Kylie Minogue reveals why she passed on reviving her role as Neighbours character Charlene

KYLIE Minogue has revealed why she passed on reviving her role as Charlene for the Neighbours’ 30th anniversary.

KYLIE Minogue has revealed why she passed on reviving her role as Charlene for the Neighbours’ 30th anniversary.

The iconic soap approached Minogue to return to Ramsay Street to update the role of tomboy mechanic Charlene Mitchell that made her famous.

Charlene and husband Scott’s son Daniel was written into the cast of Neighbours last year and Minogue’s return would have been a guaranteed ratings drawcard.

Nice jumper, Kyles ... the Harold Bishop chinwobble originated in 1988.

However while a string of Neighbours graduates have been rewritten into the soap for the occasion Minogue declined the offer to meet her on-screen son.

“I thought about it, but I don’t know that it would do Charlene any favours,” Minogue said.

“She’s so from another time and so much time has passed that it wouldn’t feel very genuine to me. It was something to think about, but in actuality I don’t know if it would have worked.”

Minogue was in Neighbours for two years, first seen on Australian screens in April 1986 and leaving in July 1988.

After marrying Scott Robinson (seen by over 20 million Brits) Charlene’s grandfather Dan bought her a house in Brisbane for her and her new husband.

Minogue’s last scene in Neighbours saw her drive out of Ramsay Street in a green mini.

Her TV popularity launched her musical career, first in Australia in 1987 with the No. 1 hit Locomotion, then in the UK with I Should Be So Lucky topping the charts in 1988.

Iconic role ... Kylie graces the cover of Royal Auto magazine in 1988, for the first and last time.

She met her first major boyfriend, Jason Donovan, on the program, with the pair keeping their relationship hidden, even when their musical careers collided on hit duet Especially For You.

Minogue broke up with Donovan to date INXS frontman Michael Hutchence.

Minogue has shared her Neighbours memories for the documentary The Stars Reunite, which airs on Channel 10 next Monday.

Young and secretly in love ... it’s Jase and Kyles.

The program has unearthed Minogue’s initial audition video.

“There’s a lot of excitement about the anniversary,” Minogue said.

“I took part in the documentary, I did that before one of my shows so I’m semi-stage ready and I’m a bit over the top but I could have just kept talking and talking about Neighbours. There’s so many happy memories.

``I’m looking forward to seeing what everyone else has had to say. Even the ad (on TV) is exciting, you’re reminded at how many people have come through that show. And it’s still going, which is incredible. For a show that had a pretty dodgy start, getting axed from one channel, it’s amazing.”

Since arriving in Erinsborough, the character Daniel has spoken to his mother Charlene on the phone. Charlene’s daughter, Madison has been mentioned but is yet to be seen on screen.