Melanie Pearson (Lucinda Cowden)

[Perdita]

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...SYPgSEXQPLz8iw

Neighbours has announced another familiar face returning to Erinsborough.

Lucinda Cowden will reprise the role of Melanie Pearson in episodes airing in 2021, the Australian soap announced on Twitter today (December 9).

Her return had been teased in a promo last week. Although the video had centred on star Benny Turland's dance moves, Toadie Rebecchi was spotted with a mystery woman.

No plot details have been released at the moment regarding Melanie's latest comeback.

Lucinda starred as Melanie between 1987 and 1991, with her character marrying Joe Mangel (they would later divorce off-screen). She then made appearances in 2005 for the show's 20th anniversary.

This announcement follows Jacinta Stapleton's return as Amy Greenwood, which has started airing in Australia this week. Amy swings by Erinsborough when she hears that Lassiters is looking for a new uniform design.

Channel 5 recently confirmed that Neighbours will be taking a Christmas break, with the last episode of the year airing on Wednesday, December 23. With Australia's 10 Peach not expected to take a break, this means that the transmission gap between the Australian and UK broadcasts will increase.

In the UK, viewers can expect to see Pierce Greyson's exit play out during next week's episodes, as David Tanaka, Aaron Brennan, and Nicolette Stone's baby storyline continues.

[Pantherboy]

The official Neighbours 'tweet' about Lucinda/Melanie's return:


https://twitter.com/neighbours/statu...26144%3Fs%3D21

[lizann]

is she still married to joe

[Pantherboy]

is she still married to joe

According to the DS article, after marrying in the show, they later divorced offscreen.

[Pantherboy]

Digital Spy article:


Neighbours' Melanie Pearson makes first appearance in 15 years
Lucinda Cowden is back.

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...urn-storyline/

Neighbours spoilers follow.

Neighbours has aired Lucinda Cowden's return as Melanie Pearson during Friday's episode (January 8) in Australia.

Lucinda starred on the show between 1987 and 1991, before making additional appearances in 2005. More than 15 years later, Melanie has moved back to Australia and catches up with Jane Harris (Annie Jones) and Des Clarke (Paul Keane) over coffee.

The catch-up didn't happen by chance. It was orchestrated by Sheila Canning (Colette Mann), who persuades Des to use Melanie as an excuse to keep Jane occupied.

Sheila believes there is still romantic hope for her and Clive Gibbons (Geoff Paine), and wants to spend more time alone with him.

Clive is dating Jane, but they agreed on a temporary break for the sake of Sheila's health after she suffered a heart attack.

Melanie is shocked to learn about Jane and Des' split, and is outspoken in her view that Jane and Clive aren't compatible with each other.

She also reveals she's single and still temping as a PA.

Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) sees Melanie after she says goodbye to Jane and Des, but chooses to avoid her entirely. During a conversation between Paul, Jane, and Des about Melanie, Des says Paul should offer Melanie a job ? a suggestion which Paul scoffs at.

The UK is about a month behind, so Channel 5 viewers will have to wait until early February to see Melanie's return.

Neighbours airs weekdays on Channel 5 (UK) and 10 Peach (Australia).

[Pantherboy]

Lucinda/Melanie promo video:

https://youtu.be/Irk-D_-AH0c