Guy Pearce widely praised for ‘genuine commitment’ to Neighbours finale

A number of stars returned to farewell Neighbours after 37 years, but one in particular set Twitter ablaze for their role in the finale.

Thursday night’s Neighbours finale was jam-packed full of megastar cameos harking back to the early days, from Kylie Minogue to Margot Robbie.

But one star stood out above the rest for his commitment to the finale, garnering glowing praise across social media.

Award-winning actor Guy Pearce, who portrayed Mike Young from 1986 to 1989, had his very own in-depth storyline in the finale special, arriving to Erinsborough on a motorcycle and rekindling a past romance.

Guy Pearce on Ramsay St. Picture: Supplied

In the first half of the episode, Mike returns to the neighbourhood to win back his former flame Jane, played by Annie Jones, who had already returned to Neighbours in recent years.

In an adorable moment, the pair literally bump into each other, reaching for a heart-shaped box at the same time, eyes meeting.

Swoon.

Jane goes on to take Mike him on a tour of all the Ramsay Street houses, involving flashbacks to the olden days when they were still kids.

The scenes had Twitter ablaze during the episode.

“I have a lot of respect for Guy Pearce. The man has an actual Hollywood career and still came back for the #NeighboursFinale,” one fan tweeted.

“Didn’t just do a cameo and never once acted like it was beneath him.”

Another wrote: “award-winning international actor Guy Pearce’s genuine commitment to respecting the very simple #Neighbours storyline and being properly involved is just mint. What a champion.”

I have a lot of respect for Guy Pearce. The man has an actual Hollywood career and still came back for the #NeighboursFinale, didn’t just do a cameo and never once acted like it was beneath him.

— Neil (@neilrich75) July 28, 2022

Award winning international actor Guy Pearce's genuine commitment to respecting the very simple #Neighbours storyline and being properly involved is just mint. What a champion.

— Penny Dahl (@Pennycopter) July 28, 2022

No idea what is happening but Guy Pearce is a legend for being as involved as he is. #Neighbours#NeighboursFinale

— Puggapillar (@puggapillar) July 28, 2022

In life after neighbours, SAG Award and Emmy-winner Pearce has starred in a number of hit films and TV shows including The Hurt Locker, The King’s Speech, L.A. Confidential and most recently Mare of Easttown.

Speaking ahead of the Neighbours special episode, Pearce recalled his beginnings as an 18-year-old on Ramsay Street in an interview with Channel 10.

“I’d done lots of theatre before, but I’d never done any television, so it was all nerve wracking, and I was looking up to Ally Fowler, Elaine Smith and Peter O’Brien, all these 23-25-year-olds,” he said of his co-stars.

He added: “Neighbours means a lot to me. I feel very nostalgic anyway, it only sort just grows in me how meaningful getting to be on the show actually is.”

He's back on his bike and back on the block! 😍 Guy Pearce shares what it means to him to be back in Erinsborough and reunited with so many old friends! #[e-mail]/tcHhnOSAv1

— Neighbours (@neighbours) July 28, 2022

Meanwhile, Kylie Minogue’s hotly-anticipated cameo with Jason Donovan saw the princess of pop deliver only five lines, which was reportedly due to her accent being “too British” nowadays, according to 7 News.

Elsewhere, Margot Robbie and Delta Goodrem made their appearance via a Zoom call, in which their characters wished Toadie a happy wedding day.

And perhaps the best-kept secret of the Neighbours finale was the surprise return of Holly Valance and Natalie Imbruglia, now both based in London.

Valance and Imbruglia reprised their Neighbours roles for a one-minute scene that showed their characters bumping into each other and comparing stories about their time on Ramsay St.

The pair filmed their scene together in London.

The beloved Aussie soap came to an end this week after a historic 37-year run.

Originally published as Guy Pearce widely praised for ‘genuine commitment’ to Neighbours finale