Several celebrities have made cameos in Australian soap Neighbours over the years, including comedians Russell Brand, Matt Lucas and David Walliams and US star Paula Abdul
Neighbours has hosted a raft of famous faces since it started in 1985.
While it launched the careers of the likes of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce, it has also been a show that established stars like to visit when they are Down Under. In its decades on air, many big names have swung by Ramsay Street for cameos, from singers like Lily Allen to comedians such as Russell Brand.
With the Aussie soap set to end later this year, we have a look back at some of the most memorable guest appearances in Erinsborough.
Russell Brand
Russell Brand dropped by Ramsay Street in 2020, when he was touring Australia. He played himself in a quick cameo that saw him visiting Harold’s café.
He was spotted by Toadie (Ryan Moloney) who recognised him. “You are Russell Brand!” he exclaimed, as the star replied: “Yes, that’s actually who I live in.”
When Toadie asked what he was doing there, he said: “Touring the world, spreading the message – life, love, limitless – wherever I can.”
He added that he’d also heard there was a writing festival in the area. “I thought, ‘Hang on, I am a writer and I enjoy festivity, synchronicity’,” he explained.
“That’s awesome,” Toadie replied, before Russell started quizzing him about the muffin he was eating and whether he was using it to “fill the void”.
Hanson
Hanson made a cameo on the Australian soap in 2019. Band members Taylor, Zac and Isaac played themselves in a scene that saw them perform at the Erinsborough Music Festival.
The American pop rockers sang for superfan Amy Williams (Zoe Cramond) at the café, leaving her joking: “I’m dead!”
“Don’t die, we don’t know CPR or anything,” the band quipped back.
Paula Abdul
Singer and former American Idol judge Paula Abdul appeared on the show in 2014, sharing a drink with Dr Karl Kennedy (Alan Fletcher) at Lassiter’s.
She played herself in the show, and was quoted as joking at the time: “It’s the only thing I can be. I suck at everything else.”
The star had been a fan of Neighbours before her cameo and said it was a “charming” experience being in Ramsay Street herself.
Lily Allen
Lily Allen was touring Down Under when she took time out to film an appearance in Neighbours. The singer was on the road with her album It’s Not You, It’s Me in 2009 when she used the opportunity to shoot a brief cameo.
Her storyline was that she as being interviewed by the character Zeke Kinski (played by actor Matthew Werkmeister) for his radio show.
Lily also gave a performance of her song 22, which she unveiled that year.
Dave Bautista
Wrestler and actor Dave Bautista caused a lot of excitement in 2009 when Toadie and his son Callum (Morgan Baker) spotted him enjoying a coffee in the sunshine outside the café.
Racing over, Callum told Dave he was “the best of the best” and he replied: “I like your style!”
Callum started to trash talk the wrestler, teasing him about his strength and challenging him to wrestle, but both he and Toadie looked taken aback as Dave stood up and displayed his full size.
Smiling, he offered Callum his hand to shake, telling the starstruck pair: “It was nice to meet you.”
Matt Lucas and David Walliams
In 2007, Matt Lucas and David Walliams turned up in Erinsborough as their Little Britain characters Lou and Andy.
The comedians were seen in the Scarlet Bar, as it was known at that time. They didn’t have speaking parts but all eyes were on them anyway as they were spotted in the background during a scene.
A Neighbours spokesperson said at the time that the “cast and crew were delighted” to welcome the stars to the show and that their visit to the set was “relatively kerfuffle free”.
Michael Parkinson
Michael Parkinson was in the soap in 2007, filming with Karl Kennedy and his wife Susan (Jackie Woodburne) in the UK when they visited London.
Paying tribute after the presenter’s death in 2023, Dr Karl star Alan said that meeting and working with him on Neighbours “was a career highlight” for him.
He wrote on social media: “We talked cricket at length while the director tried to shoot the scene. On every level he was a gentle humble person who exuded charm. His work meant so much to so many people myself included.”
Emma Bunton
Spice Girl Emma Bunton had a big role to play when she appeared in Neighbours in 2007.
The singer was also in the London scenes, and was another one of the celebs that Karl and Susan met on their travels in the capital.
Emma – who has said in the past that she’s a huge fan of the series – was there when Karl popped the question to Susan, although he had no idea who she was. She then helped him find the engagement ring after he dropped it, making sure his big romantic gesture wasn’t ruined.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
