Neighbours cast members, past and present, share memories from the long-running show
From the naughtiest cast members to funny interactions with fans, Neighbours stars have shared their standout memories from the long-running show.
Confidential
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As Neighbours draws to a close, a raft of untold stories and memories spanning 37 years, almost 9000 episodes and 180,000 scenes, remains.
Here are some from past and present cast members.
Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Izzy Hoyland)
Can you remember your first day on set?
“I don’t remember the scene, but I do recall Stephanie McIntosh and I went on to the back set, and put on helmets and rode bicycles in the background of a scene.
Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy)
Are there any funny memories with Jackie (Woodburne) that you’ve had over the years that stick in your mind?
“Well, there’ve been some very, very funny moments. For instance, we both love a little bit of a fart joke, if I’m going to be honest with you. So, if someone accidentally farts on set, it’s the funniest thing in the world to us. There was a particular moment, it’s quite disgusting, where I was standing outside the door of the Kennedy house holding a pig, which wasn’t uncommon. And there were about three of us out there. As soon as the director said action, the pig relieved itself. And I can tell you, it was beyond disgusting!
“Every actor ran in every different direction, except for me, who had to stand stock-still with this poor, poor animal in my arms. We continue to just cry with laughter at that, even now. But probably the best one is when Susan slapped Karl, which was seemingly very hard. When the director said cut, moving on, all the crew came and lined up behind Jackie to take their turn to slap me! I’ve got a gorgeous photograph of it. And in that photograph, there’s a lot of camera people, in particular who have, unfortunately, left us now. So, it’s a beautiful shot. That’s a great memory for me.”
Annie Jones (Jane Harris)
Who would you say was the naughtiest on set?
Probably Stefan, who’s on the show playing Paul Robinson. Yeah, he was always very cheeky. He still is. He’s wonderful. He just did funny little silly dances or sing a little song. He’s just a lovely person. He’s always got a lovely smile on his face and cheering everyone up.
Ian Smith (Harold Bishop)
Can you remember how you felt on your first day at Neighbours?
“That is spooky, I remember knocking on the front door in Ramsay Street and Kylie (Minogue) answered. I think she was dressed as a clown or something like that. They were all in there having a dress-up party of some sort. But look, do you know what? I just knew somehow that this was important. I had no idea why. I just knew this show was going to change my life, and it did. So yes, I remember it crystal, crystal clear.”
Do you have a memory of being behind the scenes that sticks in your mind?
“What I do remember about being behind the scenes is working with the young actors who came into the show, and you could always tell the ones who just wanted to get into magazines and those who actually wanted to do the job seriously. You’d be on the studio floor, doing your scene and in the darkness, you could just see this, sometimes a half-lit face. And it would be some of the youngsters having a look to see how it’s done or how other people do it. And you knew that they were going to make it, you just knew. Or they were serious about what they were doing. But the others, they were just interested in getting their photos in a magazine. And I tell you what, they didn’t last, they just didn’t last. Isn’t it funny? They were usually the very attractive people, very beautiful or very handsome people. And yes, their beauty would carry them for so many years. But when it dropped them, it dropped them very hard and very cruelly, really. That was the thing about Neighbours, for those who were dedicated to the craft, it was the perfect school ground, that’s why it’s created so many stars. Just look at what Kylie and Jason have done; they are testament to that.”
Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy)
When you look back now at your time at Neighbours, is there a favourite memory you’ve got from behind the scenes that you’ll always hold dear?
“So many moments. Little moments with fans that have come to the studio, or they’ve come out to Ramsay Street. You’ve just met them and had a bit of a chat. Those moments of seeing their delight in meeting you, or they’re delight in being able to see how the show works. There are moments that remind you because we work so quickly. We’re just going for it all the time. We’re just full steam ahead. Then you have those little moments. Those little touchstones with actual people and you realise, ‘wow, we’re doing this for a reason. This is making somebody happy in some lounge room, somewhere. For half an hour a day, we’re making someone feel happy’. Those little moments. As you can imagine, 28 years, there are so many times. It fills me up just thinking about the last 28 years.”
Rebekah Elmaloglou (Terese Willis)
What sort of reaction have you had from fans over the years?
“Oh, they’re gorgeous. I met one woman at the dog park and their dog stole my dog’s ball. She’s like, ‘I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry’. I could feel her anxiety growing. She’s like, ‘I’m so sorry, he does this all the time. He’s got the ball from you, I’m so sorry’. She finally got the ball off of her dog and she handed it over to me and just as she walked away, she said, ‘I have to tell you, my kids will be so thrilled that I saw you at the park, because we all are addicted to the show’.”
Have you encountered anybody famous who has said they’re a fan of the show?
“Oh, yeah, it’s really interesting, isn’t it, when you meet people who you admire and respect in the industry and then they turn around and go, ‘Oh my God, I’m the biggest fan of yours’. I forget that I’ve been doing it for 40 years. It’s just, I guess, sort of being acknowledged in an industry that I’m a part of.”
Ryan Moloney (Toadie Rebecchi)
Have you been recognised in any weird places?
“Oh, there’s the odd toilet recognition, which is always an interesting one. But you know what? There was a time in London where I went for a walk, I had a jacket on, a scarf, I had a beanie on, literally all you could see was my eyes and somebody spotted me and was like, ‘You’re Toadie from Neighbours’. I was like, ‘What the hell? How do you even know?’ I must have really, beady, little eyes.”
Is there a memory from backstage that sticks in your mind?
“I mean, there’s just so many. I suppose there’s just going to be periods where memories jump back in your head. I think it’s just probably the fun that we have. Just always joking around, laughing, pulling pranks on each other, and just trying to make each other laugh I think is probably what I’ll remember the most.”
Kym Valentine (Libby Kennedy)
What are your memories of playing Libby Kennedy and returning for the finale?
“I spent more time as Libby than I did as Kym. It’s such a mixed bag of emotions, it’s so incredibly sad to be losing the show. But wonderful to see everyone at the same time. At the wrap party there was this feeling that all of our grief had been exhausted and we were just having a celebration — 37 years is just remarkable, to be involved for 20 years of that is an honour.
“Neighbours raised me, it is my home and my family. I came here at 17 on my own, so Neighbours is my family.
“The last day of filming was an emotional day, that was intense, and there was a real energy in the air. There was a real sense of loss and for me, it’s almost like my childhood home. Knowing it was there has always been a sense of comfort.”