Neighbours: Alan Fletcher reveals the ‘most bizarre’ celebrity cameo
Aussie soap Neighbours had its fair share of celebrity cameos during its historic 37-year run.
The likes of Shane Warne, Emma Bunton and even Russell Brand made brief appearances on Ramsay Street over the years.
But for long-time cast member Alan Fletcher, there was one guest role he will always remember as the ‘most interesting’ and ‘bizarre’.
Neighbours star Alan Fletcher (pictured) has revealed the Aussie soap’s ‘most bizarre’ celebrity cameo came courtesy of the late Clive James
Speaking ahead of Thursday’s series finale, the 65-year-old actor told the I’ve Got News for You podcast that having Clive James play a postman was quite surreal.
While most of the celebrities who’ve visited Erinsborough stopped to chat to the cast, the late journalist hardly said a word to anybody.
‘Clive James was one of my most interesting [cameos] because he came as a postie, and he had no interaction at all with any of the cast,’ Fletcher said.
‘He just rode his bike around the court and then disappeared. And I don’t think anybody got to speak to him.
‘He just rode around and rode off! It was the most bizarre thing in the world.’
James, a celebrated Australian writer, critic and broadcaster who spend most of his career in the UK, had a minor credit on Neighbours in 1995.
He died aged 80 in November 2019.
Clive James, a celebrated Australian writer, critic and broadcaster who spend most of his career in the UK, had a guest role as a postman on Neighbours in 1995 (pictured)
Fletcher joined the Channel 10 series in 1994 as Dr Karl Kennedy. His on-screen wife Susan was played by Jackie Woodburne.
In a recent interview with Radio Times, Fletcher and Woodburne reflected on their 28 years together on the show and the lead-up to the finale.
‘Right up until the end of the day, we were suppressing the emotions about the end of the show and just got on with the work,’ he said.
While most of the celebrities who’ve visited Erinsborough stopped to chat to the cast, the late journalist (left) hardly said a word to anybody, said Fletcher
‘We had a lot to get through and some very big scenes, and it was obviously important that we finished on time. Being extremely focused was the thing that got us through.’
As well as losing their jobs they have loved for so long, Fletcher and Woodburne are also faced with the end of their working relationship.
Fletcher spoke of how much he will miss his work wife as she ‘made every day a joy’.
Fletcher joined the Channel 10 series in 1994 as Dr Karl Kennedy. His on-screen wife Susan was played by Jackie Woodburne (pictured together)
Woodburne, 66, said bidding goodbye to Susan was ‘heartbreaking’ after playing the character for so many years, adding: ‘I’ve lived with her for so long and been through so much with her.
‘I feel like I’ve been her guardian and while she’s been living her life, I’ve kept watch.
‘I’ve tried to keep her authentic, made tweaks to her character to keep her within the parameters of what the audience wanted her to be and what was truthful.
‘And now I really miss her.’
As well as losing their jobs they have loved for so long, Fletcher and Woodburne are also faced with the end of their working relationship (pictured in the ’90s)
In what is set to be a gripping and emotional finale, fan favourites from the past will be returning to Ramsay Street to celebrate with Erinsborough locals.
The send-off promises to have something for everyone, spanning all generations and decades from the opening scene in 1985 to the final episode in 2022.
The Neighbours finale will air Thursday, July 28, at 7.30pm on Channel 10 and 10Peach in Australia
Source: | Dailymail.co.uk