Neighbours fans are in for a real treat, as the legendary Australian soap can now be watched from the very beginning.
Hopefully this will soften some of the devastating blow dealt in February, when it was confirmed that the serial had been axed once again.
This is now the third time in 40 years that the camera have stopped rolling – though it looks unlikely that there will be any chance of a revival after Amazon Prime Video pulled the plug.
The streaming giant not only owns the rights to make new episodes, but also host an archive of classic episodes, as well as every instalment from 2012 onwards.
Whether or not the serial will remain on the platform after the finale in December remains to be seen, but for now, grieving viewers can take some comfort in the fact distributors Fremantle Media have began daily uploads on video sharing site YouTube.
The Neighbours Classics channel is currently up to episode 480, which aired on 1st May 1987 in its home country, and on 8th September 1988 in the UK.
A more contemporary offering is hosted by the Neighbours Ramsay St channel, which is currently on episode 6950, from 2014.
There hasn’t been much fanfare about the new additions, though it hasn’t took long for those dedicated to the show to track them down.
‘I really wish I hadn’t seen this. There goes my social life,’ said one on Reddit.
‘Hopefully they keep going,’ said another.
A third added: ‘This is great hopefully they show every old ep.’
A beginners guide to Neighbours
There’s some good news if you’re fancying a nostalgic binge watch from the start – it’s instantly familiar as the show that has gone on to become a global phenomenon.
Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) is roaming Ramsay Street, while his mate Shane Ramsay (Peter O’Brien) – who recently returned – lives next door.
Things were a lot simpler in 1985, with just three families creating the drama. There was no Lassiters Complex or hotel, as they didn’t arrive until the following year.
We’re first introduced to Shane’s younger brother Danny (David Clencie), who is suffering intense nightmares about his brother’s diving career, becoming a huge concern for parents Max (Francis Bell) and Maria (Dasha Blahova).
In No. 26, cheeky chappy Paul (yes, there were days before he was a ruthless businessman) lives with dad Jim (Alan Dale), grandmother Helen Daniels (Anne Haddy) and his siblings Julie (Vikki Blanche), Scott (Darius Perkins) and Lucy (Kylie Flinker).
It wouldn’t be until episode 188 that Jason Donovan would take over the role of Scott, making him one of Neighbours’ most iconic characters.
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Despite that, executive producer Jason Herbsion recently ruled out his return in the next finale, following on from his much-hyped reappearance in 2022.
Completing the early days cast is Des Clarke (Paul Keane), who is in for quite the surprise at his stag do when he meets stripper Daphne Lawrence (Elaine Smith).
And that’s when good neighbours become good friends!
Vintage episodes can be watched now on the Neighbours Classics and Neighbours Ramsay St YouTube channels, with new episodes streaming Monday to Thursday from 7am on Amazon Prime Video.
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