Neighbours: The Celebration Tour

It’s fair to say that 2023 is turning out to be a very exciting year for Neighbours fans, and I am here for it!

Last year after the shock announcement that Channel 5 was axing Neighbours, one of the channel’s most-watched and popular shows; it ended on a high.

But we got an early Christmas present as it was announced that the show is returning to our screens, on Amazon Freevee with brand new episodes arriving at the end of 2023.

Until then, we have been gifted with 50 iconic episodes and all of 2012 episodes, with additional past episodes being added throughout the year.

And of course, The Celebration Tour has had as many reinventions as the show has.

Originally planned as a 1 date “Live in Conversation” event to celebrate the show’s 35th anniversary, but alas Covid came along and scuppered that!

When the show was cancelled, it became The Farewell Tour. A big and better tour with eight events planned throughout the UK.

Demand exceeded expectations and it soon became a 15-date tour. But alas, there was a final makeover. You can’t have a Farewell Tour when the show was coming back, could you?

So like Barry Crocker’s iconic theme tune, it had a small tweak. The tour was rebranded as a Celebration tour…and a celebration is what it was!

Meet & Greet

Initially, when trying to purchase a meet and greet ticket they were all gone, and I was feeling the emotions. However, I checked back an hour or two later, and there was one just sitting there waving at me. It must’ve been a sign.

So I quickly purchased the ticket, and celebrated like I won a Ramsay Street cricket match!

Then it clicked – Fuck! I am going to meet the cast…on my own! How am I going to cope?

An hour before the M&G, my anxiety levels went up a gear. How the heck am I going to do this?

As I was walking to the venue, I bumped into Neighbours fandom royalty, one of the Bens from NeighBens. So this made the queuing a lot less nervous. Granted it didn’t stop us from going “Oh my gawd!” every two minutes.

The queue flowed quickly, and the staff (both for the event and Bridgewater) were really nice and friendly.

Then there I was, waiting my turn. I could feel my cheeks heating up and my pits getting wetter. I was a nervous wreck!

Someone from the tour takes your phone and snaps away taking loads of candid photos as well as posed ones.

April, Stefan & Annie

As I crept around the corner I was greeted by April Rose Pengilly (Chloe Brennan) who looked so radiant. The first thing I said, which I overused throughout the whole meet and greet, was “This is surreal”.

One by one they introduced themselves. They introduced themselves to me! And I’m thinking “You’re telling me your names. I know who you are!”

“I’m so nervous. This is so surreal”

Annie Jones (Yes, the Plain Jane Superbrain) said humbly “We’re just people”. Yeah, you are, but here I am standing in front of people I have watched for 37 years!

I wanted to ask loads of questions. I wanted to have a laugh and joke with them, but I panicked and splurted about something surreal that I started watching from the beginning, and got into the show while off sick from school.

Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson) then told the story of how his wife used to run home from school to watch him on the show.

I so wanted to ask them to sign the t-shirt I was wearing. I had the Sharpie in my pocket and everything. I had just redecorated the office and it would look fantastic framed on the wall

But I chickened out. I never asked, and my tee shirt was never graffitied!

Alan, Ryan & Jackie

It was then time for me to go to the next stand, where Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy) came over, hand out, asked my name and thanked me for coming.

He took my signed poster and added ‘Cheers Mike’ at the top. A nice touch to add.

I was then introduced to Ryan Maloney (Toadie Rebecchi) and the Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy).

“OMG, this is so surreal”

I didn’t know what to say, I clammed up. Again, all thought went away. I regurgitated the same thing I said at the other stand. I’ve been watching from the beginning, and remember all three when they arrived on the show. So it’s surreal being here in front of them.

Alan thanked me for my support. As did the others. Ah, you’re welcome!

We spoke about my t-shirt (and my phone’s pop socket). They had not seen this tee before (erm, it’s official merch from Amazon), and Jackie admired the minimalist of it as it didn’t detract from my tattoos.

We’re talking about this tee, that I explicitly bought to get written all over like it was my last day at school. I had the opportunity to ask…and I didn’t. FML!

As it came to an end, I picked up my Ramsay Street sign was handed back my phone where I admired the photos and the two videos where I did the awkward stories.

Now it was time to raid the merch stand, before heading back to the office for a quick costume change!

The Show

“I didn’t know there were so many diehard fans.” somebody said to me while in the queue for the bar. Manchester’s second tour date was another sell-out!

The vibe was magical. I had been chatting with a number of other fans on the socials. So I decided to gatecrash their table and catch up with them. I was welcomed with open arms, and we spent the next hour or so chatting about Neighbours, past and future.

When it was time for the performance, I took my seat. I didn’t know who I was sitting with, but we ended up talking anyway. The air of excitement and anticipation could be felt throughout.

That’s something that I noticed throughout the night, was the fans. Everyone was so friendly. We knew that the revival of Neighbours was down to the fans. It was people like us, that saved the show.

The host

I can’t write this without mentioning fellow fan and the host, Leah Boleto.

Leah took her responsibility seriously, but at the same time, it was like she was just sitting down and having a good old natter with some mates.

Presenting these shows had to be someone with knowledge and passion, and Leah gave that from the moment she stood on that stage.

Plus, I am not at all jealous that she was lunching with the cast, and neither is her husband (another fan of the show)…honest

The show

The first half of the show was a one-on-one interview with each of the cast members, where they reminisce about their characters and what they’ve been up to on the show.

The second half was a group chat and Q&A with questions from the audience.

It’s clear, that every actor loves their role, each other and the show. But more importantly, they loved the fans and their dedication.

It was acknowledged and thanked that Neighbours was saved because of the fan’s campaign. That is showing social media at its best.

And yes, they addressed some of the batshit crazy storylines like Susan Kennedy slipping on the milk and getting amnesia. And while this seemed so bizarre, we found out that it was actually based on a real-life event that happened in the UK. Go figure!

It’s also been decided, by April, that a Chlojito is just cough syrup. Add the vodka and I am there with you!

I don’t want to give away too many spoilers, and to be fair there were some spoilers the cast wasn’t giving away either.

However, there was something that appeared just before the interval that gave me the inclination that another character was returning. I am not saying here, but there will be a spoiler section at the end for those that want to know my prediction.

As the show ended we were treated to a performance from the cast (again check the spoiler), which summed up the whole night.

It’s fair to say that this Celebration Tour lived up to its name. It was all about the past, present and future. It knew when to take itself seriously and when not to. It was about celebrating the show, but also the viewers.

We felt like a community. We respected each other. We came with the desire and love for the same thing. Neighbours.

Whether Neighbours has another 2 years or 10, it is clear it has made a lasting impression on the viewers, the actors and all involved.

Thank you to all who made this a night to remember!