With the 2017 finale having aired, we now have to endure to month-long wait until new episodes land on our screens! Luckily, this will be the final Christmas/New Year break that we have to wait through - but what can we expect when Neighbours returns in 2018? Unfortunately, a 2018 preview was not aired at the conclusion of the final episode, like normal, but we did get a a glimpse at bombshell Izzy Hoyland (Natalie Bassingthwatie) making an reappearance in the new year, which was revealed recently. While the promo didn't elude to what drama Izzy will stir up when she returns, we know her presence will cause tensions for power couple Karl and Susan Kennedy (Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne). Could Karl stray from Susan again? And why is Izzy back in Erinsborough? Get excited, because Izzy will return during a 1-hour special in February! Izzy's return also brings the reapperance of Karl and Izzy's daughter Holly (Lucinda Armstrong Hall). With the cliffhanger being Gabe kidnapped by an unknown stranger, we know that the first episode is going to kick-off with a distraught Paige (Olympia Valance) trying to get her son back. Who could be the kidnapper and why? We aren't going to spoil you, but let's just say that this person has already been accused of one crime... However, it's a tense time for Paige, Jack (Andrew Morley) and Mark (Scott McGregor), with tensions continuing to run high even when Gabe is returned safe and sound. Blame will be thrown around and friction dividing a couple of residents. Speaking of Paige, we know that Olympia has officially filmed her final scenes and will be departing Ramsay Street in March/April. While we don't know how she'll be written out of the show, we do know that Olympia requested Paige not be killed off so that she can return in the future. Will Gabe go with her? It's more than likely the youngest Ramsay Street resident will be leaving too... Tyler's (Travis Burns) confessed to the murder of his biological father Hamish (Sean Taylor), but did he really do it? Despite the confession, this story is far from over, with the real killer still roaming free. With all the obvious suspects out of the way, who could the mysterious killer be? You're going to have to think outside the box with this one and watch closely, because we haven't seen the last of them yet. Were you paying attention during the finale? If you were, you would have noticed Madeleine West make a reappearance. But was she Dee or Andrea? The jury's still out on that one as she was credited as making a special appearance, but it seems the writers could finally be taking us down the proper Dee Bliss return route. Either way, Dee/Andrea being back just as Toadie and Sonya (Ryan Moloney and Eve Morey) have renewed their vows isn't going to be good news! With Marriage Equality having passed in the Australian Parliament this week, it means we could see a gay wedding on Neighbours. And it looks somewhat promising! A preview clip, available on TenPlay, for the 2018 premiere, shows David (Takaya Honda), dressed as a Cupid and doing a little dance for Aaron (Matt Wilson) before getting down on one knee and proposing. However, Aaron is a little shocked, to say the least, especially when ex Rory (Ash Williams) appears. He runs off, leaving David confused, as well as Amy (Zoe Crammond) and Leo (Tim Kano), who had helped David prepare for the occasion. Will David & Aaron be okay and get Erinsborough's first gay wedding? Now that Toadie and Sonya have renewed their vows, they should be living in marital bliss once again, right? Well, this new chapter of their marriage is off to a rocky start with their boat-bound honeymoon taking a turn when they realise they've drifted out to open sea. Was it purposeful or accidental? And how long will it take them to return to dry land? This can only mean some classic Toadie comedy. Other than that, we don't officially know too much more about what to expect when the show returns next year. Ryan Thomas will be arriving in February as Rafael Humphreys, while Joel Creasey has also been cast to appear next year as an unconfirmed character. Sheree Murphy will be back as Dakota Davies at some point, while Ross Wilson will be making a cameo in March. And of course, there are more arrivals and departures on the cards, so expect a few changes to the Street's landscape next year. Don't worry, there's a lot more drama coming to Erinsborough next year, and we are certain that you're going to enjoy what the writers have in store for you. So take this month to relax and prepare for the new year, when Neighbours will return and finally air for the whole year, without a break. What are your predictions for 2018? Let us know below! Don't forget to vote in the 3rd annual NeighbAwards! Voting closes Friday, 26 January 2018!
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