Lily Allen, Little Britain, Russell Brand, Baby Spice: Wildest celebrity guest stars on Ramsay St
From acclaimed artists, dancefloor darlings, international comedians and even a Spice Girl, ‘Neighbours’ has been dazzled by dozens of celebrity cameos in its 40 years. As the iconic soap prepares for its final curtain call, here are the craziest guest appearances to hit Ramsay St.
Iconic soap Neighbours has featured some bizarre, surprising and downright odd guest appearances from international stars over the past 40 years, who made their way to the sleepy Melbourne suburb of Nunawading to appear on the beloved show.
From a Spice Girl to a US soap star, a classical music giant to a dancefloor darling and more than a few comedians, the Neighbours set in Melbourne’s quiet eastern suburbs has long been catnip for visiting stars who were fans of the show and keen for a cameo.
And plenty of Aussie celebrities also popped up in surprise guest moments on the long-running drama, which will come to an end on December 11.
A double episode will air on Channel 10 on Thursday, December 11 closing a remarkable 40 year innings for Neighbours.
Looking back over four decades of wild storylines and thousands of episodes some international guest appearances leap out.
Emma Bunton
Spice Girl Emma Bunton (aka Baby Spice) had her Neighbours moment in 2007. Bunton played herself in scenes in London with the characters of Dr Karl and Susan Kennedy. Bunton retrieved an engagement ring that Dr Karl, played by Alan Fletcher, had dropped after proposing to Susan (Jackie Woodburne).
Andre Rieu
Violinist and classical music superstar Andre Rieu made a very odd guest appearance on Neighbours in 2009. He played himself and was presented as a mate of Paul Robinson, played by Stefan Dennis. Rieu and Robinson pulled up in Ramsay Street in a limo and Rieu then serenaded Robinson and Rebecca Napier, played by Jane Hall, as they waltzed in the street.
Paula Abdul
US singer, dancer, reality TV judge and choreographer Paula Abdul made a cameo on the Melbourne-based soap in 2014 appearing in a storyline where she was Dr Karl’s (Alan Fletcher) fantasy crush. In the episode, Abdul was staying at Lassiters Hotel preparing to judge auditions for her latest TV show and Dr Karl decided to try and meet her to get an album signed.
Russell Brand
In 2020 controversial British comedian Russell Brand popped up on the show playing himself attending a writers’ festival.
Lily Allen
Singer Lily Allen is back at the forefront of popular culture following the recent release of her break-up album West End Girl. In 2009 Allen was already riding high with her music career and made a guest appearance on Neighbours while in Australia touring her second album, It’s Not You, It’s Me.
David Walliams and Matt Lucas
David Walliams and Matt Lucas dusted off their Little Britain characters, Lou and Andy, to film a Neighbours appearance while they were on tour in Australia in 2007.
Sophie Ellis-Bextor
Murder on the Dancefloor chart-topper Sophie Ellis-Bextor added a Neighbours cameo to her resume in 2022. Ellis-Bextor filmed scenes in London with Harlow Robinson, played by Jemma Donovan.
Mischa Barton
The OC star Mischa Barton joined Neighbours for an extended guest role in 2023 to help kick off the show’s Amazon backed reboot. It was the moment that Neighbours entered the streaming era. Barton played the character Reece Sinclair.
Hanson
US pop group Hanson paid a visit to Ramsay Street in 2019 with the brothers, Isaac, Taylor and Zac Hanson, booked for the Erinsborough Music Festival.
Chris Lowe
Chris Lowe, one half of the great UK group The Pet Shop Boys, popped up on Ramsay Street in 1995. Lowe’s cameo saw him ask Helen Daniels, played by Anne Haddy, for directions to a recording studio.
Amanda Holden
Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden guest starred on Neighbours in 2022 when the show filmed in London. She played Harriet Wallace, the aunt of Harlow Robinson, played by Jemma Donovan.
Jake Shears
Scissor Sisters singer Jake Shears made a cameo on Neighbours in an episode that aired in February 2020.
Jess Glynne
English hit maker Jess Glynne made a guest appearance in 2019, singing in Lassiters and then chatting with the character Bea, played by Bonnie Anderson, at the bar.
Katherine Kelly Lang
The Bold and The Beautiful star Katherine Kelly Lang played herself on an episode of Neighbours in 2016. The US soap queen popped up in a storyline that saw her visiting Erinsborough as an ambassador for a charity.
Clive James
Writer and raconteur Clive James filmed a role as a postman on Neighbours in 1996.
Chrishell Stause
US reality TV star Chrishell Stause, who is married to Aussie singer/musician G Flip, joined Neighbours as a guest star in 2024 playing ambitious businesswoman Yasmine ‘Yas’ Shields.
Julian Clary
Comedian Julian Clary joined the list of international stars to make a Neighbours cameo when the show filmed in London in 2007. He was in a scene walking along and talking on a phone when Izzy (Natalie Bassingthwaighte) ran up to him.
Dave Bautista
WWE wrestler Dave Bautista appeared on Neighbours in 2009, playing himself in a scene with Toadie (played by Ryan Moloney) and Callum (played by Morgan Baker). Toadie and Callum were wrestling fans who stopped Bautista in Erinsborough after recognising him.
Many Aussie celebrities played themselves on Neighbours.
In 1986 Molly Meldrum made a cameo when Mike Young (Guy Pearce) and Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan) had a meeting with him to pitch their song I Believe.
Other local cameo appearances included Bert Newton, Shane Warne, Brendan Fevola, Christian O’Connell, Ross Wilson and Warwick Capper.
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