Neighbours celebrates 20th birthday

The irrepressible Australian soap that is Neighbours is celebrating its 20th birthday today.

16:55 18 March 2005

The irrepressible Australian soap that is Neighbours is celebrating its 20th birthday today.

Today's episode down under airs two decades after viewers were shown the inner workings of Ramsay Street for the first time.

Since then the soap has built a cult status in dozens of countries, not least in Britain, where the BBC has broadcast the show on weekday evenings and lunchtimes.

From Erinsborough's not-so-mean streets have emerged scores of actors and singers who have gone on to bigger and better things, but are still best known for their days in Australia's cosiest community.

Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Guy Pearce, Natalie Imbruglia and Holly Valance have all launched successful careers from the humble surroundings of the fictitious Melbourne suburb, while even Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe appeared in the show.

At its peak in the early 1990s, more than a quarter of British citizens tuned in, with the wedding of Scott (Donovan) and Charlene (Minogue) one of the most memorable TV moments of recent times.

An average of only five million people watch the show in Britain these days and there has even been talk of ITV taking the soap to commercial television.

But for now viewers can rest assured that the BBC will keep bringing everyone's favourite good friends to our screens, with a few old faces set to re-appear.

Kimberley Davies, who played Annalise Hartman and Mark Little, who played Joe Mangel, are currently filming in Australia as part of the celebrations and will be back on screen there in July.

"It's wonderful to return home and be a part of something that was a big part of your life," Davies told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Little, who has been a regular feature on British TV screens since leaving the soap, added: "It's only when you return you realise how much you really miss the place."