Neighbours fans in the UK spent much of their Friday eagerly awaiting, albeit with a tinge of sadness, the last ever episode of the Australian soap. Emotional reunions, a joyful wedding and a nostalgic tribute to past and present stars completed the programme's 37 year run last night (July 29).
The show first aired in 1985 and followed the cul-de-sac community of Ramsay Street within the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough. But back in March, the end of the soap was officially confirmed after Channel 5 announced in February it would stop airing the show. Bosses issued a message to the soap's fans in which they apologised to Neighbours' loyal following and explained the reason behind its cancellation.
In the opening of the finale, it becomes clear Ramsay Street as the community once knew it is coming to an end as Susan Kennedy, played by Jackie Woodburne, looks at all the houses up for sale around her home.
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The double-episode special also featured star-studded cameos from Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie and singer Natalie Imbruglia. Another fan-favourite character to return to their old hunting ground is Mike Young, played by Guy Pearce, who shows his daughter Sam (Henrietta Graham) around the area.
The wedding of Melanie Pearson (Lucinda Cowden) and Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) also provides moments of reunion and love as it sees the happy couple tie the knot, and brings Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou) and Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) back together, as well as girlfriends Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly) and Elly Conway (Jodi Anasta).
As the residents of Ramsay Street are at the wedding, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, who starred as couple Scott Robinson and Charlene Mitchell in the 1980s, make their long-awaited return to the cul-de-sac in a green mini with a Queensland number plate. After Toadie and Melanie’s wedding, the Kennedys surprise the happy couple with a video message from their friends throughout the years who could not make the big day.
Towards the end of the episode, as the Ramsay Street characters from past and present come together for one final time during the street party wedding reception, Susan makes a poignant speech. The end credits then showed a montage of photos from characters through the eras before a message appeared on the screen saying: “Thank you for loving us, we love you.”
And it's fair to say fans were in bits. @MattSpracklen tweeted: "The #NeighboursFinale was absolutely amazing. I was in bits. That last monologue. What a way to go out. #Neighbours." @filletdabitchx said: "The tears are real! Goodbye old friend, thanks for the memories! I will miss you #NeighboursFinale."
But some were left irritated by Channel 5 thanks to a 'insensitive' move during the airing of the finale. @Mummie_T tweeted: "#NeighboursFinale Channel 5, there's no point putting endless Home and Away ads inbetween these sad last moments of Neighbours!? It's Neighbours we wanted."
@CSRizzoli23 commented: "How dare they show a home and away advert during the #NeighboursFinale." @bookl0ver fumed: "I see how advertising Home and Away so consistently after the #neighboursfinale stuff, by the channel that let Neighbours die, can be seen as disrespectful. It's like "yeah we took this show away but look at our alternative! (Which is almost completely tonally different)." @GigglingNatalie shared: "Thought it was a bit mean advertising #HomeandAway during the #NeighboursFinale."
@HanSparkle86 shared: "The absolute savage of @channel5_tv showing an advert for @homeandaway during the #NeighboursFinale." @Susanne30308556 wrote: "Bit insensitive of 5 to advertise Home and Away ! #Neighbours." @JennyPennySays added: "Home And Away trailer in #NeighboursFinale ad break. Heartless."
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