02 January 2024 , 11:14
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Jason Donovan has revealed how he believes Neighbours owes him just as much as he does the soap.
The actor, who played Scott Robinson on the programme from 1986 to 1989, has thanked the soap for giving him a "fantastic life" but pointed out how it was possibly mutually beneficial.
Jason reprised his role and returned to Ramsay Street alongside former co-star Kylie Minogue for an hour-long special that marked the end of 37 years on our screens in July 2022, only for the soap to be rebooted on Amazon Freevee last year.
From 1986 to 1988, Kylie played Charlene Robinson and an amazing 19.8 million UK viewers tuned in when Charlene and Scott tied the knot in November 1988 - one of the most iconic soap weddings of all time.
Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan became household names thanks to Neighbours (Getty Images)
The two stars return for the soap's supposed finale in 2022 (Instagram/ @kylieminogue)Playing Charlene and Scott propelled Jason and Kylie's respective careers to new heights, with the pair even enjoying musical success with their duet Especially For You, released at the peak of Neighbours mania. "It’s given me a fantastic life. I will forever be in debt to that moment. But I put a lot of work into it. It owes me a little bit too," Jason admits when chatting with the Mirror recently.
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"To be part of that show that was so important to so many people, it felt the right thing to do – to pay respect to what it did to our careers," Jason went on to tell the Mirror when discussing his cameo in Neighbours 2022 "finale".
"It was a great day but it probably meant a lot more to the viewers than it does to us because so much time has passed. Kylie and myself were in it four or five years but Neighbours went for 36. A lot of other people were involved. We all have a lot of love and respect for each other and are very grateful for what we had," Jason adds. "But a lot of stuff has happened in my life that is more important than just Neighbours."
As Kylie and Jason reprised their roles of Charlene and Scott during Neighbours' TV farewell in 2022, their duet 'Especially for You' played on the radio as the two character commented on the numerous 'for sale' signs around in Ramsay Street as they pulled up.
Declaring they're home, Scott sweetly kissed Charlene on the head. "Wow wow wow," Scott said as they stepped out of the car, "This is crazy. We made it eh?" Charlene then declared: "Home sweet home." The only other word Kylie spoke as Charlene during the cameo was when she exclaimed "Harold!" upon seeing fan favourite Harold Bishop.
The lack of chat from Kylie during the special guest appearance prompted Neighbours boss Jason Herbison respond to fan theories about Kylie's quiet cameo, which included speculation she was paid per word! Jason revealed that Kylie's limited dialogue was due to her and co-star Jason planning only a "small appearance" on the show.
"They didn't want to overshadow the current cast or make the finale about them. We also filmed their scenes before I'd written the episode, so whatever we filmed had to fit in with that," Jason explained to TV Tonight. "I hate to see Kylie copping any criticism she was nothing short of amazing on the day."