Neighbours unveils 23 returnees for last episodes

Neighbours has not one, but 23 treats in store across its last-ever episodes.

A double episode will close out the soap forever on Monday, August 1, following Channel 5's decision to discontinue its broadcast over in the UK.

It's now been announced that a whole bunch of legacy characters will make their way back to Ramsay Street in honour of the end.

Related: Neighbours confirms return for Olympia Valance ahead of show ending

Straight from the 1980s, we have Kylie Minogue (reprising Charlene Mitchell), Jason Donovan (Scott Robinson), Ian Smith (Harold Bishop), Peter O'Brien (Shane Ramsay), Mark Little (Joe Mangel) and Paul Keane (Des Clarke).

90s folk are as follows: Daniel MacPherson (Joel Samuels), Benjamin McNair (Mal Kennedy), Melissa Bell (Lucy Robinson) and Lesley Baker (Angie Rebecchi).

From the 00s: Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Izzy Hoyland), Chris Milligan (Kyle Canning), Pippa Black (Elle Robinson), Morgan Baker (Callum Rebecchi) and Jordan Patrick Smith (Andrew Robinson) are returning.

And stars that previously appeared between 2011 and 2019 include, Olympia Valance (Paige Smith), James Mason (Chris Pappas), Jodi Gordon (Elly Conway), Zoe Cramond (Amy Williams), Kate Kendall (Lauren Turner), Ben Hall (Ned Willis), Olivia Junkeer (Yashvi Rebecchi) and Zima Anderson (Roxy Willis).

Related: Neighbours' story team finish work on soap after mapping out final episodes

Discussing this farewell squad, executive producer Jason Herbison shared in a statement: "Whether the eighties, nineties, naughties or teens is your favourite decade, we will be delivering something for everyone as Neighbours draws to a close.

"Alongside the current cast we will be celebrating the most memorable characters from across many eras, with a few surprises up our sleeve."

Harold Bishop himself Ian Smith, last seen on screen seven years ago, went on to say: "It's an absolute pleasure to be back. I'm the biggest sook under the sun. I'm going to be shocking on the last night that Neighbours airs.

"It really will be an end of an era and I am so proud to have been a part of it."

Daniel MacPherson, who's returning as Joel Samuels, added: "Joining Neighbours at age 17, little did I know, was going to kick start a career that continues to be the adventure of a lifetime. To go back and play Joel one more time, was a small way to show my enormous gratitude to cast, crew and fans of the show."

Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 6pm on Channel 5 and streams on My5. In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 6.30pm on 10 Peach and streams on 10 Play.

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