TOMORROW in the UK, the legendary Australian soap Neighbours reaches its 6,000 episode. To mark the occasion, the bosses at Ramsay Street have come up with a ‘Who Dunnit?’ storyline, which will see the evil Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) be pushed off the balcony at the Lassiters complex. It also marks the 25th year of a show, which has been on Channel Five since February 2008, and has given us some iconic and inspirational moments. The residents of Erinsborough have had it all happen to them down the years, and here are fifteen of my memories from the Ramsay Street years.
Scott and Charlene’s Wedding 1987
The real heyday for Neighbours was in its early days, the 1980’s. Just two years into its birth came the wedding of the decade, even more popular to some than Charles and Diana. Nearly 20million UK viewers tuned into the BBC to watch the wedding of Scott Robinson and Charlene Mitchell. Every member of the cast featured in this romantic and groundbreaking episode, which of course set the stone for the legendary careers of Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue. If this doesn’t bring a tear to your eyes, nothing will.
Susan and Karl get married in London 2007
If there is one Neighbours couple that have been through the mill, it must be Karl and Susan Kennedy. In March 2007, they went to London, where Karl proposed to Susan on the London Eye, which she delightfully accepted. In a week which starred cameo roles from Emma Bunton, Neil Morrissey and Michael Parkinson, Karl and Susan got married on the River Thames, the third time that they had got married. However, the wedding was overshadowed by the reappearance of Karl’s former flame and Susan’s bitter enemy, Isabelle Hoyland. Izzy went into labour during the wedding, with the baby delivered by the faithful Doctor Kennedy. Susan would find out that Karl was the father of Izzy’s baby, as the pair had a one-night stand whilst Karl was on prescription drugs to help him sleep. Now that was a dramatic wedding if there ever was one!
Jim Robinson Suffers A Heart Attack 1993
Alan Dale has gone onto great success in hit US shows such as Ugly Betty, The O.C and 24, yet has a habit of having characters that end up dying from a heart attack. His most dramatic death though came in April 1993, when his character in Neighbours, Jim Robinson was written out of the show in smashing fashion. Dale had disagreed with the producers of the show over his salary, and consequently, his contract wasn’t renewed. In the show, Jim began a relationship with Fiona Hartman, who was after one thing, his wealth. Cue several confrontations between the Robinsons and Hartman’s and the stress became too much for Jim, who collapsed in the kitchen floor, flying over a fruit bowl and succumbing to a heart attack. Rather than help the other half, the deceitful Fiona transferred Jim’s money over to her account and allowed Rosemary Daniels to discover the body instead! Pure gratitude!
The Waterhole Explosion 1993
Now when you can smell gas, then you have a problem, and the last thing you want to do is ‘Don’t know, best leave it to the experts!’ Famous words from Brad Willis, who got entangled up in a massive explosion that gutted The Waterhole pub, as it was known then. Brad and his wife, Beth ends up in the cellar when they suspect a leak, but decide to leave the issue to people who know their stuff. The Waterhole, owned by Annalise Hartman explodes seconds later in spectacular fashion, throwing the owner to the ground. Coffee shop assistant Stephen Gottieb was tragically paralysed in the explosion, whilst Beth and Brad luckily escaped with minor injuries. Annalise was dismissed from her position, as she had known about the gas leakage, yet failed to report the incident and The Waterhole was no more. Lou Carpenter would take over the damaged site, for a new watering hole that went the same way a decade later.
Madge Dies 2001
One of the most heart-wrenching moments in the show’s history was the sad final scenes of Madge Bishop in the summer of 2001. When Helen Daniels passed away in 1997, Madge took over as the matriarch of Ramsay Street. Together with husband Harold (Ian Smith), they became one of the most famous couples in soap history. Sadly in 2001, Madge contracted terminal cancer. She spent her last days in her bed at No.24, with many of her close friends, Susan, Karl and Lou saying their emotional goodbyes. With Paul and Tad, the two children that they had fostered and a emotional Harold, Madge quietly passed away in Harold’s arms, in an episode that was so emotional.
Drew’s Death 2002
Libby Kennedy and Drew Kirk were the golden couple of Neighbours at the start of the millennium. They had to overcome several obstacles to tie the knot, and their wedding was just as tear-jerking as Scott and Charlene. In 2002, the couple were considering a move to Oakey and are down in the vicinity, when Drew falls off a horse. It looked like an innocuous incident, but sadly, the injuries are too great and Drew succumbs to liver damage and a brain haemorrhage. The funeral was just as sad and Libby was never the same person again, until her departure two years later. She returned in 2008, and is as strong as ever. A failed marriage to Daniel Fitzgerald has followed, but Libby’s true love was always Drew.
Lassiters Goes Up In Flames 2004
The 2004 season finale saw the planned wedding of Isabelle Hoyland and Karl Kennedy end up being cancelled at the last moment, as Izzy gets cold feet. Despite not getting hitched, Karl gives Izzy a second chance, but the main incident of the night is yet to happen. A mysterious figure in black sets fire to the storeroom in Lou’s pub. The fire spreads very quickly, engulfing Harold’s Coffee Shop in the process. The pub collapses, with Stu Parker and Cindi still trapped inside, although both will be found alive and well. An explosion at the Coffee Shop knocks Max Hoyland out unconscious, to Izzy’s grave distress. Right at the end of the episode, Paul Robinson returns to Ramsay Street, almost totally unnoticed.
