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Neighbours is a long-running Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems together. The series primarily centres around the residents of Ramsay Street, a short cul-de-sac in the equally fictitious suburb of Erinsborough. Neighbours initially began with three families – the Ramsays, the Robinsons and the Clarkes. When storylines for certain characters become tired, the scriptwriters simply move one family out and replace it with a new one. Ramsay Street is now a mixture of older characters and newer characters. The following is a list of characters and cast members who are currently appearing in the show or who are upcoming, returning and departing.

Present characters

Recurring and guest characters

See also: Recurring characters of Neighbours

Cast changes

Upcoming and returning characters

Departing characters

Past characters

Notable cast members

• Alan Dale played Jim Robinson for 8 years from 1985–1993, appearing in the first episode. Dale left the show after his character died of a heart attack. Since leaving Neighbours, Dale has appeared in numerous films and TV series', including 24, The O.C., Ugly Betty and Lost.
• Anne Haddy played Helen Daniels for 12 years from 1985–1997, appearing in the very first episode. Haddy had appeared in numerous TV series including Sons and Daughters and Prisoner prior to winning the role as Helen Daniels. Haddy was the longest serving cast member when she left in 1997, when Helen died of old age. Haddy herself died two years after leaving Neighbours.
• Anne Charleston played Madge Bishop for a total of 11 years from 1986–1992 and 1996–2001. Throughout her time in the Street, Madge only lived at one address (No. 24). Madge died of cancer in 2001. Since leaving Neighbours, Charleston has appeared in British soap opera Emmerdale as Lily Butterfield.
• Kylie Minogue played Charlene Mitchell for 2 years from 1986–1988. Charlene's biggest storyline was her wedding to Scott Robinson in 1987, which attracted almost 20 million viewers in the UK Upon leaving Neighbours, Minogue began a successful career as a recording artist. Her first single, "The Loco-Motion", spent seven weeks at number one on the Australian singles chart.
• Jason Donovan played Scott Robinson for 3 years from 1986–1989. Donovan was the second actor to play Scott after Darius Perkins. The character's most notable storylines were his romance and wedding to Charlene Mitchell. After leaving Neighbours, Donovan launched a successful singing and acting career and appeared in stage show Joseph.
• Guy Pearce played Mike Young for 3 years from 1986–1989. Mike lived at No.28 with Daphne Clarke after escaping an abusive father. He became a teacher at Erinsborough High, but was suspended after kissing a student. Mike eventually left the street to be with his mother. Since leaving Neighbours, Pearce has gone on to a successful acting career. He has starred in a number of films including, LA Confidential, Memento and The Proposition.
• Ian Smith played Harold Bishop for a total of 17 years from 1987–1991 and 1996–2009. Harold was moved to recurring status in April 2008 and after a cancer storyline, the character and Smith departed the show permanently in February 2009. This makes him the second longest serving character in the show's history after Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver). Harold was named the 'top soap bloke of all time' in a poll for Loaded magazine.
• Craig McLachlan played Henry Ramsay for 2 years from 1987–1989. Henry Ramsay was Charlene's brother who had served time in prison. One of the character's most notable storylines was his romance with Bronwyn Davies, played by McLachlan's future wife Rachel Friend. After leaving Neighbours in 1989, McLachlan joined rival Australian soap opera Home and Away. He also launched a singing career and starred in various roles on stage.
• Kristian Schmid played Todd Landers for 4 years from 1988–1992. Todd's death in 1992 made him the youngest character to die in the shows history. He was also the first character to be given the tribute end credits sequence. Schmid has since gone on to star in Australian TV show, Sea Patrol and the 2002 film Scooby-Doo.
• Natalie Imbruglia played Beth Willis for 2 years from 1992–1993 and 1994. Imbruglia joined Neighbours when she was 16. After leaving in 1993, Beth returned briefly in 1994 before leaving for Perth. Three years after leaving the show, Imbruglia began her successful career as a recording artist with debut single "Torn". Imbruglia also co-starred in the 2003 film Johnny English.
• Jesse Spencer played Billy Kennedy for 6 years from 1994–2000. Billy Kennedy is the youngest child of Susan and Karl Kennedy and was good friends with Toadie. In 2000, Billy moved to Queensland with then girlfriend, Anne Wilkinson. Spencer has appeared in the role of Dr. Robert Chase in American medical drama House since 2004. He has also appeared in films, Uptown Girls and Winning London.
• Radha Mitchell played Catherine O'Brien for a year from 1996–1997. Mitchell first appeared in Neighbours as Cassandra Rushmore in 1994. She returned in 1996 as student Catherine O'Brien. Catherine was an environmentalist who dated Stonefish Rebecchi until falling for Malcolm Kennedy. Catherine and Mal left Australia for England in 1997. Mitchell is a successful film actress has appeared in many films including, Phone Booth, Finding Neverland and Melinda and Melinda.
• Holly Valance played Felicity Scully for 3 years from 1999–2002. Felicity Scully is the second eldest of the Scully children. Her notable storylines included an affair with her sister's (Stephanie Scully) fiancée and her romance with Stuart Parker. Valance left Neighbours to launch a singing career and is now working in the US. She has guest starred in Prison Break and appeared in the 2008 film Taken.
• Delta Goodrem played Nina Tucker for a year from 2002–2003, with a short return in 2004. Nina Tucker was a shy, singer who later left the street for a Bollywood career. Goodrem was forced to leave Neighbours to begin treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma, which she has now made a full recoverey. She has gone on to have a successful singing career, her first album, Innocent Eyes, contained many of the songs that Goodrem sang on the show as Nina.
• Natalie Bassingthwaighte played Isabelle Hoyland for 3 years from 2003–2006, returning briefly in 2007. Izzy Hoyland often caused trouble for other Ramsay Street residents and had a fiery relationship with Paul Robinson. Bassingthwaighte is the former lead vocalist of pop band Rogue Traders and the host of So You Think You Can Dance Australia.
• Stephanie McIntosh played Sky Mangel for 4 years from 2003–2007. Sky Mangel was Harold Bishop's granddaughter. Her most notable stoylines included a kiss with Neighbours first openly lesbian character, confronting her mother's killer and an unplanned pregnancy. McIntosh is the half sister of Jason Donovan. She left the show after her contract expired to pursue a singing career.
• Dichen Lachman played Katya Kinski for 2 years from 2005–2007. The part of Katya was created for Lachman after she originally auditioned for the role of Elle Robinson. After leaving Neighbours, Lachman moved to Los Angeles and was cast as Sierra in Joss Whedon's Dollhouse.
• Dean Geyer played Ty Harper for a year from 2008–2009. Geyer is a singer who appeared on Australian Idol in 2006. Geyer was offered the part of musician and university drop-out, Ty Harper in 2007. Ty was introduced as the cousin of Taylah Jordan and began a relationship with Rachel Kinski, which led him to move to England to be with her in 2009.
• Stefan Dennis has played Paul Robinson since 1985–1992 and 2004 onwards. He is the only current cast member to have appeared in the first episode. Dennis left the show in 1992 and returned in 2004, he later admitted that quitting Neighbours was a stupid mistake.
• Tom Oliver has played Lou Carpenter since 1992, following a recurring stint in 1988. After the departure of Harold Bishop (Ian Smith), Lou became the longest running character in the show's history. Oliver had appeared in many Australian television programmes, including Prisoner, before winning the role of Lou.

