Patti Newton reveals she is returning to screens in iconic Aussie show

She’s one of Australia’s favourite TV personalities and entertainment legend Patti Newton will soon be returning to the small screen in a very special role.

The 73-year-old is set to join the cast of Neighbours for the special 8,000th episode of the long-running soap. She’ll be playing Val Grundy who, according to the Neighbours Facebook page, is Ramsay Street’s oldest resident. Fans will get to catch Patti in action when she makes her Neighbours debut on Friday evening.

The likes of Kylie Minogue, Delta Goodrem, Margot Robbie and Alan Dale got their big break on Neighbours, but it turns out Patti won’t be sticking around for long. In fact, she’s going to be killed off on her very first episode.

While she’s never actually appeared on screen in the show’s 33-year history, viewers will discover that Patti’s character has lived on the iconic cul-de-sac for decades. According to UK entertainment website Digital Spy, Val is shy, reclusive and keeps out of the shenanigans that other characters find themselves in on a daily basis.

She will be spotted for the first time saying hello to Toadie Rebecchi (played by Ryan Moloney) and Piper Willis (played by Mavournee Hazel), before dying alone in her home.

Toadie and Piper quickly discover that their quiet neighbour was a hoarder and has collected various pieces of memorabilia over the years relating to her neighbours that have come and gone. As the two characters go through Val’s belongings, viewers will be given the chance to take a walk down memory lane and revisit some of the familiar faces and most memorable storylines from the past three decades.

Patti isn’t the only Australian TV star to appear on Neighbours this year. Studio 10 presenter Denise Drysdale briefly appeared on the soap in October as Nance Slugget, the mother of a criminal who arrived in Erinsborough to collect a $100,000 debt from resident Gary Canning.

Our very own Denise Drysdale is on the set of #Neighbours with a special announcement! #Studio10 pic.twitter.com/PYFOOfML5i

— Studio 10 (@Studio10au) June 27, 2018

Meanwhile, Kath and Kim star Magda Szubanski made her Neighbours debut in September when she officiated the first same-sex wedding on Australian television. Her character Jemima Davies-Smythe turned out to be a multi-millionaire and the long lost sister of Karl Kennedy.

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As for Patti, she’s set to become busier when she and husband Bert welcome their fifth grandchild later this month. The star confirmed earlier this year that her daughter Lauren and son-in-law Matt were due to welcome their fifth child this month. Patti is already a grandma to Monty, Eva, Lola and Sam.

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Lauren explained on Instagram that she was “counting down the days” until the baby arrives.

Neighbours airs on 10 Peach in Australia at 6:30pm weeknights.

Do you watch Neighbours? Are you excited to see Patti on the show?