TRAGEDY OF MADGE'S REAL-LIFE DAUGHTER; Life's been tough says Neighbours star Anne.
She shot to fame playing the doting mother of the young and beautiful Kylie Minogue. But Anne Charleston's real life as a mother has been rather more harrowing.Anne, who this week returns to Neighbours as Madge Bishop after a four- year break, has opened her heart for the first time about her beloved foster daughter Emma.
"Her mother was my cousin," says 54-year-old Anne. "She died of cancer 14 years ago. Emma was only 12. It was very traumatic for the family. Emma came to live with me and my son Nick until she was about 17. It was a terrible time for her but we somehow got through it."
Now, however, Emma is happily married and living in Nottingham with her husband.
"We don't see that much of each other," says Anne who has left Australia and now lives in Galway, Ireland. "She doesn't have a phone and I'm not a very good letter writer."
The star, who is currently on tour with a stage play, returns to the small screen on Wednesday.
And Neighbours fans will have already spotted Madge's long-lost husband Harold back in the show.
"Harold went missing and was presumed drowned which is why Madge left Ramsay Street to start a new life in Brisbane," says Anne.
"But Helen (played by Anne Haddy) phones Madge to tell her that Harold has turned up in Erinsborough suffering from amnesia."
Anne first appeared in Neighbours in July 1987 with Kylie Minogue as Charlene. She stayed for seven years but quit for new roles.
After appearing in various stage and TV shows over the past four years, Anne was delighted when Neighbours bosses asked her to return.
But she has worries about regaining her high profile. In her heyday she was recognised everywhere and the fame became too much.
"I couldn't go in to the supermarket without everyone staring," she says.
And worse was to come when one particular fan became utterly obsessed with her.
"I don't want to go into it," says Anne. "He was really strange but he's gone very quiet now.
"It's not worth dragging it all up. Fame is a double-edged sword.
"On the one hand your profile means the work is readily available. But the flip side is that it's very intrusive.
"In Hollywood the stars earn enough money to pay for their protection but it's not like that everywhere. "I was pleased to leave Neighbours when I did - it was the right time for a change.
"It was very emotional when I left. They threw a party for me and gave me some lovely presents."
Anne says it was strange returning to the set which had once put her name in lights.
"Most of the crew were the same and it was great seeing them," she says, "but there were only about five original members of the cast.
"Still, it's been wonderful meeting up with all my old friends, particularly Ian Smith who plays Harold."
Unlike her screen character, Anne has never married and says she loves being single.
"It's my choice and I'm happy with it," she says. "I don't have to answer to anyone.
"I don't have to iron their shirts and tidy up.
"I'm sure there are nice men out there, but I've got too much on my plate."
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| Title Annotation: | Features |
|---|---|
| Author: | Hagan, Angela |
| Publication: | The Mirror (London, England) |
| Date: | May 10, 1997 |
| Words: | 551 |
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