With the last ever episode of Neighbours upon us one of the longest running characters and biggest names on the show through the years was undoubtedly Susan Kennedy.
The Kennedy family matriarch made her way onto our screens back in October 1994 with actress Jackie Woodburne bringing her to life perfectly as she embarked upon her lengthy soap career.
Jackie has been a household name down under for decades thanks to her gripping storylines as she raised her young family in Erinsborough.
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Now with her exit confirmed as we wave goodbye to the residents of Ramsay Street we take a look at her life as an Australian icon.
Home and Away snub
(Image: Grundy/Pearson TV)
While she became best known as kind-hearted mum Susan, things could have been very different for Jackie as she originally tried out for the role of Pippa Ross on rival soap Home And Away.
Luckily for fans of Neighbours her efforts didn’t work out when in 1990 the original star who played Pippa quit the show leaving producers searching for a replacement.
Several rounds of auditions got underway with Jackie making the final two alongside rival Debra Lawrance.
(Image: Channel 5)
Debra previously said of the process: “We were, and still are, very dear friends. She and I were short-listed together and after our call back audition we caught up for coffee. We both genuinely agreed that we didn’t mind if the other got it.”
Ultimately Debra was deemed the best person for the job, moving from Melbourne to Sydney to commence her life in Summer Bay, with Jackie waiting a few more years for her big break on Neighbours.
Co-star bond
(Image: Fremantle Media/REX/Shutterstock)
While it hasn’t been an easy ride on screen for Susan and husband Karl Kennedy, behind the scenes Jackie and Alan Fletcher have a close bond that has seen them through 28 years as a married couple on the soap.
Despite Karl’s numerous affairs and a tumultuous relationship at times the iconic pairing have made their way into viewers hearts over a series of hard-hitting storylines including her amnesia and Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis.
The acting duo previously talked about their strong bond when they celebrated their 25th anniversary of working together.
(Image: Fremantle/Channel 5)
Jackie said: “I think there are people, or someone, in your life and you just get them and they get you and it’s a profound connection – it’s a warts and all thing.”
Alan added: “They both make mistakes, too. Karl’s made mistakes, Susan’s made mistakes, but they look at each other and say, ‘I can’t not love you’. So they pick and up and get on with it.”
Emotional ‘exit’
(Image: PA)
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With the end finally upon us Susan and Karl have been shocked to learn that all the residents of Ramsay Street they know and love appear to be heading for pastures new leaving them with the ultimate dilemma about their own future.
The pair were seen feeling horrified and shocked as they discovered the mass exodus that will see the Robinsons moving to New York, Terese Willis moving to River Bend, Toadie Rebecchi selling up to move on and the Rodwells also departing.
With the final episode hitting screens on Friday (July 29) it seems that the Kennedy’s could decide it’s time to move on too and bid their beloved home farewell as viewers watch on with emotions set to run high.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
