Kylie Minogue and her real-life ex Jason Donovan have finally reunited for their final scenes on Neighbours, sharing some sweet photos on Instagram on Monday.
The blonde superstar, 54, brought back her iconic curls to reprise her role as Charlene Robinson to star alongside Jason, who plays her husband Scott, for the iconic soap’s final episode.
Kylie captioned images of the pair together on her Instagram account, ‘Now we’re back together’, referencing their hit song, Especially For You.
Now we’re back together’: Kylie Minogue brings back the curls as she cosies up to her on and former off screen lover Jason Donovan to film scenes for the final episode of Neighbours
Minogue captioned images of the pair together on her Instagram account, ‘Now we’re back together’
The pint-sized pop star donned her character’s famous mechanic’s overalls for what would be her final appearance on the cancelled series.
Kylie’s appearance comes as the cast filmed their last scenes after the show was axed after 37 years.
The beleaguered soap opera faced an uncertain future following its cancellation by original network Channel 5, where it has spent the last 14 of its 37-years on British TV.
And Fremantle Media, the production company responsible for its development confirmed it would be taken off-air indefinitely over the summer after an ‘extensive search for alternative funding’ ended in failure.
But in the 80s, the show was unstoppable with Kylie and Jason’s onscreen wedding as Scott and Charlene was watched by two million Australians on July 1, 1987.
A step back in time: Kylie (right) pictured in her famous overalls as Charlene with Jason (centre) and Guy Pearce (left) – pictured in the 80s
Snap happy: Jason looked delighted to be back in his plaid shirt and with his favourite former co-star
Their union was an even bigger attraction when it aired in the UK a year later, drawing 19.6 million viewers, making it Britain’s third most-watched show of 1988.
Kylie and Jason, who were dating in real life at the time were household names in both countries, and would each go on to launch music careers in the UK.
Their on-screen relationship began after Scott mistook Charlene for an intruder at his neighbour Madge Ramsay’s house, before eventually learning she was Madge’s daughter.
After getting married, the pair left Erinsborough and moved to Brisbane.
THE HAIR! Kylie shared this caption alongside the snaps she shared and lots of people were very excited by the news
Loving their experience: He shared a small video of them laughing and joking around
Ready for his close-up: He shared a snap of his chuckling mouth as he remained in high spirits
Beaming: While time has moved on, Jason and Kylie still look incredibly youthful
Kylie quit Neighbours in June 1988, having become the first person to win four Logie Awards in one year and the youngest ever recipient of a Gold Logie.
She went on to launch a phenomenally successful music career, selling more than 80 million albums worldwide.
After leaving Neighbours in 1989, Jason, like Kylie, pursued a pop career and while he may not have been as successful as his on-screen bride, he had a string of hits including Too Many Broken Hearts and Sealed With A Kiss.
Absolutely iconic: They were so popular in the 80s, they even recorded the Christmas Number 1 single Especially For You
Off screen, the couple dated from 1986 to 1989 – famously sharing a night of passion in a Travelodge.
They were so popular at this time, they even recorded the Christmas Number 1 single Especially For You.
Jason told the Mirror in 2016: ‘It was an extremely painful parting of the ways and, without a doubt, I took a long time to recover from it. Years, definitely.’
Kylie then dated the late INXS frontman Michael Hutchence. She is now in a romance with British GQ’s Creative Director Paul Solomons and Jason is married to Angela Malloch
Icon: Actor Alan Fletcher, 65, who’s played Dr Karl Kennedy in the show for 28 years, appeared on This Morning on Monday, saying ‘we can be sad this journey is over’
Meanwhile, actor Alan Fletcher, 65, who’s played Dr Karl Kennedy in the show for 28 years, appeared on This Morning on Monday.
He said: ‘We can be sad that this journey is over. The last episode was amazing. It was such a family atmosphere on the last day it was great. They asked me to come back and I readily accepted.
‘The affair with Izzy was my best storyline. It was great and we just laughed.
‘We were prepared to leave it, we know that it could end anytime. I was there for 28 years. I has mixed emotions when I found out it was ending. We can be sad the journey is ending but we have to be happy that the journey happened at all!’
‘I am doing country music now so I will be back in the UK doing this soon.’
While Kylie and Jason filmed their roles away from the set, due to the pop princess’s schedule – Memento actor Guy (Mike Young) returned to Melbourne.
End of an era: The actor has played the role of Karl Kennedy since 1994 (pictured with co-star Jackie Woodburne who played his dutiful wife Susan)
“One of my favourites was Guy Pearce. There wasn’t a single person who was asked to do something for the end, who was available, who said no’; Alan revealed.
It comes as Channel 5 has announce Friday 29th as the transmission date for the soap’s final episode.
Fans in the UK can watch the iconic Australian soap come to a close at 9pm on Friday 29th July with a double episode special.
Goodbye: (L-R) Ryan Moloney, Alan Fletcher, Jackie Woodburne, Angela Bishop, Ian Smith and Stefan Dennis say farewell to the soap’s Melbourne set
Featuring in it’s usual TX slots at 1:45pm and 6pm it will be followed by the history-making finale which will air later the same evening.
In what is set to be a gripping and emotional finale, fan favourites from the past will be returning to Ramsay Street to celebrate with Erinsborough locals.
The send-off promises to have something for everyone, spanning all generations and decades from the opening scene in 1985, to the final episode in 2022.
