Inside Soap UK 30 - 2022

Deciding how to end a soap is no small responsibility, and one that has been tackled by production teams in very different ways. Family Affairs, for example, left us with the happy tableau of the cast singing Auld Lang Syne. They genuinely thought some of their, um, popular characters might spin-off into their own drama series, you see. (Spoiler: they didn’t.) But while some producers steer their ship gently into harbour, others drive it straight at the rocks. US soap The Colbys ended with Fallon Carrington seemingly abducted by aliens. The final (so far) incarnation of Crossroads saw Jane Asher snap awake and declare the whole thing a dream. Happily, such contemptuous whimsy is not for Neighbours, who we knew would do right by its fans. It ends with a…

Neighbours ends for good this week (sob!), and there’s huge drama ahead as we hurtle towards the epic last episode – when Ramsay Street goes up for sale! Horrified at the thought of saying farewell to their friends, the Kennedys stand firm as the only residents refusing to move. Can they save the street before the homes go under the hammer at an auction? And if that isn’t drama enough, who should rock up at the hour of Erinsborough’s greatest need but beloved ex-residents Charlene and Scott… Are they here to make a purchase and save their old homes for future generations of Ramsays and Robinsons? “Change is definitely in the air on Ramsay Street!” begins our Neighbours insider. “One by one, and for all sorts of different reasons, the…

NeighboursTHE FINALE! Among the familiar faces returning is Mike Young, former troubled teen and Jane’s first love! The sweethearts are thrilled to be reunited, but jealousy grips Jane’s current squeeze Clive and he and Mike end up brawling! Over 30 years since he was last in Erinsborough, star Guy Pearce reveals how it felt to be back… Hi, Guy! Was it nice to be part of the last episode? I’m very nostalgic so I’ve always wanted to step back on to the show at some stage. With the sad news it was finishing, it seemed like the appropriate time, and I was planning a trip home to Australia anyway so it all worked. What has Mike been up to since 1989? He moved to Perth and became a teacher, we…

Even as tears are shed by Neighbours fans across the world for the show’s grand finale, the residents of Erinsborough are leaving our screens with smiles on their faces, thanks to Toadie and Melanie tying the knot with a big-old Ramsay Street knees up! “The whole idea is really cute!” explains Lucinda Cowden, who plays Mel. “Toadie and Mel split the day in two, so the other one doesn’t know what they have planned. Toadie organises the wedding and Melanie’s responsible for the reception. The wedding is at the lake, so they’re honouring Sonya, and it’s also where they had Hendrix’s memorial. It’s beautiful and they arrive in cool vintage cars. I won’t tell you about the reception – but there are pigs involved!” Everyone from Ramsay Street celebrates with…

This is the moment that Kevin suddenly flips and goes berserk – arming himself with a wrench and smashing up Stephen’s flash motor! It’s unlike calm Kev to lose his cool, but as the pressure of Abi’s homecoming with baby Alfie collides with drama for Kev’s son Jack, the mechanic struggles to cope – and snaps… “Kevin has been trying to spin too many plates,” explains Michael Le Vell, who plays him. “The garage is busy, he’s been up all night painting Alfie’s nursery – and then arrogant Stephen comes in demanding his car be fixed. Kev also needs to be at Jack’s school for a presentation, and his son is playing up.” In the lead-up to Kev losing his cool, a situation with Jack threatens to derail their happy…

After nearly 40 years of fighting, family dramas and fixing several hundred fan belts, Michael has seen and done it all on the cobbles… “It has been fantastic to be at the centre of the drama,” reflects the star, who joined the Street in 1983. “Though it would be nice to see Abi, Kevin, Jack and Alfie have the happiness they deserve, and with a bit of breathing space in this blended family they have. They do love each other so much, and they are determined to make it work and be happy. But with all the things Abi and Kev have to deal with, life is never going to be dull!”…