Real life Ramsay Street resident reveals Neighbours secrets
As the beloved Aussie soap Neighbours is being revived, a man who lives on the famous cul-de-sac has given some insight into the filming process.
Miles Shackley has revealed what it’s really like to live at the 5 Pin Oak Court, Vermont South, Melbourne address, known by fans as Dr Karl and Susan Kennedy’s house on fictional Ramsay Street.
Mr Shackley spoke on news.com.au's podcast I’ve Got News For You; originally from the UK, he purchased the house in 2020, right before the pandemic hit, with his partner Hayley Jones, who just so happens to be a massive Neighbours fan.
While the pair knew the fictional street would be no less than a tourist hotspot, they were shocked by just how many fans go out of their way to stop by to snap some pictures.
“We still do get a fairly steady stream of people who just come along,” he told podcast host Andrew Bucklow. “I mean, there were official tours, but during the week, you get the occasional people who come and pose with the Ramsay Street signs and stuff.
“But in general, it’s a public road, so people can just come along anyway. And that’s typically what we see happening, really, is just people coming along and take a few photos and that kind of thing. So it’s nice. It’s good that it still maintains that level of interest.”
Mr Shakley was informed by previous residents that experienced fans knocking on their door, but it was generally more difficult for them to do so during the later seasons of the show as a security company patrolled and closed off the street during production.
He also explained that only exterior scenes were shot on his street, any interior shots were filmed at a studio nearby. During filming, which spans anywhere from two to six hours, once or twice a week, he said he and his partner are asked to stay inside while the crew film on the property.
Mr Shackley did not comment on reports that residents were paid somewhere between $33,000 to $50,000 a year by the production company to film on their property, but he did say it wasn’t an inconvenience.
"You could be at home, that was no problem at all. But they typically ask us to remove our cars,” he explained. “I just often park it around the corner for them the previous night. But there’s no real impact, really – they just sort of let us know when they are filming and basically asked us not to come out the front door in the middle of a shot.”
He also said that his partner thought it would be funny to volunteer him as an extra during contract renegotiations with Fremantle.
“You’re speaking to sort the rules and regulations and what we’re meant to do and what we’re not. And [Fremantle] said, ‘Any questions?’ and my partner said, ‘Yes, commodity and extra fees.’ So she volunteered me,” he said, which resulted in his hands appearing on two episodes of the soap.
Living right in the middle of the show’s action has always been a novelty for the couple, which almost came to an end in 2022 as UK broadcaster Channel 5 did not renew the show's contract. This meant that after 37 years of filming and 8.903 episodes, the show was set to end.
“We were disappointed. Not for the show, but it was more just for the crew and the cast,” Mr Shackley said. “Obviously it was sad that the show was coming to an end. We were just kind of sad for them – and we knew we’d miss the sort of activity outside.”
Only three months after what was supposed to be the finale, Amazon Freevee signed a deal with Fremantle to revive the treasured show.
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