Fans of Neighbours were overjoyed over the weekend when it was announced that 24 fan favourites would be returning to the show.
Following Channel 5’s decision to pull the show from their schedules, producer company Fremantle has confessed that it has been unable to find another broadcast partner in the UK.
Filming for the final month-long on-air celebration has already begun, with the final episode due to air on August 1.
Despite our regret at the show’s premature conclusion, there are plenty of reasons to be pleased, as over 20 famous faces from previous seasons are expected to return.
From Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue’s Scott and Charlene Robinson to Ian Smith’s Harold Bishop and Mark Little’s Joe Mangle, as well as Pippa Black and Jordan Patrick Smith’s Elle and Andrew Robinson, Neighbours’ finale is building up to be nothing short of memorable.
While we’re thrilled to see all of the returning cast members, there are a few more Ramsay Street stalwarts we’d want to see return for the final episode.
Libby Kennedy
There are few people who can rival with Libby Kennedy when it comes to Neighbours royalty (Kym Valentine).
Libby was the daughter of renowned pair Karl (Alan Fletcher) and Susan (Jackie Woodburne) and was at the centre of several storylines over her multiple stints on the programme, including a motorcycle accident and the death of her husband Drew – which, by the way, we’re still not over!
There was also a time when In 2008, Libby was recast for a few weeks after star Kym had to take time off due to illness. Michala Banas of MacLeod’s Daughters has taken over the position.
It wouldn’t feel right if Neighbours ended without Libby, so we want to see her back in Ramsay Street, reunited with her parents, one more time.
Make it a reality!
Donna Freedman
Donna Freedman (Margot Robbie) has come a long way in her three years on Neighbours, having started off as an adoring fan of stalwart Ty Harper (Dean Geyer)
She quickly rose to popularity as a fan favourite, forming a connection with Ringo Brown (Sam Clark) and befriending the show’s teenagers, including Rachel Kinski (Caitlin Stasey) and Bridget Parker (Elouise Mignon).
Donna, like Libby, has a long history on Neighbours, therefore she’s another character we’d want to see return for the finale.
Margot Robbie has gone on to have a successful career in Hollywood since leaving, appearing in films such as The Suicide Squad, The Wolf of Wall Street, and I, Tonya.
However, with Kylie Minogue making a Neighbours comeback, we’re hoping Margot will make a surprise cameo in Ramsay Street as well.
Lou Carpenter
We’ll be really honest: we can’t picture a final episode without Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver).
The used car salesman, easily one of Neighbours’ most recognisable characters, captured viewers’ hearts with his infectious chuckle and his habit to always look on the bright side, no matter how awful the circumstances were.
Lou is best known for his friendship with Harold, and the two became one of the most famous soap double acts.
With Harold confirmed to return for the final episode of Neighbours, we’d love to see Lou join him for a good old chinwag, putting the world right one last time.
Beth Brennan
Beth Brennan only lived on Ramsay Street for two years, but it’s safe to say she made an effect on viewers, as did star Natalie Imbruglia, who went on to have a successful career after leaving the programme.
We’ve been hoping Natalie would return for the final episode of the drama, mainly so Beth may finally have a scene with on-screen son Ned Willis (Ben Hall), who will return in time for the finale despite departing this week.
Dee Bliss
Given how iconic Dee Bliss (Madeleine West) became, it’s probable that the Dee Bliss (Madeleine West) narrative may be resurrected during Neighbours’ final month on broadcast.
Dee vanished on her wedding day in 2003, when she and husband Toadie wound themselves in the sea, as fans will recall. The character was thought to be dead, but she reappeared in 2016, as part of a narrative that revealed she had been alive all along.
After leaving viewers with unanswered concerns for nearly two decades, the story was expertly wrapped up, but it’s safe to say that fans would appreciate another cameo from actress Madeleine before the titles roll on the last episode.
Lyn Scully
Throughout her multiple appearances on Neighbours, Lyn Scully (Janet Andrewartha) cemented her place as one of the show’s most recognisable characters.
The matriarch was nothing short of iconic, from brawling with Rebecca (Jane Hall) on the street in 2009 to giving daily advice to daughter Steph (Carla Bonner), and given that she was something of a comeback queen, it’d be a shame if she didn’t make one more appearance before Neighbours wrapped for good.
Rachel Kinski
It’s difficult not to think about Rachel Kinski (Caitlin Stasey) and the words of Unforgettable, a song she performed with Ty at the 2008 school formal.
We’re not going to lie, we still know all the words.
Unforgettable, on the other hand, is an excellent term to define Rachel’s tenure on the programme, considering that she was involved in multiple major plotlines, including the loss of her father, dating Ringo and Ty, and ultimately finding her voice.
Given her prominence in the late 1990s and her importance to the Kennedy family, it would be appropriate for her to return to Neighbours’ farewell.
We actually demand it. Along with a repeat of Unforgettable, because, despite its untimely conclusion, what better word to define the Australian soap than that?
Ty Harper
Was there anyone who didn’t like Ty? We simply cannot believe it. Despite the fact that the character was only on the show for a little over a year, he left a lasting impression on fans.
Dean Geyer went on to have recurring appearances in Glee and Terra Nova in the United States, but we’re hoping he’ll return to Melbourne for one final appearance as Ty.
Ty is assumed to be doing quite well in the fictitious world of Neighbours, as he was mentioned during the show’s 35th anniversary festivities in 2020.
Paige Smith (Olympia Valance) noted that her playlist was full of Australian artists, with Ty being one of them.
A wonderful segue for the character to reappearance and serenade us once more with his sweet melodies.
Sky Mangel
Sky Mangel (Stephanie McIntosh) is one of Neighbours’ most recognisable characters, having appeared in several significant storylines over the 2000s, including her romance with Boyd Hoyland and a kiss with Lana Mills.
She surprised fans when she returned in 2020 as part of the show’s 35th anniversary, revealing that she is a police detective entrusted with investigating killer Finn Kelly’s (Rob Mills) murder.
In dramatic scenes, Sky married Lana, and we’re still reeling from how amazing it all was.
We’d like to see the character return to Erinsborough to see how she’s adjusted to married life and how her job is progressing.
Declan Napier
Declan Napier appeared frequently in Neighbours shortly after the serial drama was moved to Channel 5 in the United Kingdom, and he was a big hit with the audience.
During this time, James Sorensen played the part, and he was involved in a number of high-profile storylines, including his romance with Bridget Parker, who died not long after giving birth to their child India.
Declan would eventually fall in love with Kate Ramsay (Ashleigh Brewer). Declan was later recast, with Erin Mulally taking over for a year before departing Ramsay Street.
Could we maybe see Declan return to Erinsborough one last time as Neighbours draws to a close?
Mark Brennan
Mark Brennan (Scott McGregor) is a modern Neighbours legend, having been at the centre of several of the show’s most important stories over the last decade.
Given that he was originally presented as a guest character on a four-week contract, that’s not bad!
The cop was a huge hit with the show’s audience, and we hope he returns before the finale.
Given that wife Paige is returning, as well as the fact that siblings Aaron (Matt Wilson) and Chloe (April Rose Pengilly) are still stalwarts on the soap, it’s entirely feasible.
All of the pieces are in place. You know what to do, neighbours!
