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A Greek community newspaper based in Melbourne, Neos Kosmos, has reported that Olympia Valance will return for the finale episodes of Neighbours. Olympia also shared the news on her own Instagram story:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CdIPBieM...8-6deac8abb4b0
Olympia Valance to return as Paige Smith for Neighbours finale
In a Neos Kosmos exclusive, the Greek Australian breaks the news of joining the last ever episodes of Neighbours among a team of ?favourites from the past?, including Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan. No spoilers on Paige Smith?s final moves in Erinsborough, sorry! But Valance does reveal where she will be honeymooning soon with fianc? Thomas Bellchambers.
https://neoskosmos.com/en/2022/05/04...ctRvmL299wGoeE
As much as the bombshell news dropped in February about ?Neighbours? left fans disappointed, farewelling Australia?s longest-running soap calls for a worthy send off.
Neos Kosmos can now reveal that Olympia Valance is among the ?favourites from the past? selected by Network 10 to return to Ramsay for an on-air celebration.
Confirmation of Paige Smith?s comeback for the series finale comes just days after iconic TV couple Scott and Charlene (played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue) were announced to return.
?We are delighted to have Olympia join us for the celebrations, she is a much-loved cast member and character, and always brings a wonderful energy to the set. Paige Smith has an edge to her that is guaranteed to shake up things ? stand by, ? Neighbours Executive Producer, Jason Herbsion, said.
Since Valance first became a Ramsay St resident in 2014, much has changed both in fictional Erinsborough?s makeup and off screen.
Last time she appeared on the show was in its 35th anniversary in 2020.
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But joining the season?s finale is much more than a guest stint for the actress; rather a homecoming.
?Neighbours has always felt like home to me. It was my first acting job, and it taught me so much. There is a reason why everyone refers to Neighbours as the best training ground in the world,? Valance tells Neos Kosmos.
Indeed, the show has the reputation of a stomping ground for Aussie talent across the industry, including Russell Crowe and Delta Goodrem.
Coming on board the cast was not a walk in the park, though. Then 21-year-old Valance had revealed in an interview shortly after landing the role that it took no less than four nerve-breaking auditions.
Asked to reflect on those times now, she says:
?Not only did Neighbours become my first acting gig, it was also my first audition ever, so I had no idea what to expect.
?I didn?t know how many call backs were considered normal, or how many other actors I was up against to get the part, it was a completely foreign experience for me. I decided to just give it all that I had, a real ?you have to be in it to win it? mentality.?
Valance knows the industry can be ?very tough, if you don?t have a thick skin?, but in hindsight the one thing she would tell her younger self ? and share with anyone entering the industry ? would be to ?give every opportunity that is placed in front of you everything that you?ve got. And if the cards don?t land in your favour, then remember not to take it too personally.?
From the opening scene in 1985, Neighbours has gained the hearts of viewers Down Under and overseas spanning different generations.
And before filming wraps up in June, producers are promising the last round of episodes ? with the very final one, the 8,903rd, set to air on 1 August ? will ?have something for everyone? with current cast joined by ?the most memorable characters from across many eras?.
Paige Smith couldn?t be absent from the party.
?Paige has shifted and grown so much since audiences were first introduced to her in 2014. She found her way back to her family, she became a mum, and last time audiences saw her on screen she finally got married to the love of her life. ? says Valance.
Asked for exclusive spoilers, sorry but she ?can?t say a word!?
?All I can confirm is that Paige is coming back.
?I think a lot of care and attention has been put into these final episodes of Neighbours. They really are a dedication to the fans, so I think everyone will be very happy.?
End of an era for a show that kept company to Aussies in their living rooms for the last 37 years.
Valance?s thoughts?
?I feel like I grew up on Neighbours, so it?s incredibly sad to be saying goodbye permanently.?
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?[?]it?s incredibly special to step back into the shoes of Paige as Australia farewells it?s most iconic television program. I still can?t believe it is coming to an end.?
Thankfully for the Greek Australian actress, there are more big things to look forward to during the year.
?Thomas [Bellchambers] and I are about to get married, so that is the most exciting part of 2022 for me! We?re then heading on an extended honeymoon to Greece which I just can?t wait for[?] If there is one thing these past few years have taught us, it?s to take any and every chance you have to travel and celebrate, so that?s exactly what we?re planning on doing.?
Valance states with no hesitation that Greece is her ?favourite place in the world.?
We can?t blame her. It couldn?t have been otherwise for the granddaughter of Neos Kosmos founder.
EDIT: The DS article:
Neighbours confirms return for Olympia Valance ahead of show ending
"It was my first acting job, and it taught me so much."
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...nce-returning/
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back to sell houses, what when but no mark or tyler
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Not a spoiler, but for any Olympia/Paige fans.
Nowtolove.com.au article:
Neighbours? Olympia Valance has welcomed her first baby after years of infertility struggles
?My miracle baby?.
https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebri...-valance-baby/
Trigger Warning: This article discusses pregnancy loss.
Olympia Valance has welcomed her first child with husband Thomas Bellchambers!
The pair took to Instagram in December to share their big milestone moment, and to reveal the bubs name.
?Billy Bellchambers,? they shared, before revealing his birth date: ?03?12?2024?.
The lovebirds first revealed Olympia?s pregnancy on August 17.
?I?ve been hiding away for the past 5 and a half months to make sure this wasn?t all a dream. But you kept growing and growing and it?s starting to look like our dreams have finally come true,? Olympia wrote in her Instagram caption.
?I?ve been as open and honest as I could about our struggles with infertility and I truly believed that this day wasn?t going to be possible for us. So when I saw this positive pregnancy test I have to admit, at the time, I wasn?t jumping for joy. I was full of fear because that?s all I?ve known. But as the weeks kept going by it was hard to wipe the smile off our faces.
?To the little one we never thought we?d meet, we can?t wait to hold you in our arms. You were worth every tear, every setback, and every prayer.?
Former Neighbours star Olympia and former AFL player Thomas have been extremely open and honest about their struggle with infertility, and the heartbreaking pregnancy losses they have endured.
?I did get pregnant the first couple of times that I did IVF, but I couldn?t hold them,? Olympia said on the Stellar podcast, Something To Talk About.
?I was looking at life without a baby. I was trying to protect myself. I was saying to my husband, ?Will this just be enough? You and I?? And he?s like, ?Absolutely.? And I?m like, ?Great, it?s enough for me, too.? We were really happy. I needed a bloody break.
?I wanted to live my life. It?s been four years of just thinking about babies. I completely lost myself. I didn?t know what I wanted in my career anymore. I wasn?t driven because all I was thinking about was this,? she added.
Although they had accepted that maybe they wouldn?t be able to have a baby any time soon, the pair revealed they accidentally fell pregnant.
Olympia was ?depressed?, thinking she would have to endure another miscarriage, but ?then eight weeks went by and nine weeks, 10 weeks, the 13-week scan went by, and it just kept growing and growing and growing. So it?s the miracle baby.?
?I?m pregnant. I?m 25 weeks,? the 31-year-old shared.
Olympia and Tom were married in June 2022 in a beautiful farmhouse wedding in Victoria.
?Thank you for making me the happiest girl on the planet. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for being you. I love you with every morsel of my being. And I am so proud to be your wife,? the Neighbours actress penned in tribute to her husband just days after their wedding.
The DS article:
Neighbours star Olympia Valance gives birth to baby son and shares sweet name
Congratulations are in order.
https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...nce-baby-name/
