GOOD NEIGHBOURS
Neighbours stars who got their unlikely big breaks from the soap – from Gladiator actor to Strictly heartthrob
NOT only did the Neighbours cast “become good friends” as the theme song suggests, but many of them also managed to launch lucrative careers in the entertainment industry.
From Hollywood A-Listers to pop music sensations, a number of its young starlets went on to become household names - most notably, of course, on-screen sweethearts Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.
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Despite the show, which was first broadcast on the BBC1 in 1986, serving as a launchpad for emerging talent, it's now being axed for good, with no channel taking it on since Channel 5 dropped it.
The final episode will air tonight at 9pm and feature famous faces like Kylie and Margot Robbie returning for a star-studded farewell.
Here we look back at the actors who went on to become big stars after their stints on Ramsay Street.
Russell Crowe
The Gladiator actor, 57, joined the popular soap for four episodes in 1987 when he played released convict Kenny Larkin, who was hellbent on revenge against his former cellmate.
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Russell admitted he was hesitant about signing up for the show because he thought the storyline was “awful” and he nearly turned it down.
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However, that all changed after reading one scene where Kenny punched rival Henry Ramsay before Scott tried to break it up and Charlene clung onto his back and strangled him.
Prior to appearing on Neighbours, Russell had three bit-parts in TV series including two where he was uncredited according to IMBD.
After leaving the show he bagged a string of career-defining roles, starring in in L.A. Confidential, Gladiator and A Beautiful Mind.
Margot Robbie
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Now she’s known for her portrayals in Hollywood blockbusters Suicide Squad, The Wolf Of Wall Street and I, Tonya – but back in 2008, Margot Robbie was relatively unknown.
She played Donna Brown in Neighbours for three years until 2011 and, shortly after, landed her first American gig in the flight drama Pan Am.
The actress, 31, has gone on to take the US by storm, earning three BAFTA nominations for roles playing Queen Elizabeth I, murder victim Sharon Tate and a Fox News employee.
Dave Bautista
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Guardians Of The Galaxy actor Dave Bautista, 53, is also among members of the Neighbours alumni who have made it big across the pond.
After years performing as a WWE wrestler, using his last name, he transitioned to acting thanks to a cameo on the Aussie soap.
During his appearance in 2009, he interacted with real-life wrestling fans Toadie and Callum.
The part arguably helped him to land big parts in the James Bond flick Spectre, Blade Runner 2049 and the Marvel franchise including the Avengers films.
Natalie Imbruglia
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Before embarking on a musical career that earned her 10 million album sales, Natalie, 47, played sex abuse survivor Beth Brennan on Neighbours for two years until 1994.
She had a few acting gigs after leaving Erinsborough but mainly found success as a singer after covering the 1994 Danish hit Torn in 1998.
The song topped the charts and became the biggest track from the seven albums she’s released so far.
Liam Hemsworth
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The hunky Hemsworth brothers are no stranger to the Aussie soap either, with Luke launching his career on the show as Nathan Tyson in 2001 - and shortly after his sibling did the same.
In 2007, Liam, 32, took on the part of Josh Taylor - an athletic paraplegic who found love with Bridget Parker after she became paralysed on one side of her body following a car crash.
Since then he’s gone on to star in TV shows, most notably the sci-fi fantasy flick Westworld, and imitating his brother Chris as ‘Thor Actor’ in Marvel films.
Holly Valance
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Holly Valance, 38, is probably best known for her catchy Noughties tune Kiss Kiss, but before her musical fame, she was also on Neighbours.
She was 16 when she joined the cast as Felicity ‘Flick’ Scully in 1999 and had a permanent role on the show until 2002.
Three years later Holly returned to Ramsay Street to reprise her part for one episode but then turned her focus to music, where she had three number one songs.
She’s flirted with acting multiple times including appearing on the film Taken, the US jail drama Prison Break and as a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in 2011. She's now married to wealthy British businessman and Tory donor Nick Candy.
Guy Pearce
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English-born musician and actor Guy, 54, landed his breakthrough role in Neighbours in 1986 as troubled youngster Mike Young, who was abused by his father.
He spent three years on the show before earning acclaim for his part in L.A. Confidential alongside fellow former Neighbours star Russell Crowe.
