Neighbours’ first gay wedding ‘will save lives’

Over thirty one years after Charlene Mitchell and Scott Robinson got hitched in the greatest soap wedding ever, Neighbours is set to feature another groundbreaking marriage storyline.

The nuptials between David Tanaka (played by Takaya Honda) and Aaron Brennan (Matty Wilson) will be Aussie TV’s first ever gay wedding.

Coming less than a year after same-sex marriages were legalised last December, both actors have revealed how they felt a responsibility to do the LGBT+ community justice with the storyline.

What a day! Working with one of Australia’s favorites TV icons, the incomparable @magda_szubanski, on an historic event in Australian Television – the first legal same sex marriage on an Australian drama, alongside the greatest partner in crime @mattywilson all while being quite sick. Fortunately for me I had the @Neighbours crew whom without I could not have survived. We have worked so hard on this and I can’t wait for you all to see it, it is going to meet and surpass all your dreams, if not only because of Magda’s incredible talent. Thank you to @kd.publicity and the rest of the Network Ten and Neighbours publicity team. To all the journos who came to help document this occasion @candice_wyatt_10 @nataliejhunter @studio10au @tvweekmag @jmoconfidential and those who I don’t know a tag for. Thank you for helping celebrate. And finally thank you to all the fans out there who have barracked for #Daaron !! Without your support this would not be happening. Matty and I are so proud to play these characters and we could not be happier with the overwhelming and positive response you have had to the relationship, so thank you thank you thank you! #3monthsandcounting

A post shared by Ｔａｋａｙａ Ｈｏｎｄａ 🙋🏻‍♂️ (@takayah) on May 30, 2018 at 4:01am PDT

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Furthermore, their characters’ story has been hailed as a ‘lifesaver’ by activist and comedy actress Magda Szubanski, best known for playing Sharon in Kath and Kim.

Speaking to The Sun Online, Matty said: “It’s a huge moment, it’s hard to believe, I still pinch myself.

“When we see the hype around this episode in particular you start to realise this is a huge responsibility and a huge moment in history.

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“It has the ability to affect a lot of people so it’s quite a powerful episode.”

Despite David and Aaron splitting earlier this year, the Erinsborough favourites reunited before becoming engaged in May. The latest wedding to take over Ramsay Street will air this September.

Revealing both stars have been overwhelmed by the positive response to David and Aaron’s relationship, Takaya added how it is a “special” privilege to hear from fans and their families about their own struggles.

Tonight’s episode was a little cheeky 🙈😂🍑 @mattywilson @neighbours #bum #neverthoughtiwouldhashtagbum

A post shared by Ｔａｋａｙａ Ｈｏｎｄａ 🙋🏻‍♂️ (@takayah) on May 28, 2018 at 3:05am PDT

He said: “I’d get messages from people’s mothers or men themselves saying thank you so much for that storyline, my brother, myself, my friend was able to use that as a segue into coming out to their families.”

In a neat touch, the celebrant in charge of David and Aaron’s ceremony is played by Magda – who campaigned exhaustively for marriage equality before Oz voted yes to love.

Takaya added: “She said when we were filming: ‘In all seriousness what you’re doing today will save lives, it’s that simple’.”

– Neighbours is on Channel 5, weekdays, at 1.45pm and 5.30pm

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