Neighbours brings back Ramsay Street LEGEND from the dead - and here's how it was done

Susan's the talk of Ramsay Street

Christmas on Ramsay Street was far from quiet this year as a face from the past returned to Erinsborough after 25 years away...

For the first time ever Neighbours was aired over Christmas this year, delighting fans of the soap both here and in Australia.

And while the festive episode on Christmas Day was everything viewers had hoped it would be, there was one major thing that everyone was tuning in for - the highly anticipated return of Jim Robinson.

The legendary Ramsay Street character was last seen on the soap 25 years ago when he met his maker after suffering a fatal heart attack - but fans have claimed his return was well worth the wait.

There has been plenty of speculation about how the show would bring the dead character back ever since it was revealed actor Alan Dale has reprised his role for a one-off episode, and fans couldn't have been happier when he appeared as a figment of Paul's imagination - in a Christmas bauble!

Jim was back to see his son Paul in a moment of desperation after new character Delaney Renshaw told him that he was responsible for the death of his nemesis Mannix Foster.

But as Paul was forced to head to the location that Delaney said Mannix's body was buried, disaster struck when he lost control of the car and hit his head as he crashed off the road.

When he regained consciousness, Paul saw visions of his late father in a Christmas bauble hanging in the car - but it wasn't to be a happy reunion.

Gregory Pace/REX/Shutterstock — Alan Dale's long awaited return to Neighbours didn't disappoint!

Jim set about telling his son that he needed to change his ways if he wanted to keep his children close by... ending his life-affirming speech by telling Paul that it was never too late to be the man he wants to be.

But as Paul continued to the location where Delaney told Paul the shallow grave was in, he was horrified to start digging, only to discover a corpse's foot. But is Paul really a murderer twice over?

And will Jim's chat be enough to make for Paul change his ways?

Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5

Picture credits: Channel 5, Alan Dale image: Gregory Pace/REX/Shutterstock

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia.

After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off.

She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz!

As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.