References

1. "Strewth! 20 years of Neighbours". Sunderland Echo. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. 17 October 2005. Retrieved 23 December 2009.
2. ^ "Neighbours hits 15 years of success". BBC News. 26 October 2001. Retrieved 26 May 2010.
3. Millar, Paul (28 December 2010). "Harold Bishop returning to Ramsay Street". Digital Spy. Hachette Filipacchi (UK) Ltd. Retrieved 28 December 2010.
4. "Monday, 09-May-2011". Southern Cross Media. Retrieved 16 April 2011.
5. "Ex-Bay hunk hits Neighbours". Holy Soap. Channel 5. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 1 March 2011.
6. "Dieter Brummer's soapie comeback". TV Week. Ninemsn. 6 March 2011. Retrieved 6 March 2011.
7. "Tuesday, 10-May-2011". Southern Cross Media. Retrieved 18 April 2011.
8. "Harold Bishop to find love on Ramsay Street". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times. 30 March 2011. Retrieved 30 March 2011.
9. "Ex-Bill star for Neighbours role". Holy Soap. Channel 5. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 22 March 2011.
10. Knox, David (17 February 2011). "Scott McGregor to leave Neighbours". TV Tonight. Retrieved 16 February 2011.
11. "Scott McGregor to exit Neighbours". Holy Soap. Channel Five. 17 February 2011. Retrieved 17 February 2011.
12. ^ "Another farewell". TV Week. ACP Magazines: 39. 16–22 April 2011. Long-time cast member Janet Andrewartha, who plays Lyn Scully, is the latest Ramsay Street resident to pack her bags and leave the show. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
13. Byrne, Fiona (16 April 2011). "Kym Valentine to take a neighbourly break". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times. Retrieved 15 April 2011.
14. "Alan Dale (I)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
15. "Anne Haddy". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
16. "Anne Haddy Dies". BBC News. 7 June 1999. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
17. "Madge Bishop Joins Emmerdale". Retrieved 15 December 2009.
18. "Five Wins Neighbours Soap Fight". BBC News. 18 May 2007. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
19. "Kylie Biography". Retrieved 15 December 2009.
20. "Jason Donovan Biography". Retrieved 15 December 2009.
21. "Guy Pearce (I)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
22. Irvine, Chris (27 August 2008). "Harold Bishop to Leave Ramsay Street". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
23. "Harold Bishop is Top Soap Bloke". Retrieved 14 December 2009.
24. "Craig McLachlan". Retrieved 15 December 2009.
25. "Kristian Schmid". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
26. Wilks, Robin (20 April 2002). "Top Five Ex-Neighbours Stars". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
27. "Natalie Imbruglia". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
28. "Jesse Spencer (I)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
29. "Radha Mitchell". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
30. "Holly Valance Quits Neighbours". BBC News. 10 August 2002. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
31. "Delta Goodrem at Neighbours.au". Retrieved 16 December 2009.
32. "Bassingthwaighte Quits The Rogue Traders". The Daily Telegraph. 25 June 2008. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
33. "Shake Up on Ramsay St". Retrieved 16 December 2009.
34. "Dichen Lachman". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
35. Moran, Jonathon (4 November 2007). "Dean Geyer to join Neighbours". The Sunday Telegraph. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
36. "Stefan: Quitting Neighbours Was Stupid". Digital Spy. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
37. "Tom Oliver (I)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 15 December 2009.

External links

• Characters and cast at the Official AU Neighbours website
• Characters and cast at Holy Soap
• Characters and cast at the Internet Movie Database

• Use dmy dates from April 2011
• Neighbours characters