Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan share first images of ‘Neighbours’ return
"Now we’re back together"
By Tom Skinner
Kylie Minogue has shared some behind-the-scenes images of her and Jason Donovan’s upcoming return to Neighbours.
The pop star played mechanic Charlene Robinson in the Australian soap between 1986 and 1988 alongside Donovan, who portrayed her partner Scott Robinson.
Back in May, it was announced that the pair would make a special appearance in the final episode of Neighbours following the news that the show had been cancelled after 37 years. Production then wrapped last month.
Taking to Twitter this morning (July 11), Minogue posted a pair of photos of Charlene and Scott on Ramsey Street. “Now we’re back together,” she captioned the tweet, in a nod to her and Donovan’s 1988 single ‘Especially for You’.
Donovan also shared the same images on his Twitter feed along with the front of a Neighbours script that reads: “Scott and Charlene scenes.”
He wrote: “So good to be back with this absolute legend @kylieminogue Scott and Charlene final scenes @neighbours 2022.”
Scott and Charlene’s wedding episode attracted an audience of nearly 20 million when it aired in the UK in 1988, making it one of the most-watched TV moments of that decade.
Jason Herbison, executive producer of Neighbours, previously said of Minogue and Donovan’s return: “Scott and Charlene are the ultimate Neighbours couple and it would not feel right to end the show without them.
“We are thrilled that Jason and Kylie have come home to play a very special part in our series finale. It has been an emotional experience for them, for us and I’m sure it will be for our viewers.”
Following the news that the soap was being axed, Minogue wrote on social media: “I’ll be forever grateful for the experience & the friends I made on ‘Neighbours’.
“We had no idea how big the show would become and how passionately viewers would take it to heart. Pure love! I can still hear Madge calling … CHARLENE!!!!”
Neighbours was cancelled in March when Channel 5 announced it would cease to air the series beyond this summer; they had provided the bulk of its budget since 2008. It is believed there was a £5million shortfall between the channel’s outlay to production company Fremantle and Neighbours advertising revenue.
The subsequent search for alternative funding proved fruitless, and the show is now due to air its last episode next month.
A statement from bosses 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.”
The message continued: “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’.”
Neighbours was also responsible for launching the careers of Margot Robbie, Natalie Imbruglia and Liam Hemsworth, among others.