If you were born in 1985 or afterwards, you don’t know life without Neighbours. Last night, the show marked its 28th anniversary – an unprecedented milestone in Australian television drama.
And to mark the anniversary week, there’s a wedding between Ramsay Street’s favourite son, Toadie Rebecchi (played by Ryan Moloney) and his fiancée Sonya Mitchell (played by Eve Morey); a million dollar makeover; and the announcement of the five Australian finalists vying to sing the show’s new theme song.
Creators of the multiple Logie Award winning production Fremantle Media Australia filmed sequences of the wedding at its recently upgraded Melbourne studios.
Fremantle Media has also spent more than $1 million to construct three purpose built outdoor sets boastingpools, spas, entertainment areas and the rear façade of three of the show’s famousRamsay Street residences – number 22, 26 and 32, as well as a facelift to Harold’s café. Pictures of the new outdoor sets can be seen below.
“A big part of Neighbours international appeal is its celebration of the Aussie lifestyle and the newoutdoor sets will enhance this and provide a sensational backdrop to our stories movingforward,” said Fremantle Media CEO Asia Pacific Ian Hogg.
The top five Australian finalists selected to take on five UK finalists in the Neighbours ‘Ashes-style’ competition will be featured each night this week, with viewers able to vote from Friday for an Australian representative to take on a UK representative. The five Aussie finalists are:
- Monday – Gavin Chan, Victoria
- Tuesday – Stephanie Angelini, Victoria
- Wednesday – Ben Bennett, NSW
- Thursday – Lucie Mulov, Victoria
- Friday – Chris Ninni, NSW
The overall winner’s vocals will be heard on episodes of Neighbours around the world fromApril this year.
Neighbours debuted on-air in Australia 1985. It has employed an estimated 25,000 cast, production crew and writersover nearly three decades and for many of these, it launched their industry careers.
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