Neighbours star April Rose Pengilly updates fans after emotional return to set

 "It was very weird being back there."

Neighbours star April Rose Pengilly has shared her emotional return to the Erinsborough set ahead of the soap's revival.

Documenting her trip via a series of Instagram Stories, the actress shared snaps of Melbourne airport, Nunawading Studios (where Neighbours is filmed) and a picture of a sign reading 'Welcome to Erinsborough'.

She also shared a candid video update for fans, revealing that it was very weird to return to the set after thinking she wouldn't ever see it again. "As you know I had my first day back at the Neighbours studio today," she began.

"Wasn't shooting anything today, we just had costume fittings and makeup meetings and catching up with everyone."

Explaining that the last time she had been at the studios was for a goodbye lunch, Pengilly continued: "I remember walking out and being like, 'Well that's probably the last time I'll ever be here unless we do some weird 20th anniversary revisit the set or do a TV special,' so it was very weird being back there."

The actress, who plays character Chloe Brennan, previously confirmed she would be returning to the show alongside her on-screen partner Elly Conway (Jodi Gordon) as part of the Amazon Freevee revival.

The fan-favourite couple reunited during the soap's finale episode, with the pair seemingly heading away from Erinsborough to Sydney for their 'happy ever after' ending.

Pengilly also teased fans about returning cast members, explaining what it was like to be on set with a mixture of new and old stars.

"It's about 50 percent new crew and a lot of new cast. I saw a few familiar faces but also a lot people I didn't know," she added. "I think it will be really interesting to see what it's like when I go to shoot tomorrow.

"Unfortunately I can't really tell you anything without getting in trouble but I know you're all very excited."

Neighbours returns in the second half of 2023 with new episodes streaming free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and US. Network 10 will retain first-run rights in Australia for the new series.