andrew Sachs.
In February 2023 it was announced the series would be returning with John Cleese and his daughter Camilla playing his on-screen daughter.
The Royle Family
Running for three series between 1998 to 2000, and two specials in 2006 to 2012, The Royle Family was sure to make you laugh.
Created by the late Caroline Aherne, the sitcom followed the lives of fictional working-class family The Royles, including Jim Royle, his wife Barbara, their daughter Denise, their son Antony, and Denise's husband David.
Grange Hill
The gripping storylines and relatable characters in Grange Hill had us glued to our screens between 1978 and 2018.
With an incredible 31 series over 30 years, Grange Hill was one of the longest-running shows on British TV!
Only Fools and Horses
Perhaps one of the most iconic TV shows ever to grace our screens! Only Fools and Horses ran for seven series in the end, made up of 64 episodes in total.
Created and written by John Sullivan, the brilliant sitcom aired for 10 years on BBC One between 1981 and 1991 and followed the lives of market trader Derek 'Del Boy' Trotter and his younger brother Rodney.
Stars In Their Eyes
A true classic! Stars In Their Eyes, originally hosted by Leslie Crowther, first aired in 1990 with Matthew Kelly taking over in 1993. The show did make a return with Harry Hill in 2015, but it didn't quite take off!
Absolutely Fabulous
Absolutely Fabulous, or Ab Fab as it's more commonly known, was created off the back of the French and Saunders sketch and first aired back in 1992.
Featuring Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley and Julia Sawalha, the sitcom aired for five series, with 39 episodes.
More recently in 2019, a movie called Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie landed in cinemas much to the delight of fans.
The Bill
First broadcast in 1983, police drama The Bill certainly proved popular, airing until 2010. The show focused on the lives and work of police officers and starred well-known actors such as Trudie Goodwin, Graham Cole and Mark Wingett.
Blackadder
Starring the legendary Rowan Atkinson as Edmund Blackadder and Tony Robinson as Blackadder's dogsbody, the popular period sitcom one split into four series, airing on BBC One between 1983 and 1989.
The series were called: The Black Adder, Blackadder II, Blackadder the Third, and Blackadder Goes Forth, as well as a number of specials.
Father Ted
We were gifted with three series of Father Ted between 1995 and 1998, which was written by Irish writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews.
Featuring Dermot Morgan as Father Ted Crilly, the sitcom showed the priests living together in a parochial house with their housekeeper Mrs Doyle.
With just 25 episodes in total, we'd love some more!
Porridge
Starring Ronnie Barker and Richard Beckinsale, Porridge is certainly another iconic sitcom which graced our screens between 1974 and 1977.
With three series and two Christmas specials, Porridge followed the lives of two prison inmates, Norman Fletcher and Lennie Godber, who were serving at the fictional HMP Slade.
Where The Heart Is
British drama Where The Heart Is, which was filmed in the Yorkshire town of Skelthwaite, proved very popular with viewers between 1997-2006, showcasing the lives of a group of district nurses and their families.
The Young Ones
The Young Ones, which aired for two series between 1982 and 1984, kickstarted the careers of the likes of Adrian Edmondson, Mayall, Nigel Planer, Christopher Ryan, and Alexei Sayle.
Including surreal jokes, visual humour and slapstick gags, The Young Ones followed the lives of four students and their landlord's family.
'Allo 'Allo!
After being commissioned following a successful pilot episode, 'Allo 'Allo! ran for nine series between 1984 and 1992, airing on BBC One.
The show, which went on to run for nine series with 85 episodes, followed a café owner in Nouvion, during the German occupation of France in the Second World War.
Hi-de-Hi!
Written by Dad's Army writers Jimmy Perry and David Croft, Hi-de-Hi! was set in a fictional holiday camp called Maplins and aired between 1980 and 1988 for nine series.
The popular BBC sitcom revolved around Maplins' entertainers.
It's a Knockout
It was stupid, it was crazy, but it was certainly fun! It's a Knockout started way back in 1966, but the show made a number of returns on BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5!
Bottom
Airing on BBC Two for three series between 1991 and 1995, Bottom starred creators Adrian Edmondson and Rik Mayall as Edward Elizabeth 'Eddie' Hitler and Richard 'Richie Richard.
The show followed the two flatmates in Hammersmith, West London, with no jobs and little money.
Steptoe and Son
British sitcom Steptoe and Son had two runs on the BBC, one in black and white between 1962 and 1965, and another in colour between 1970 and 1974.
Are You Being Served?
Are You Being Served? followed the lives of staff in fictional department store Grace Brothers.
The sitcom ran for 10 series on the BBC between 1972 and 1985, as well as a number of Christmas specials!
The Vicar of Dibley
Set in a fictional Oxfordshire village called Dibley, The Vicar of Dibley stars Dawn French in the lead role as The Reverend Geraldine Granger.
The series, which ran between 1994-2020 (with a number of specials), also featured popular actors Gary Waldhorn, Roger Lloyd-Pack, Trevor Peacock and Emma Chambers.
Rising Damp
Produced for ITV, Rising Damp aired for four series between 1974 and 1978.
Due to the popularity of the TV show, Rising Damp was turned into a feature film in 1980.
London's Burning
Airing between 1988 and 2002, London's Burning documented the lives of a fictional London Fire Brigade Blue Watch at the fictional Blackwall fire station.
We are sure going to miss the drama on Ramsay Street.
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