Tour: The stars of Neighbours will reportedly embark on a ‘farewell tour’ of the UK after the finale episode airs in Augus
Channel 5 teased that further announcements will be made in the coming weeks about additional surprises to send off the iconic soap in style.
The Australian soap was axed in March this year following the loss of its main UK broadcast partner, Channel 5.
News of the finale air date comes after it was reported that the stars of Neighbours will reportedly embark on a ‘farewell tour’ of the UK after the finale episode.
Key cast members will visit eight cities across England, Scotland and Wales – London, Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Cardiff – in March 2023, according to Digital Spy.
Drama: the character has featured in many high p[profile stories throughout the years (pictured with co-star Natalie Bassingthwaighte)
The soap had previously planned an ‘in conversation series’ in 2020, coinciding with its 35th anniversary, but had to cancel due to Covid.
These plans have now apparently been rebooted as a ‘farewell tour’ but the ‘key stars’ taking part in the rumoured tour have not been revealed.
It comes after executive producer Jason Herbison hinted Kylie and Jason may have a bigger role in the finale than previously reported.
Back for more: While the final plot details are under wraps former stars Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce will return briefly to the roles that made them famous (Guy pictured in the show in 1988)
Can’t wait: The send-off promises to have something for everyone, spanning all generations and decades from the opening scene in 1985, to the final episode in 2022. (Pictured: Kylie and Jason on the show in 1988)
Mr Herbison told The Herald Sun that a recent storyline ‘leak’ did not fully explain how the ’80s golden couple will return to Ramsay Street.’What I’ve read is not what happens which is great. It hasn’t come out yet,’ he said.
Mr Herbison kept tight-lipped about the details of their appearance, but he did say the cameo was ’emotional’ for the actors.
‘Seeing Kylie back as Charlene was quite a moment. Very special and I think for them too it was a real full circle for them,’ he said.
Kylie and Jason’s wedding on the series 34 years ago was watched by 22 million people across Australia and the UK.
Neighbours: The Finale will air The final episode will air in Australia on Monday, August 1.
Neighbours’ most memorable storylines
Scott and Charlene’s wedding
Perhaps the most famous Neighbours moment, 20million people tuned in to watch Scott and Charlene Robinson, played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, get married in November 1988.
The pair’s friend and family were seen in floods of tears as Charlene walked down the aisle to Angry Anderson power ballad Suddenly, with neighbour Nell Mangel catching the bouquet.
Mark leaves Annalise at the altar
Mark Gottlieb and Annalise Hartman’s nuptials didn’t go to plan in 1994. While both parties were nervous on the day, Mark left Annalise at the alter, saying he couldn’t marry her.
However, it wasn’t totally down to Annalise as he decided marriage wasn’t for him and decided to become a priest.
The death of Helen Daniels
Helen Daniels, played by the late Anne Haddy, established herself as the grandmother of Ramsay Street.
Embroiled in some gripping storylines, over the years she saw her life stolen by a conman, she had an affair with her daughter’s fiancé, and she fell down some stairs before suffering a stroke.
In a bid to bring the warring Ramsay and Robinson families together, she gathered them round to watch Scott and Charlene’s wedding together but, as they bickered over their differences, she quietly passed away on the sofa in her sleep.
The Lou, Madge and Harold love triangle
Madge Ramsay (Anne Charleston), Harold Bishop (Iain Smith) and Lou Carpenter’s (Tom Oliver) lives were entangled before the show even hit screens, with the trio knowing one another from their school days.
Madge fell head over heels for ‘Jelly Belly’ Harold but was also strongly attracted to cheeky Lou.
However, Madge’s life took an unexpected turn for viewers when she married Fred Mitchell, with their relationship soon becoming troubled.
Madge and Harold later got back together and he proposed much to the distaste of Lou who attempted to win Madge over. Madge eventually married Harold in 1988.
After Harold’s death, Lou set his sights on Madge once more and the pair planned to marry but they called it off when he realised he wasn’t a match for Harold.
Harold returns from the dead
Harold was killed off on the soap when he was swept out to sea when Madge’s back was turned, leaving nothing behind other than his glasses.
However, he made a shock return to Erinsborough five years later, declaring he’d suffered from amnesia, with Helen Daniels running into him by chance while browsing in a Salvation Army shop.
He returned to Ramsay Street to be reunited with Madge.
Madge’s death
Madge appeared on the show from 1986 to 1992 and again from 1996 to 2001 as a much-loved character.
After Harold’s return, the pair renewed their marriage vows and fostered a child but she was later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Doctors told her she had just months to live but further tragedy struck when her life was shortened even further after she developed septicaemia after cutting her finger.
Before her death, Lou confessed his undying love for her and she died in the arms of Harold.
Susan’s memory loss
In typical soap style, Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) totally lost her memory after slipping on the milk from a spilled bowl of cereal in 2002.
She was convinced she was 16 years old again, a situation that left her incredibly confused when she found herself by chance at a 70s-themed birthday party.
Toady’s heartache
Jarrod “Toadfish” Rebecchi, played by Ryan Moloney, found was first heartbroken just hours after his wedding to Dee Bliss (Madeleine West) in 2003 when he lost control of their car and drove it off a cliff, with her body never being found.
In 2010 he left Steph Scully (Carla Bonner) at the alter when he realised she didn’t love him and during his third wedding to Sonya Mitchell (Eve Morey) in 2013, a gas bottle exploded during the reception, destroying their marquee and leaving Sonya with a fractured skull and no memory of the wedding. Characters Priya Kapoor and Rhys Lawson were also killed in the blast.
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