Madge Bishop

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Madge Bishop
First appearance 1986
Last appearance 2001
Cause/Reason Died from Cancer
Statistics
Year of Death 2001
Spouse Harold Bishop
Children Charlene Robinson
Henry Mitchell
Portrayed by Anne Charleston

Margaret Mary "Madge" Bishop (previously Mitchell, née Ramsay) 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 moved to Erinsborough to live with her brother Max (Francis Bell) after her marriage to Fred Mitchell crumbled. She initially looked after Max and his sons, Shane (Peter O'Brien) and Danny (David Clencie). Madge's daughter Charlene (Kylie Minogue) soon also arrived to live with her while Max quickly departed and another brother Tom (Gary Files) briefly resided in the Ramsay home. Only a few months after her arrival in Erinsborough and with Max gone, Danny and then Shane leaving home, and Tom also departing, Madge and Charlene were joined by Madge's son Henry (Craig McLachlan) after his release from prison. During this time she married the regimented Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) and they enjoyed a lasting and loving marriage punctuated only by factors outside their control.

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 Queensland.

In late 1996 Helen Daniels spotted Harold in Ramsay Street and contacted Madge who returned immediately to be reunited with her long-lost husband. Together they took over the running of the Coffee Shop and fostered both Paul McClain (Jansen Spencer) and Tad Reeves (Jonathon Dutton). This time Madge wasn't quite as feisty as during her original stint, however 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 when 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.

[edit] Duration

  • First Appearance: Episode 171 (1986)
  • Last Appearance: Episode 3740 (2001)

[edit] Trivia

  • She married her high school sweetheart Harold Bishop several years after divorcing her husband Fred Mitchell in 1986.
  • Madge and Mrs. Mangel had a long running rivalry which was only ended when Mrs. Mangel left after her wedding, though the two women made peace.

[edit] Family Tree

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