Neighbours: the finale – as it happened

An absolute treat.

It’s all over and the tears are flowing but that was so beautiful. Stepping back in time like that .

And thank you so much for reading tonight’s liveblog. It’s been a bit of a hard week, so chatting with you all about Neighbours has been a real tonic.

Have a good Friday night.

“Thank you for loving us. We love you!” says the closing titles.

That was a touching finale. The plot was a bit surreal and, at times, felt bonkers. But when you think about it, that IS Neighbours. Wouldn’t have had it any other way.

All the main characters are there hugging and laughing (including Kylie and Jason on their balcony). A balloon explodes full of CGI confetti for some reason. A nice way to bow out, I think.

The closing titles are all the theme tunes from the past 37 years blended into one. They sound fine individually, but mixed together it sounds quite horrible.

The sound mixer really tried, though. Give them the wine.

“I think you have to acknowledge everything, celebrate it all,” says Susan. “The good, the bad, because all of that makes us all we are. Everyone deserves a place in the history of Ramsay Street. Even those who have watched us from afar.”

“Together, we have been the perfect blend.”

Congratulations to everyone who said the final words would include the lyrics from the theme tune!

A nice nod to how well the soap has been supported in the UK over the years.

Cue millions of viewers now collectively making angry gestures at Channel 5.

Nope, not emotional. Not a mess. I’m fine. I’m absolutely fine. I don’t know what you’re thinking. Let’s not make accusations. Stop it. How dare you.

Plain Jane Superbrain, Mike, Scott and Charlene are all embracing each other. This is a lovely moment for those people who watched them all together in the 1980s.

It now appears some of the key characters are buying up these properties! A lovely twist. Mike and Plain Jane Superbrain are moving in.

And now Susan is walking round Ramsay Street talking about the ridiculous amount of romances (half the street are currently making out in a tent?!), affairs and tragedies over the years. Also Kylie and Jason’s schedule clearly did not match everyone else’s, as we see scenes of them cackling from a nearby balcony.

After Susan mentions the characters who have died, we see a dream sequence consisting of them mingling with others at the party.

AND MADGE IS THERE.

MADGE.

Who has silenced Charlene? Is she being paid by the word? What’s going on?!

Plain Jane Superbrain, Mike, Scott and Charlene are all embracing each other. This is a lovely moment for those people who watched them all together in the 1980s.

It now appears some of the key characters are buying up these properties! A lovely twist. Mike and Plain Jane Superbrain are moving in.

Closure is painful.

I CANNOT BELIEVE SCOTT AND CHARLENE HAVE SPENT ALL THIS TIME IN COFF’S BLOODY HARBOUR.

COFF’S HARBOUR.

That would be like Skegness here. God.

At least she mentions the ‘shrugalero,’ the fashion item her character Donna invented. It is a scarf you wear around your shoulders. Criminal she isn’t wearing it.

The full list of people who appeared in that montage, by the way, were Beth (Natalie Imbruglia), Flick (Holly Valance), Steph (Carla Bonner), Stu (Blair McDonough), Tad (Jonathan Dutton), Joe Mangel (Mark Little), Lance (Andrew Bibby), Nina (Delta Goodrem), Billy Kennedy (Jesse Spencer) and Joe Mangel (Mark Little).

Congratulations if you didn’t go “WHO?” during some of that montage.

I had to ask who some of them were and I’m such a fan I’m actually writing a liveblog.

“Some of our old Neighbours who cannot be here are sending messages,” says Karl, completely failing at pretending these tribute videos are for a wedding celebration and not the soap ending.

This montage includes a hello from Margot Robbie, who appears to be desperately covering the fact that she is recording hers between interviews at a film junket.

There’s a lot of storylines that have been running for months which are clearly being wrapped up in a hurry, to provide closure for the soap’s more regular viewers. Paul is talking about his Lassiter’s contract, while another character is talking about his vineyard. I have absolutely no idea what is going on – and I am living for it.

Fun fact. I’m named after Scott from Neighbours. When I was born, my Mum asked my sisters what I should be called. My eldest sister was obsessed with their relationship and suggested Scott. The name stuck (my Mum denies this, saying she has always liked the name Scott).

I’m not the only one who has done this, clearly.

SCOTT AND CHARLENE ARE HERE EVERYONE!

“Home Sweet Home” says Charlene (AKA Kylie) as they arrive.

Brilliant that Kylie is wearing her overalls, as if her character has spent the past four decades living like she is still in the 1980s.

Everyone at the wedding has been given a piece of paper and asked to write one word about what love means to them. They are now having to read their word out in front of everyone else. This is like a team-building exercise. I cannot think of anything worse.

I would have just written “sandwiches” to confuse everybody.