Neighbours has been airing on BBC 1 since 1985 and it follows the daily lives of several families who live in the six houses at the end of Ramsay Street, a quiet cul-de-sac in the fictional, middle class suburb of Erinsborough (which I did not realise was fictional until now!…next they will be saying Walford does not exist!) In the late 1980s it regularly had a UK audience of over eighteen million and was watched by more people than the population of Australia
In the beginning, the show mainly focused on two families, the Robinsons and the Ramsays, neighbours in Ramsay Street. The loud and fiery Max Ramsay (Francis Bell), after whose grandfather the street is named, ruled his household with a iron fist, and had a turbulent relationship with wife Maria (Dasha Blahova) while clashing with his sensitive son Danny Ramsay (David Clencie). Max had more time for his athletic oldest child Shane Ramsay (Peter O’Brien), involved in competitive diving. Max acted as though he owned the entire street and sustained a feud and rivalry with his more thoughtful, business-owner neighbour Jim Robinson (see him looking dead evil in the OC)
Max’s sister Madge Mitchell moved into the Ramsay home in early 1986 and quickly became a key character in storylines. Madge’s daughter Charlene Mitchell (Kylie Minogue), an energetic tomboy, soon moved in, while Max moved away to Queensland. Max’s son Danny settled into his new job of bank teller moved away soon after, and Madge’s son Henry Mitchell (Craig McLachlan) moved in to the house after his release from prison. Charlene began a romance with neighbour Scott Robinson and their Romeo and Juliet-style romance storyline was one of the show’s most popular. Scott and Charlene’s close friends were Des’s latest lodger Mike Young (Guy Pearce), and the plain and studious Jane Harris (Annie Jones). Jane and her grandmother, the meddling Nell Mangel, had moved in to Ramsay Street in mid-1986. Mike and Jane later started a romance. Scott and Charlene’s wedding was a key event in the series. Meanwhile Madge took up with Harold Bishop and they later married. Platonic housemates Des and Daphne eventually fell in love, and later married. After leaving to care for her sick father, Daphne was badly injured in a car accident. She very briefly returned for her death scene in hospital where her final words were the whispered ‘I love you, Clarkey’. It was the first death of a main character
Neighbours has launched the Careers of some very famous stars
Kylie Minogue - Is an international pop pixie!
Jason Donovan - Had a stratospheric rise as a pop star and an equally large fall from grace!
Alan Dale (Jim) - Has found a niche playing evil bastards in the OC and Ugly Betty
Guy Pearce - Is a really really famous actor and recently played Andy Warhol in Factory girl
Craig McLachlan - Had a breif pop career with Hey Mona and starred in BUGS
Other very famous people are Natali Imbruglia (Beth) and Russell Crowe played Kenny Larkin in 1987!
