Harold and Madge Bishop

[Perdita]

Neighbours legends Ian Smith and Anne Charleston are returning to the soap for its 30th anniversary celebrations.

The much-loved former cast members have been back on set in recent days, reprising their roles as popular couple Harold and Madge Bishop.

Ian Smith and Anne Charleston back at Neighbours
© Fremantle Media
Ian Smith and Anne Charleston back at Neighbours

As Madge passed away following a battle against pancreatic cancer 13 years ago, show bosses are keeping tight-lipped about how, why and in what form the Bishops will reappear on Ramsay Street.

Speaking of her shock comeback, Charleston explained: "It was an immediate yes when I was invited to return for the 30th anniversary. I wouldn't have missed it and I'm thrilled with the way their story unfolds."

Smith added: "I spent half my working life on Neighbours and so it's lovely to be back with Anne and all the cast and crew."

Charleston played the role of Madge between 1986 and 1992, before returning for a second stint between 1996 and 2001.

Smith also has a long history with Neighbours, playing Harold on and off between 1987 and 2009. He last returned for a guest stint in 2011.

Neighbours will air its 30th anniversary episodes in March next year, and show producers have promised that more returning cast members have yet to be announced.

[gillyH1981]

Madge is returning in a dream sequence.

[Perdita]

She could also be shown in memory flash backs

[ps21aj]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/entert...b6daf9db277663

Doesn't look like he will ever come back ��

[ps21aj]

http://www.couriermail.com.au/entert...b6daf9db277663

Doesn't look like he will ever come back 👎

[Pantherboy]

DS article:


Neighbours reveals first look at legendary character back on set
Welcome back!

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...rn-first-look/

Neighbours may be in the midst of sadness with the news of its axe this year, but the soap took the opportunity to celebrate its momentous 37 years on air this week with a series of congratulatory messages from its cast.

Yesterday (March 18), Neighbours shared a video to social media featuring a host of cast wishing the soap "Happy Birthday", including Takaya Honda, Richie Morris and Charlotte Chimes, but it also included the reintroduction of one of it's iconic actors ? Ian Smith.

Smith has played the legendary Harold Bishop on and off for almost the entire length of the show's reign, first appearing in 1987, with his last regular episode in 2009, before a few subsequent brief returns in 2011 and 2015.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1504729325282635777

Neighbours seems excited by the familiar face reappearing on Ramsay Street, captioning the post: "Today is our birthday ? it's been 37 years since we first appeared on screen! We can't think of a better day to have a Neighbours LEGEND return to Erinsborough!"

This is the first time Smith has been seen on set since it was announced last month by Dr Karl Kennedy actor Alan Fletcher that he would be returning in the final episodes to help send off the show.

Fletcher also teased that producers are hoping numerous classic characters will feature in the finale of the soap, with fans keen to see Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan return to the place that catapulted their careers.

I can assure you that the producers are working very, very hard to try and entice some of the most loved characters from Neighbours to at least make some appearances," Fletcher said.

"I can't give away any spoilers on [Kylie and Jason's return] yet but that's going to be the joy of those last episodes. Just sitting there and going 'oh look who's here!'"

We do, however, know that Peter O'Brien will be reprising the role of Shane Ramsay, who was last seen all the way back in 1987, to celebrate the final farewell of the soap, whilst we also know that some cast will be departing before the show finally ends ? Kyle Canning (Chris Milligan), Roxy Willis (Zima Anderson) and Ned Willis (Ben Hall).

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.

[Pantherboy]

DS article:


Neighbours confirms Harold Bishop's return storylines
He's been away from the Aussie soap for seven years.

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/nei...bishop-return/

With the end of Neighbours in sight and the sheer number of returning cast members from years gone by showing up, the Aussie soap has now revealed what beloved character Harold Bishop will be getting up to on his return.

Home from their break, Karl and Susan Kennedy are confronted by how closed off Mackenzie (Georgie Stone) is following Hendrix Greyson's tragic death, and encourage her to clear the air with her dad Grant following recent differences between them, but she has no desire to.

Little do they know, the surprise arrival of a beloved friend ? Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) ? could make all the difference.

Later in the week, Amy Greenwood is struggling with her love life and avoids Toadie and Melanie as they celebrate their engagement.

Zara's heart breaks for her mother, believing that Toadie and Amy have unacknowledged feelings for each other, but as she laments the unfairness of the situation to Harold, she starts to suspect he's not so excited about the development either.

Harold refuses to help Zara break Toadie and Melanie up, but promises to look into her concerns. He asks Amy for her opinion on Melanie's dependability, and Amy decides to put her own feelings aside and speaks highly of Mel, but Zara's listening in and won't drop the matter just yet.

Meanwhile, Mackenzie is still struggling with her grief and inability to eat. Identifying with her distress, Harold opens up to her about his own journey through grief. As Harold counsels her, Mackenzie feels stronger for the first time in a long time.

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.

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.