Madge Bishop

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Madge Bishop played by Anne Charleston was one of the matriarchs of Australian television soap opera Neighbours. She first appeared at the beginning of the 1986 season and remained until late 1992. Anne returned for a second stint in late 1996 and left in 2001.

Madge was a strong character, often spiky and hot headed but was also a caring and devoted wife and mother. In the early days she looked after her brother Max (Francis Bell), Shane (Peter O'Brien) and Danny (David Clencie) followed by Charlene (Kylie Minogue) and Henry (Craig McLachlan). During this time she married fuddy-duddy Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) and they became one of the most popular couples to have been in the show despite initial reservations that they were too different to work.

In 1991 Harold disappeared, presumed drowned. It wasn't long before Madge's childhood sweetheart Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver) returned to woo her. Lou proposed after many months of courting but Madge declined and left to look after her grandson Daniel.

In late 1996 Helen Daniels spotted Harold in Ramsay Street and contacted Madge who returned immediately to be reunited with her long-lost husband. In hindsight Madge and Harold's return breathed a new lease of life into the show at this point and together they took over the running of the Coffee Shop and fostered both Paul (Jansen Spencer) and Tad (Jonathon Dutton). Although Madge wasn't quite as feisty as during her original stint, she was still a strong lady and became the matriarch of the street with the death of Helen.

Madge's time came to an end in 2001 as Anne Charleston was unhappy with her storylines so Madge discovered she had terminal cancer and died in Harold's arms. Madge is still mentioned from time to time due to the ongoing presence of Harold.