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Madggie1986

Anne Charleston as Madge in 1986.

Anne Charleston is an Australian actress who played Madge Bishop in Neighbours from 1986 to 1992, 1996 to 2001 and as a vision in 2015 and 2022.

Pre Neighbours career[]

Anne Charleston was born on the 30th December 1942 in Melbourne, Australia. She is of Irish heritage. Her grandparents were Irish immigrants. Her first known TV role was in 1961 as Louise in Night Of The Ding Dong. Anne had TV roles in Prisoner: Cell Block H and Number 96 then Possession in 1985.

Neighbours[]

In late 1985, Anne was cast as Madge Mitchell in Neighbours. Her first scenes aired in January 1986 in Episode 171 - 20 January 1986. Anne became a major character for the next seven years, with the show reaching stratospheric heights of popularity. Her character's chalk n cheese relationship with Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) proved a real highlight for many viewers. In 1992, Anne quit Neighbours and her final scenes aired in November that year.

Anne had no known major TV roles during her four year break from Neighbours, instead concentrating on theatre productions and pantomimes. She emigrated to Galway, Ireland, where her ancestors had originated from.

In 1996, Anne was persuaded to return to Neighbours. The BBC were instrumental in asking the production team for both Madge and Harold to return to the show as they felt their popularity would bring back viewers who had left the show during an era dominated by waifs and strays. Anne remained in Neighbours until November 2000 when she filmed her death scenes. Anne bemoaned the fact that Madge had been watered down in later years, becoming more of a meek and passive character. Madge was killed off, with her final episode broadcast in April 2001 in Australia.

After Neighbours[]

Anne returned to her cottage in Ireland after leaving Neighbours in 2001. She relaunched her career in the UK and Ireland by doing pantomime, theatre, as well as notable roles in Caroline Aherne comedy Dossa and Joe and a relaunch of Crossroads. In 2006 she joined the cast of Emmerdale [1]as Lily Butterfield and became a regular cast member the following year. She quit the role in 2009. In November 2013, Anne returned to live in Australia to be with her family and reprised the role of Madge (albeit a vision of Harold's) for Neighbours' 30th anniversary. These scenes were filmed in late 2014 and broadcast in March 2015. In June 2022, Anne returned to Neighbours for a final time where she filmed a cameo as Madge in the final episode (Episode 8903 - 29 July 2022). This was another vision of the character, this time from the eyes of Susan Kennedy.

Refs[]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anne_Charleston

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0153188/

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