Neighbours Robinson family stars now – drug addiction, tragic death and epic soap return

Neighbours fans are into the final few weeks of the show as it draws to a close after an impressive 37 years on our screens.

The iconic family drama based in the Australian suburbs on Ramsay Street has seen hundreds of characters come and go through the years keeping fans hooked over generations.

One key family throughout the course of the soap has been the Robinsons, who were the main focus of the show when it kicked off in 1985.

Following the news that Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan will reprise their roles as as Charlene Mitchell and Scott Robinson, Daily Star take a look at where the most iconic members of the Robinson family are now.

Jim

The iconic head of the Robinson clan Jim was the original Ramsay Street dad and an original cast member from the very first episode in 1985.

Actor Alan Dale departed the role in 1993 after he fell out with show producers over pay rates for the cast.

Since then he has landed countless big-name roles in America including in The OC, Ugly Betty, Lost, Star Trek: Nemesis, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

In 2007 Amazon named Alan as the Neighbours cast member they had sold the most DVDs of films and television shows featuring.

Paul

Jim’s son Paul rapidly became the head of the family as the years wore on with actor Stefan Dennis the only original cast member who is still starring in the show.

His original was run from 1985 to 2003 but he swiftly returned to the show in 2004 and has been on Ramsay Street ever since.

Stefan called his hiatus “a mistake” as he departed the show to pursue other jobs before eventually finding his way back.

In his time away he starred in Glasgow based soap River City in the UK.

Scott

One of the most globally recognised faces ever to hail from down under Jason Donovan found his fame as fresh-faced Scott Robinson on the soap.

His stint co-starring with Kylie Minogue in the soap progressed him to worldwide fame as he made the most of the hype around their on-screen romance as Scott and Charlene.

Jason carved out a successful career in pop music bagging himself four UK No1 singles, as well as appearing in iconic theatre productions such as Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

Despite his success, Jason has faced his own hardships in life including battling drug addiction.

The actor believed his problems with cocaine use started when he made the decision to sue The Face magazine when they printed an article incorrectly claiming he was gay.

While he won the case being paid £200,000 in damages, the publicity around it created a backlash from those who felt it was homophobic.

Having turned to drugs and with his habit progressively worsening, the actor found himself suffering a seizure as a result of an overdose of cocaine at Kate Moss’ 21st birthday party in LA’s Viper Room Nightclub which was partly owned by Johnny Depp at the time.

In 1999 Jason admitted he was still using cocaine saying: “I still have a joint and I still take coke, but not as much as I did two years ago.”

However, in 2011 the dad of three admitted that he had finally kicked the habit for good and become drug-free in 2000 when his first child was born.

Jason is now set to reprise his role as Scott Robinson alongside Kylie’s Charlene as they help the soap bid farewell to its legions of fans.

Helen

Known as Helen Daniels the Robinson family grandma stepped in to help her son in law Jim raise his family when her daughter died.

Actress Anne Haddy was a series regular for 12 years from the launch of the show until 1997 when Helen passed away.

Anne sadly passed away just 2 years later in 1999 at the age of 68 from a kidney-related illness.

Lucy

Another original character lucy was a member of the original lineup from episode one in 1985.

Most recently portrayed by Melissa Bell she was also brought to life by actresses Kylie Flinker and Sasha Close in the ’80s.

Melissa has been Lucy for some 31 years now making regular appearances since 1991.

In her time away from the show she is a fashion designer making and selling kaftans and party wear from a boutique in Double Bay.

Glen

First appearing in 1990 Glen Donnelly is Jim’s secret son who came to Erinsborough to ask his dad to help him pay for his mother’s funeral when she passed away unexpectedly.

He became a hot topic when he got inappropriately involved in a relationship with his half-sister Lucy in scenes that were cut from the show when it aired in the UK.

He originally appeared for two years between 1990-1992 before reprising the role in 2021.

Outside of the show he has enjoyed moderate success as an actor in shows such as Blue Heelers, Out Of The Blue and rival show Home And Away.

David and Leo

David arrived in Erinsborough alongside his twin brother Leo as they tried to track down their biological father who eventually turned out to be none other than Paul Robinson.

Actor Takaya Honda joined the cast in 2016 alongside Tim Kano who plays Leo and the pair have been series regulars on the show ever since they joined.

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk