Madge Bishop will return to the final episode of Neighbors when it airs in the UK on Friday – as a ghost 21 years after her death.
The character, played by Anne Charleston, 79, was married to Harold and was the mother of Kylie Minogue’s character Charlene.
He died of pancreatic cancer in 2001 but will appear again for the last time after Channel 5 dropped funding for the soap, meaning filming in Australia could no longer go ahead.
Unexpected return: Madge Bishop will return in the final episode of Neighbors when it airs in the UK on Friday – as a ghost 21 years after her death (pictured by actress Anne Charleston in 2006)
A source told The Sun: ‘There was no way someone as iconic and legendary as Madge would not appear in the final episode of the soap.
‘It was just a matter of how they could bring him back when his death was such a big part of the show’s history. It’s very clever.
‘The fans are going to get goosebumps – it’s magical.’
Playing the role: The character was married to Harold and was the mother of Kylie Minogue’s character Charlene.
Madge appeared on the show from 1986 to 1992 and again from 1996 to 2001 as a much-loved character.
After husband Harold’s return, the couple renewed their wedding vows and adopted the child, but she was later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Doctors told him he had only a few months to live, but his life was cut short still when he developed septicemia following a finger amputation.
Before she dies, Lou confesses her undying love for him and she dies in Harold’s arms.
It comes later The plot of the final episode of the canceled Australian soap opera has been leaked.
In the 90-minute special, the cast will gather for the wedding of Toddy Rebecchi, played by Ryan Moloney, and Melanie Pearson, played by Lucinda Cowden.
The show will bring together cast members from the past and present, The Daily Telegraph reported.
Info: The plot for the final episode of canceled Australian soap opera Neighbors has been leaked. In the 90-minute special, the cast will gather for the wedding of Todd Rebecchi, played by Ryan Moloney (right), and Melanie Pearson, played by Lucinda Cowden (left).
A major storyline will revolve around returning favorites Guy Pearce and Annie Jones.
Their characters, Mike Young and Jane Harris, are former lovebirds, and old romantic feelings will be stirred in the marriage between the one-time couple.
Elsewhere in the plot, Dr Carl Kennedy, played by Alan Fletcher, will face drama with his former on-screen lover Izzy Holland, played by Natalie Bassingthwaite.
Action! A major storyline will revolve around returning favorites Guy Pearce (left) and Annie Jones (right).
Screen Stars: Their characters, Mike Young and Jane Harris, are former lovebirds. Painted in their time in the neighborhood
Paul Robinson, played by Stephen Dennis, is faced with selling his hotel to Shane Ramsay, played by Peter O’Brien.
A leaked script previously revealed the fate of Scott and Charlene Robinson, played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue.
The couple will return to Erinsborough at the end of the episode and deliver the closing lines, according to Popbeach.
Show Favorites: Attending a wedding will stir old romantic feelings between the one-time couple
Legends: Elsewhere in the plot, Dr Carl Kennedy, played by Alan Fletcher, will face drama with his former on-screen lover Izzy Holland, played by Natalie Bassingthwaite. Both pictures
The Daily Telegraph reports that Charlene will be seen plunging her iconic green mini down Ramsay Street during the episode.
In 1987, the couple’s wedding was watched on television by 22 million people in Australia and the UK.
Kylie and Jason recently went to Australia to film their final scenes for the soap, sharing some behind-the-scenes photos from the set on Instagram.
All Stars: A leaked script previously revealed the fate of Scott and Charlene Robinson, played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue. Behind-the-scenes images from the set together
Famous storyline: Charlene will be seen plunging her iconic green mini down Ramsay Street during the episode. According to Popbeach, the pair will then deliver the show’s closing lines
Returning cast members include Melissa Bell, Olympia Valens, Melissa Bell, Ian Smith, Paul Kane, Bonnie Anderson, Daniel McPherson and Jodie Gordon.
Neighbors was axed after the UK’s Channel 5 decided not to renew its contract with production company Fremantle to finance and broadcast the series.
The Neighbors final airs on Channel 5 in the UK on Friday 29 July.
Neighbors’ most memorable stories
Scott and Charlene’s wedding
Perhaps the most famous Neighbors moment, 20 million people tuned in to watch Scott and Charlene Robinson, played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, marry in November 1988.
The couple’s friends and family were seen in floods of tears as Charlene Agrey walked down the aisle to the Anderson power ballad, with neighbor Nell Mangel holding the bouquet.
Mark leaves Annalize at the altar
Mark Gottlieb and Annalize Hartman’s wedding in 1994 did not go as planned. With both parties nervous that day, Mark breaks up with Annalize saying he can’t marry her.
However, it wasn’t entirely on Annalize as she decided marriage wasn’t for her and became a priest.
Death of Helen Daniels
Helen Daniels, played by the late Anne Hady, established as Ramsay Street’s grandmother.
Caught up in some fascinating storylines, over the years she’s seen her life stolen by a conman, had an affair with her daughter’s fiance, and fallen down some stairs before suffering a stroke.
In an attempt to bring the warring Ramsay and Robinson families together, she gathers them to watch Scott and Charlene’s wedding together but as they clash over their differences, she quietly passes out on the sofa.
Lou, Madge and Harold love triangle
The lives of Madge Ramsay (Anne Charleston), Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) and Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver) were entangled before the show hit the screens, all three having known each other since their school days.
Madge falls head over heels for ‘Jelly Belly’ Harold but is also strongly attracted to Gala Lou.
However, Madge’s life took an unexpected turn for the audience when she married Fred Mitchell, their relationship soon ran into trouble.
Madge and Harold later get back together and he proposes to Madge much to Lo’s dismay as he tries to win her over. Madge finally married Harold in 1988.
After Harold’s death, Lou sets his sights on Madge once more and the pair plan to marry but they call it off when she realizes she is not a match for Harold.
Harold returns from the dead
Harold was killed in the soap when he was swept out to sea when Madge’s back turned, leaving nothing but his glasses.
However, he made a shocking return to Erinsborough five years later, announcing that he was suffering from amnesia, after Helen Daniels ran into him by chance while browsing in a Salvation Army shop.
He returns to Ramsay Street to reunite with Madge.
Death of Magdi
Madge appeared on the show from 1986 to 1992 and again from 1996 to 2001 as a much-loved character.
After Harold’s return, the couple renewed their wedding vows and adopted the child, but she was later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Doctors told him he had only a few months to live, but his life was cut short still when he developed septicemia following a finger amputation.
Before she dies, Lou confesses her undying love for him and she dies in Harold’s arms.
Susan’s memory loss
In typical soap fashion, Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburn) completely lost her memory in 2002 after slipping into milk from a bowl of cereal.
She’s convinced she’s 16 again, a situation that leaves her incredibly confused when she accidentally discovers it at a ’70s-themed birthday party.
Toddy’s heart ached
Jarrod “Toadfish” Rebecchi, played by Ryan Moloney, first suffered heartbreak in 2003 just hours after his wedding to Dee Bliss (Madeleine West) when he lost control of his car and plunged off a cliff, his body never found.
In 2010 he left Steph Scully (Carla Bonner) at the alter when he realized she didn’t love him and during his third wedding to Sonya Mitchell (Eve More) in 2013, a gas bottle exploded during the reception, destroying their marquee and leaving. Sonya with a fractured skull and no memory of marriage. Actors Priya Kapoor and Rhys Lawson also died in the blast.
Source: | dailymail.co.uk