'Neighbours' celebrates 25 years.

Did you know?

• ‘Neighbours’ first premiered on the Seven Network on the 18th March 1985.
• Pin Oak Court is the name of the cul-de-sac which doubles as Ramsay Street, and is located in Vermont South, Melbourne.
• Since 1985 there have been six versions of the theme song, originally written by Tony Hatch and his wife Jackie Trent.
• Vivean Gray, who played acid-tongued Mrs Mangel, was forced to leave her role after she received abuse from people who were unable to separate fact from fiction. She is now a recluse.
• ‘Neighbours’ was presented with a Hall of Fame Award at the Logies in 2005.
• Several of the show’s writers have also appeared onscreen, including Alan Hopgood, Louise Le Nay, Chris Milne, Perri Cummings, Shane Porteous and Ian Smith.
• ‘Neighbours’ is the only TV show to have had its entire cast flown to the UK to perform in a Royal Command Performance in front of the Queen.
• Filming locations outside of Australia have included Kenya, the United States and the UK – which has been featured on three separate occasions.
• Erinsborough is a loose anagram of ‘Neighbours’.
• ‘Neighbours’ is the longest running series in Australian television. Worldwide it is beaten only by ‘Coronation Street’.

‘Neighbours’ kicked off its 25th anniversary tonight with the launch of new opening titles, which according to executive producer Susan Bower, features “a bit of bling” — in reference to the milestone anniversary.

“25 is the silver anniversary,” says Bower.

She calls the show “25 years young”, hinting at the big plans she has in store for the show during its 25th anniversary season.

“I’d like to celebrate the future as well as the present,” she says.

“We are planning a ‘family’ party in a couple of weeks to celebrate turning 25. This will be a celebration involving past and present cast and crew and will be featured on the Neighbours website for you all to see.”

The show’s renowned Lassiter’s Complex will undergo a huge makeover, with the village centre being completely upgraded inline with an upcoming storyline.

“The old back lot was bulldozed over Christmas and the new one built in its place. It’s not all that different to the eye, all the favourites are still there but everything is fresher and ‘modernised’,” says Bower.

New sets include a university campus, metropolitan police station and a new terrace cafe. Erinsborough News, Lassiters Hotel and Erinsborough Hospital will all receive new facades as part of the upgrade.

The updated sets will make their first appearance in May/June.

In regards to the show’s upcoming episodes, Bower wouldn’t reveal the specifics of any story lines, but says “We have fantastic stories leading up to the 6000th episode [in August] with a cliff-hanger you won’t believe. The consequences go on for ages.”

A few past ‘Neighbours’ stars will also return as a result, but before you start speculating, “it won’t be Charlene and Scott,” jokes Bower.

Bower does however promise a one-hour TV special which will take a look back at the show’s past and hint at what’s to come in the future.

Ten will screen a special later this year.

Check out the new opening credits below.