Viewers have gotten a sneak peek at Joe Mangel’s (Mark Little) upcoming comeback in Neighbours, which will take place 17 years after his last appearance.
In Friday’s (15 July) episode of the Channel 5 soap opera, Joe will make a special return via video call as Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) contacts him to clarify his theories regarding Melanie Pearson (Lucinda Cowen).
Due to Melanie’s prior marriage to Joe, Harold, who recently moved back to Erinsborough, has serious reservations about her getting married to longtime friend Toadie (Ryan Moloney).
In the outing on Thursday, July 14, the former cafe owner explained that his son-in-law Joe had previously informed him that Melanie’s departure devastated his grandchildren Toby and Sky, and as a result, he is worried that she will do the same to Nell and Hugo.
Harold’s problems with Melanie horrified Toadie, who even gave him the order to leave the couple’s engagement party!
As a result, Harold is determined to make up for his errors and contacts Joe in the upcoming episode to learn the truth about his and Melanie’s breakup.
The disputed scenes were hinted at in the “Coming Up” segment that concluded Thursday’s episode, in which Harold accepts a video call from Joe in the hopes that he can shed some light on the situation.
Joe was last spotted in Ramsay Street in 2005, when actor Mark reprised his role for four months as part of the show’s 20th anniversary celebrations. Joe regularly appeared in Neighbours from 1988 to 1991.
The character would make yet another comeback, it was revealed earlier this year, in light of the contentious and premature cancellation of Neighbours.
On July 29, the series’ last episode will air.
Joe Mangel’s return to Neighbours will be broadcast on Channel 5 on Friday, July 15 at 1:45 and 6 p.m.
