Neighbours fans will be in ‘floods of tears’ at show’s nostalgic finale reveals soap legend Alan Fletcher | The Sun
NEIGHBOURS legend Alan Fletcher is expecting UK households to be awash with tears when the final ever episode is broadcast later this month.
One of Erinsborough's most famous faces, Alan – who has played Dr Karl Kennedy in the Australian soap for 28 years – believes the ending will satisfy viewers.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun, he said: "The storyliners and the script writer and the executive producer really wanted to focus on celebrating the show at the end, that was the big thing.
"There's going to be a few little shocks and twists in there – it wouldn't be Neighbours without them – but I feel the audience will celebrate the end of the show with us when they watch it. And I won't be surprised at all if there's quite a few lounge rooms all over the UK where tears are being shed come 9.30pm July 29."
An array of popular characters from the show's past will return in some shape or form for the emotional goodbye.
None are more hotly anticipated than Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, the 80s sweethearts who will reunite on Ramsay Street for the first time in more than 30 years.
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The first pictures of them in character were released earlier today, showing them grinning, hugging and hinting at a happily ever after.
Alan hopes the combination of current and old faces will encourage past fans who have drifted away from the soap to return for one final time.
"I hope everyone watches, particularly those people who might not have watched Neighbours for a few years," he said. "I'd love them to come back and watch the end. There'll be so much nostalgic stuff in there for them to enjoy."
Reflecting on his near three decades as a show staple, Alan has no regrets nor is there anything he'd change.
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He's thankful to his ever-changing character and the writers for keeping his storylines fresh and engaging over the years.
"People say how can you play the same character for 28 years and I say to them 'I haven't' – the character has chopped and changed and developed, and to do it in conjunction with Jackie [Woodburne, Susan Kennedy] it means we've had this wonderful journey of playing characters that evolve so much."
There have been affairs, run-ins with the law, medical scandals and comedy capers.
And it was a moment of classic soap silliness that Alan remembers most fondly from his highlights reel.
He said: "Episode 7,000 of Neighbours, I loved it. I lost a scratchy ticket worth $7,000. I had to nude up completely in Toadie's house where I found my scratchy stuck to Toadie's backside. It was absurd and joyous.
"I found out two weeks before when the script came out. I thought it is what it is, if I'm a bit tubby that's the way it goes."
And stripping off was no bother for Alan, who matter-of-factly said: "I've done it a few times, to be honest with ya. Right back to the days we did the Full Monty, Susan and Karl have been caught nude twice, a nude photoshoot for the men of Erinsborough calendar… it's all very tame."
The global pull of Neighbours is undeniable, with stars such as Guy Pearce and Margot Robbie making it in Hollywood.
While landing a coveted cameo is a badge of honour for many of our best-loved stars.
When it comes to rubbing shoulders with the myriad of British talent that has graced the show, Alan has picked out his favourites.
He said: "I worked with Michael Parkinson, we stood by the Thames talking cricket for 15 minutes. Julian Clary was brilliant,Clive James played a postie, he rode round Ramsay Street on his own on his bike, it was the funniest thing I've seen.
"I think my favourite was Lily Allen. She came on and did a song in the Erinsborough radio station. She was required to film very early in the morning. She'd just done a show the night before. Professional she is, she put in a great performance and sang beautifully live."
Some would be terrified by the prospect of job uncertainty after spending three decades in a secure and familiar role.
But busy Alan has plenty in the pipeline, with his agent working hard to line up comedy roles.
Alan said: "I've got to wear the off the Karl image a little bit. It might take a couple of years before I re-establish myself as an actor but there's plenty of opportunities for me."
He's also thrown himself into music over the last couple of years and will soon release an album of Americana.
It has been preceded by a five-track EP called Dispatches that features a delightful duet with former Neighbours actress Alyce Platt.
The music is going down a storm, with two intimate shows in Balham and Camden last week proving a perfect backdrop for the poetic tracks.
Alan, who previously released music with rock band The Waiting Room, began his Americana odyssey at the Tamworth music Festival in 2019 after meeting producers Lachlan Bryan and Damien Cafarella.
Describing it as a 'happy accident' , Alan was invited to write and record with the pair in the studio, and they've not looked back.
He said: "The people I look up to the most are my producers, Lachlan Bryan – he's one of Australia's most eminent Americana artists with is band the Wilds, and Damien Cafarella my other producer plays with The Wilds.
"Their songwriting is so immaculate that I really trust so much of what they do."
And he's not short of inspiration from US greats either.
He continued: "Country music is a very broad church so people like Justin Townes Earle and Jason Isbell.
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"I'm a huge fan of Willie Nelson too. I love folk too Loudon Wainwright III, people who wite with a comic edge. One of my favourtie artists of all time is Elvis Costello, hes writen some beautiful country music."
Once the dust has settled and the tears have dried following the Neighbours finale, Alan is hoping to make it back to the UK in September for some more gigs. Go see him.
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