Ms Timmins, meanwhile, was also busy trying to avoid the criticisms of the neighbours for her dismissing of Dylan. Stingray tried his best to bring them together, but Janelle wouldn’t have a bar of it. Indeed, it transpired that the real reason she was annoyed with her son was because he reminded her so much of her ‘mongrel of a husband’, Kym. Cousin Jarrod, however, was quite enjoying his new ‘career’ in the boxing ring (even if none of the viewers were), and appeared to have met his match in the larger-than-life Eva Destruction (real name Genevieve).

Carmella’s recent ordeal seemed to have deeply affected her, especially when it was revealed that Frank would be granted bail! She and Connor decided a weekend away to Toadie’s uncle Barry R. Reeves’ place in the country would be the ideal chill-out. Yet, it seemed Carmella couldn’t quite get over the trauma of either being away with Connor or the stalking situation with Frank. It is likely that the latter affected her most, and so she took off at great speed in Connor’s car along with Barry’s shotgun that she found lying loose in the kitchen. Would Connor catch up with her in time before she did anyone an injury?

And finally, the biggest drama of the week came, unsurprisingly, from Izzy and Karl. On her return from her immoral few days in Sydney with Paul (an excuse that her friend was ill was fabricated for Karl’s benefit), Izzy brought with her a gift of aftershave. Karl was delighted, until a casual comment made by Harold suggested that Paul wore the same scent, and he quickly realised Izzy may not be totally trustworthy. In typical Isabelle fashion she caused a scene when Karl suggested she had knowingly given him the same aftershave, and she even went so far as to throw him out of his own flat! What she didn’t anticipate was him being offered a sofa to sleep on at Susan’s, and when she found out she stormed over to the house and overheard Susan and Karl laughing and joking as in told times. Furious, she kept vigil outside No.28 until Karl emerged, ironically because he tried to make a pass at Susan by visiting her bedroom door and she suggested it was wise that he left. Izzy screamed abuse and accusations at Karl as he left the street, to the amusement of the Bishops gathered on their balcony. The following morning, Izzy returned to the street to try and confront Susan who was already making her way to work. Again, with an audience of neighbours watching her, Izzy attempted to rip shreds off Susan, but Ms Smith gave as good as she got, winding Izzy up something rotten! Later in the day, Izzy tried to make amends with Karl, and he seemed willing to kiss and make up, until she told him that he musn’t see Susan again because she was the cause of their problems.

The stress of the last year was obviously getting to Karl, and unable to cope with Izzy’s constant mood swings and his inability to trust her, he went off for a relaxing drive into the country. However, en route he suffered a tyre puncture and had to stop to change the wheel. The physical exertion needed to use the wrench was enough to push Karl’s body to its limit, and he began experiencing the start of a heart attack. He immediately lay down on the ground and called an ambulance, before making his next call to Susan. When he explained he was on the verge of death, Susan broke down in tears. Karl declared his love for his ex wife and hoped she would find happiness. Susan had little time to reply before Karl had to break off the call. He then tried phoning Izzy, but she was too busy painting her nails and ignored the call. He left a garbled message on her voicemail before suffering a sharp pain and falling unconscious.

The paramedics soon arrived and attempted to revive him. However, in typical Neighbours fashion they took every attempt possible to ‘camp it up’ and so we were treated to a dream sequence as Karl lay dying. Karl’s final ‘vision’ saw him reunited with Susan at the marital home as they prepared a roast meal, along with Casserole the sheep, for the impending arrival of Drew and Libby, Malcolm and Catherine and Billy and Anne. However, a thunderstorm brewed outside the house, in sync fabulously with the ambulance paramedics’ shocking of Karl with defibrillators. The storm in the dream caused the lights to blackout at No.28, and Susan suggested Karl go outside to check the fuse box. As he opened the door, he was engulfed in slow-motion by a massive bright light – obviously meant to symbolise the beginning of the afterlife as Karl was slipping away. However, back in real time, the paramedics gave him one last chance and succeeded in reviving him before speeding off to that highly renowned medical institution, Erinsborough Hospital!

Notes: Hurrah for familiar extras: Clare Renton-Power was back as Nurse Evanovich, seemingly the only medical staff member in the hospital.

The BBC appeared to have edited one of this week’s episodes, with the opening scene likely to have differed from that shown in Australia. The give-away was the ‘home made’ opening production credits added by the BBC before broadcast, which differed slightly to the Grundy version.