Fan nostalgia trip as Neighbours stars take a bow in final episode

As the camera pulled away from the street party after the last of dozens of Neighbours weddings, an integral part of Australian culture faded out.

Guy Pearce as Mike Young reunites with old friends on Ramsay Street in the Neighbours finale.

Neighbours finished where it began, on that little cul-de-sac at the end of Ramsay Street.

Toadie got married — again — and the event drew back characters from the distant past.

Susan Kennedy gazed lovingly at the extended family: Mike Young and Jane Harris were revelling in rekindled love, Charlene and Scott Robinson felt at home again, and Izzy Hoyland was once again gracing Erinsborough with her presence.

As the camera pulled away from the street party after the wedding, it felt like an integral part of Australian culture had its last word.

“Thank you for loving us, we love you!” The final shot read, as cast members waved to the camera overhead.

Almost 40 years of Australian television history have come to a close after the final episode of soap opera Neighbours aired on Thursday night in a star-studded grand finale.

The long-running TV drama, which in its 37-year run chronicled 68 deaths, 64 weddings and 20 births in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough, launched the international careers of Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue, Liam Hemsworth and Guy Pearce.

Scenes from the last episode of Neighbours on Channel 10.

The nostalgia-packed 90-minutes-long final episode saw a denim-overall clad Minogue and a mullet-free Jason Donovan reprise their roles as Charlene and Scott Robinson more than 30 years since they first wooed global audiences as teenage lovers trapped between two feuding families.

The couple’s wholesome romance captivated viewers across the world with their wedding episode drawing almost 20 million UK viewers in a watershed moment in Australian television screen history.

They were among a few beloved former cast members whose careers skyrocketed from humble beginnings. Actor Guy Pearce reprised his role as Mike Young to rekindle romance with character Jane Harris, played by Annie Jones. Musician Natalie Bassingthwaighte also returned as Izzy Hoyland to take a secondary role in the episode’s winding storylines that seemed to hit all the classic Neighbours beats: family drama, complex love triangles, and intergenerational wisdom.

Thank you for loving us, we love you 💛 #Neighbourspic.twitter.com/dpnoykQpdf

— Neighbours (@neighbours) July 28, 2022

Hollywood star Margot Robbie also made a video message appearance as Donna Freeman whose four-year story arc saw her navigate a hit-and-run, paternity scandal and the death of her husband Ringo, quickly cementing her as a fan favourite.

In a prophetic case of art imitating life, Robbie – of Wolf of Wall Street and Bombshell fame – last graced the screen as Donna in 2011 when her character boarded a plane to the US to try her luck at the big time as a fashion designer.

She was one among many who made cameo appearances in a video message montage of former stars including Delta Goodrem and Natalie Imbruglia.

July, 1987: Singer and actress, Kylie Minogue (centre), with fellow actor, Jason Donovan (L), both from 'Neighbours', with Peter O'Brien, from 'The Flying Doctors'.

The finale on Thursday night was a TV event, with a crowd braving the cold at Melbourne’s Federation Square clad in blankets and beanies to watch the denouement of the Australian cultural touchstone.

The episode was dripping with nostalgia until the final send-off from the main cast members, complete with end-credits accompanied by a blend of theme songs from over the years.

The TV staple of thousands of Australian households first aired in 1985 and followed the lives of those living and working on the suburban cul-de-sac Ramsay Street.

It was axed after Britain’s Channel 5 announced it was dropping the beloved soap from its line-up earlier this year prompting an outpouring of affection for the show.

In the lead-up to the highly anticipated finale stars had taken to social media to spruik their return to the show which launched big careers.

I've been waiting for this 😍😍😍 #AusPacepic.twitter.com/Qq9zZQssh7

— Neighbours (@neighbours) July 28, 2022

“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,” Donovan wrote on social media last month.

“Apart from all the friendships and memories (even that mullet) It has provided countless opportunities for talent, across the board, in my native home Australia and for that I’m beyond grateful.”

Earlier this month he shared a photo of Minogue clad in her characteristic denim overalls and him on set.

Neighbours was first aired on Channel 7 before being picked up by Channel 10. It was moved to subsidiary broadcaster 10 Peach in 2011.