With thanks to Russ seeing this early potential, Charlene long outlasted her initial contract and would depart 362 episodes later. Jason Donovan (left) originally auditioned in 1984, but joined the cast over a year later. From there she worked extensively in theatre, travelled, worked in television in New Zealand, before returning to home turf to work on Prisoner: Cell Block H and later Neighbours. And, like Minogue, Donovan, Pearce, Dale, Dennis, singers Natalie Imbruglia and Delta Goodrem, the Hemsworth brothers and Russell Crowe, she has Jan Russ to thank. Classic episodes of Neighbours air weekdays at 2pm on U&Drama, or can be streamed anytime on U and Channel 4 streaming.