Donovan asked to return to Neighbours

Singer and actor Jason Donovan has revealed he was asked back to Aussie soap Neighbours to be part of the soap’s 25th anniversary next year.

Jason Donovan has revealed that Neighbours bosses offered him the chance to return to the popular Australian soap. The return would have been tied into the soaps 25th anniversary next year. Donovan starred in Neighbours as Scott Robinson during its early days in the 1980s and it was the launch-pad for his career. His character of Scott was paired up with Charlene, played by Kylie Minogue, and their romance was a hugely popular storyline for the soap. Since then bosses have continually tried to recreate the success and audience interest the Scott/Charlene romance generated.

“They have asked me to come back and be part of the celebrations. But I can’t – I’m working – which is a shame.” – Jason Donovan talking to PA

The actor also revealed bosses at Neighbours have invited him back before. Next year will mark the 25th anniversary of the soap. Once hugely popular the soap has struggled in the past five years to hold onto ratings in its native country and has undergone several revamps.

Here in the UK the soap moved homes from BBC One to Five after over twenty years at the corporation. Five won a bidding war for the soap against the BBC and ITV. Five previously won a bidding war against ITV for Neighbours traditional rival, Home and Away – which continues to air on Five alongside Neighbours.