Since then Guy has appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Memento, The Hurt Locker, The King’s Speech, Prometheus, Alien Covenant and Iron Man 3.
Delta Goodrem
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Delta, now 37, was 15 years old when she landed her first recording contract but it wasn’t until she took the role of Nina Tucker in Neighbours that she was able to hit the big time.
She appeared on the soap from 2002 until 2005 and went on to release tracks including Born To Try, Innocent Eyes and Lost Without You.
She was engaged to Brian McFadden until their relationship ended in 2011 and a month later started dating Nick Jonas. She’s been settled with musician Matthew Copley since 2017.
Jesse Spencer
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Jesse, 42, had a few parts before playing Bill Kennedy in Neighbours but prior to his 11 year stint on the Aussie soap, his career never seemed to take off.
He appeared in one episode of the TV series Hercules as Triton Jr, the film Uptown Girls as Neal and even voiced Flynt in a video for Action Man toys, but never became a big star.
Neighbours helped him to land the part of Dr. Robert Chase in Hugh Laurie’s medical drama House, which he starred in from 2004 until 2012.
Since then, his main role has been Matthew Casey in an emergency services drama series - named Chicago P.D, Chicago Med and Chicago Fire - from 2014 until last year.
Adelaide Kane
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While many of the Neighbours cast were scouted by the soap’s talented production team, Adelaide got her part in a slightly different way.
She won a magazine competition to be on the show and from there she played Lolly Allen for 45 episodes in 2007.
After leaving the show, she appeared in the 2014 horror hit The Purge as Ethan Hawke’s daughter and has also had several recurring TV roles.
Adelaide, 31, appeared in Teen Wolf, Power Rangers, Reign and in fairytale drama Once Upon A Time, where she played Cinderella’s step-sister
Alan Dale
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Alan, 74, was part of the original Neighbours cast, where he played patriarch Jim Robinson from 1985 until 1993.
However, after he left the show the actor struggled to find work in Australia because he was constantly typecast based on his soap character.
Thankfully, Alan moved to America where he found more luck on big TV shows including 24, The O.C., Lost and Ugly Betty.
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‘I was bullied for Neighbours role in Australia - but in Britain I was a celebrity!’
Rebecca Ritters played Hannah Martin in Neighbours from 1992 until 1997. Now she’s a journalist and TV presenter living in Berlin. She recalled her memories of the iconic Aussie soap in an interview with The Sun.
I was eight years old when I joined the Neighbours cast, playing Hannah Martin.
I was recommended by a teacher and never had any acting lessons before. I had only been on one play at school.
It was definitely a case of pure luck and being in the right place at the right time for me.
I spent seven years on the show until 1999 and it changed the course of my life. I have a lot to thank Neighbours for but it was also difficult.
At school, it was hard being famous because I was teased and laughed at by the other kids.
However, when I came to London I was treated like a celebrity, it was a completely different world.
It’s a sad day knowing that Neighbours may no longer be on UK screens because that is where I believe it’s truly at home.
It’s hard to explain why it seems to resonate so much with Brits, maybe it’s the escapism of the show or that Neighbours is so different to UK life. Maybe they like it because it’s so cheesy.
I must admit I wasn’t surprised when I heard the news about Neighbours, in some ways I’m surprised it’s survived for so long in such a modern world and it's amazing that it’s still so popular.
I had a great time while I was on the show, my happiest memories are with the wonderful cast and crew.
I especially loved the late-night shoots, dangerous stunts or when someone died or a house burned down - and trust me, that happened quite a lot in Ramsay Street.
After Neighbours I completely left the world of acting and am now a TV presenter and journalist.
I think the show helped me to be confident in front of the camera and also taught me how to tell stories in an interesting way.
Neighbours was a launchpad and training ground for many talented young Australian actors including Margot Robbie.
After so many years on TV, it would be very sad to see Neighbours go.
Bella Heathcote
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Bella, now 34, played Amanda Fowler for 10 episodes of the soap in 2009 and since then has been rather busy in Hollywood.
She appeared in the film Dark Shadows alongside Johnny Depp, Pride And Prejudice And Zombies, and the 2017 saucy flick Fifty Shades Darker.
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