The Plane Crash 2005
To celebrate Lassiter’s anniversary, Paul takes a plane into the sky for a joy flight. Several regulars including Isabelle Hoyland, Elle Robinson, Connor Harvey, Dylan Timmins and Sky Mangel are all aboard the flight. One of Paul’s enemies, later to be discovered as his twisted son, Robert Robinson plants a bomb on the plane, which explodes in mid-air. The wreckage ends up in the sea. A dramatic rescue follows afterwards, with the residents who didn’t travel on the flight such as Max, Karl, Janelle and Harold awaiting news of their loved ones. Sadly for Harold, his family of David, Lilijana and Serena Bishop all perished in the disaster. Harold vowed revenge and it would be on an unsuspected Paul.
Harold Strangles Paul 2005
Harold Bishop is struggling to cope with the loss of his family in the plane crash, and when Connor Harvey turns his back on him to reunite with his close friends, Stu Parker and Toadfish Rebecchi, Harold is left with nothing. With Lou away and Sky not being much support either, Harold finds a letter than David had written, damming in his hatred for Paul Robinson (Paul had an affair with David’s wife Lilijana earlier that year.) Harold heads over to No.22 and sneaks in, while Paul is on the phone to his son, Cameron. As Paul hangs up, Harold grabs him around the neck and strangles his grip on Paul, until he collapses unconscious onto the floor. One of the most surprising attacks in Neighbours history!
Stingray’s Death 2007
Sky Mangel’s baby, Kerry badly needs a transplant to beat leukaemia. Kerry’s father, Dylan Timmins is unable to proceed with the transfusion, due to a sample that doesn’t match. Dylan’s brother and Sky’s boyfriend Scott ‘Stingray’ Timmins steps forward, and after a few moments on the operation table when it looked like he might not make it, the transfusion is a success and Stingray makes a swift recover. Sadly, fate takes a decisive blow and at a birthday party for his mum, Janelle, Stingray sits down and despite the best efforts of the Timmins family, they look on devastated as they realise that Stingray has passed away for the surgery complications.
Bridget Passes Away 2009
Another traumatic death in Erinsborough occurred last year, when the very popular Bridget Parker passed away in hospital. Bridget was involved in a car crash with her family, when father Steve attempts to swerve away from a loose horse. Although she made out of the crash unscathed, Bridget collapses with baby India in her arms, and when found by Steve, is rushed to hospital for urgent surgery. It looks like she has survived the worst, but a dream that she has seems to confirm terminal injuries. Bridget goes into cardiac arrest and soon afterwards, Karl and Dr. Newton have to reveal the heartbreaking news. Bridget’s husband Declan Napier, Steve and Miranda Parker struggle to cope with this horrific news. This storyline spelt the exit for the Parkers, who left shortly afterwards.
Susan Finds Out About Karl & Sarah 1998
When the Kennedy family moved into Ramsay Street in 1994, we all knew the fireworks that were going to happen over the next sixteen years. The first test of Susan and Karl’s happiness came in the season finale of 1997, when Karl had a secret moment with his secretary, Sarah Beaumont. Temptation got the better of Karl for six months, and when Susan found out, via neighbourhood gossip at the wedding of Ruth and Philip Martin, Susan gave her guilty husband one huge slap! After time apart, they did reunite, but the previous trust in their marriage had been well and truly shattered.
Harold Disappears 1991
In September 1991, Harold Bishop disappeared and vanished off the screens of Neighbours for five years. Harold and Made had gone out to sea, and Harold was having a caricature of him drawn. The last we see of him, is smiling and waving to a besotted Madge. Then, he get washed out to sea and when his famous glasses are discovered, it is believed that he drowned, though a body was never recovered. Harold reappeared in 1996, spotted by Helen Daniels whilst working for the Salvation Army.
Toadie and Dee’s Wedding/Dee’s Death 2003
Toadfish Rebecchi has been one of Neighbours most well-loved characters, but he has never really been in luck when it comes to romance. It looked like he had found his true happiness, when he met Dee Bliss. Despite a couple of hitches in the lead-up to their wedding, including Toadie being tied up naked to a lamp-post on his stag night, the wedding day went through without any problems. That was until they drove off for the honeymoon. On the way to the airport to grab a flight to the Maldives, Toadie lost control of the car when he leaned over to kiss his new bride. The car skidded and went straight over the edge of a cliff. Toadie managed to scramble out, but Dee was never found, and although a body was never recovered, was presumed dead. What a tragic end to an almost perfect day.
Karl and Izzy’s Break-Up 2005
Karl Kennedy was an absolute fool for giving Izzy so many chances, as she was able to walk all over him. Her lies came back to bite her for good in 2005, when she claims that Karl was the father of her baby which she lost, when it actually wasn’t. When her brother Max confronts her in the office of Scarlett Bar, Karl, having just bought holiday tickets for the happy couple overhears every word. Despite a vain attempt to sort things out, Karl leaves a devastated Izzy on the ground outside the bar, humiliating her infront of Max, Steph, Paul and Susan. This storyline marked the start of Neighbours 20th anniversary week.
So, there you have it, 15 of the best memories from the first 6000 episodes. Here’s to the next 6000, because this is the show when ‘Everybody needs good neighbours, because with a little understanding, you can find the perfect blend!’
Very interesting post. Thanks so much.
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