Guy Pearce is back as Mike Young as Neighbours brings back its original cast during final week of filming – and Harold Bishop, Melanie and Des are all back, too!
- Neighbours, which first began airing back in 1985, announced that production would be ceasing on the long-running soap in a tweet back in March
- ‘We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June,’ the show wrote
- Fremantle, the production company behind the soap, said it had been unable to come up with ‘alternative funding’ for the series
- They said: ‘It is with sadness that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast, we are confirming that Neighbours will cease production in June’
- Channel 5 confirmed the end of its deal with Neighbours in February, with a spokesperson saying the decision to axe the soap comes as the channel’s ‘current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama’
Guy Pearce, Ian Smith, Lucinda Cowden and Paul Keane led the original stars of Neighbours returning to the iconic soap for the final week of filming in Melbourne on Monday.
It’s the end of an era for the landmark Australian soap which is coming to an end after 38 years on the air, with the last episodes airing in August.
Guy, who played Mike Young between 1986 and 1989, was spotted on set as the TV series began to film its final scenes.
They’re back! Guy Pearce (Mike Young), Ian Smith, (Harold Bishop) Lucinda Cowden (Melanie Pearson), all led the original stars of Neighbours returning to the iconic soap for the final week of filming in Melbourne on Monday
After his stint on Neighbours as bad boy Mike Young (left) Guy Pearce has forced a successful career in Hollywood, starring in films such as Memento and The Hurt Locker
In photos from the show’s Melbourne set, the Memento star could be seen slipping into a Triumph motorcycle jacket while standing next to his character’s motorbike.
Lucinda Cowden, who played Melanie Pearson from 1987 to 1991, looked in good spirits as she arrived for filming
The actress cut a glamorous figure for the day as she donned a bright red dress with a floral detail and daring leg split.
Wrapping up in a black blazer, the soap star added height to her frame with a matching pair of boots.
Original: Paul Keane (right) , who plays Des Clarke, was one of Neighbours 12 original characters and has been back on the soap as a regular since 2020
Legend: Paul appeared as Des in the very first episode of Neighbours which saw several characters attend his Stag Do
Neighbours announced that production would be ceasing on the long-running soap in a tweet back in March.
‘We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June,’ the show wrote.
‘Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK [Channel 5] 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.’
Iconic: Guy, who played Mike Young between 1986 and 1989, was spotted on set as the TV series filmed its final scenes this week
Suave: Guy looked effortlessly cool as he sported a black leather jacket and matching skinny jeans while preparing to film a scene on a motorbike
Reunion: Guy appeared in good spirits as he chatted with Annie and other members of the crew between takes
End of an era: Stefan Dennis (left), who played Paul Robinson, and Geoff Paine (right), who starred as Clive Gibbons, both looked thrilled to be back on set
Style: Lucinda cut a glamorous figure for the day as she donned a bright red dress with a floral detail
Show: Lucinda portrayed Melanie from 1987 to 1991 and made a cameo appearance for the 20th anniversary in 2005
Network 10 addressed the end of the series in a statement to Australian media in March, admitting it had been a ‘difficult decision’.
‘Today, Fremantle confirmed that Neighbours will cease production in June, after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes,’ a network spokesperson announced.
‘This difficult decision came after the search for an alternative UK broadcast partner proved unsuccessful.’
They added that the series would ‘not air on 10 Peach beyond September 2022’, marking the end of its decades-long run.
Final days: Annie, Guy, Stefan and Paul were all brought back for the soap’s final days of filming alongside Annie Jones right) who starred as ‘Plane Jane’ Harris
Role: British-born Guy had a four-year stint as Mike in Neighbours before hitting the big time
Production: Neighbours announced that production would be ceasing on the long-running soap in a tweet back in March
Mainstay: Stefan Dennis portrayed cold-hearted businessman Paul Robinson, appearing in the show’s first episode back in 1985
‘A much-loved stalwart of our program schedule for over 35 years it has been a staple of Australian television drama, and Australian cultural exports,’ they added.
‘Ramsay Street, Erinsborough, is a cul-de-sac recognised all over the world and has been home to Scott and Charlene, Des and Daphne, Dr Karl and Susan, Dee and Toadie, Aaron and David and many, many more neighbours.
‘Network 10 thanks the cast, crew, all the production team and Fremantle for bringing the perfect blend of soap and sunshine to audiences in Australia and around the world.’
Channel 10 also praised ‘the Australian fans and audiences for their continued support of the series’.
‘Their encouragement particularly in the past few weeks has been incredible. It shows that our audience still want Australian scripted drama,’ continued the statement.
Snap: Lucinda was seen taking a photo of Geoff as he held up the iconic Ramsay St road sign
Decision: Fremantle, the production company behind the soap, said it had been unable to come up with ‘alternative funding’ for the series which contributed to its ending
They said: ‘It is with sadness that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast, we are confirming that Neighbours will cease production in June’
Character: Ian made his Neighbours debut as Harold back in 1987 and stayed on the show until 1991 before returning in 1996
‘We have listened to them and there are exciting new local projects in the pipeline, which is great for our audience and for the local industry.
‘We are confident that the cast, crew and writers will bring their distinctive warmth, style and humour to the Neighbours set as they embark on filming the final episodes over the coming months.’
Fremantle, the production company behind the soap, said it had been unable to come up with ‘alternative funding’ for the series.
‘It is with sadness that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast, we are confirming that Neighbours will cease production in June,’ Fremantle said.
‘Following the loss of a key broadcast partner in the UK, and despite a search for alternative funding, we currently have no option but to rest the show.
Looking good: Lucinda sported a pair of eye-catching gold earrings while she wrapped up in a black coat
End of the road: Channel 5 confirmed the end of its 14-year deal with Neighbours in February
Star: Annie Jones portrayed ‘Plane Jane’ Harris on Neighbours from 1986 to 1989 and won the Logie Award for Most Popular Actress
‘Everyone at Neighbours has been overwhelmed by the love and support from the audience since the news came out.
‘The show has brought a sunny slice of Australia into the homes of millions of viewers around the world launching the careers of dozens of household names along the way.
‘But as this chapter of Ramsay Street comes to a close, we promise to do everything we can to give the show the send-off it deserves.’
Channel 5 confirmed the end of its 14-year deal with Neighbours in February, with a spokesperson telling MailOnline that the decision to axe the soap comes as the channel’s ‘current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama’.
‘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,’ they said.
Last act: Last month, Neighbours released its final cast photo, depicting the show’s beloved characters enjoying a picnic in a park
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