Neighbours icon tragically died at 50 after devastating health battle
Myra De Groot, an actress known for appearing in Neighbours, tragically passed away at the age of 50 back in 1988. Born in London’s East End, she was known for portraying meddling character Eileen Clarke, whom she began playing in 1985.
Her character was only ever intended to appear on the show for a week, but Myra wrote up an expanded outline for the producers and she quickly became part of the cast, appearing on a semi-regular basis. She was known for her shrill cries of "Desmond" to her son Des every time she appeared on screen, to the dismay of her neighbours.
However, Myra was diagnosed with cancer in early 1988 after experiencing back pain that got worse with time. She then died in April of that year, three months before her 51st birthday.
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When she passed, tributes were paid by her heartbroken co-stars, including Craig McLachlan, Jason Donovan and Anne Charleston. When Jason won a Silver Logie for Most Popular Australian Actor in 1988, the last event Myra attended, it was his much-loved co-star, Myra, he dedicated the award to.
British-born Myra started carving her career out in the West End, before moving to America and appearing in TV shows such as Bewitched, The Monkees, Perry Mason, and Here Come the Brides. She later moved to New Zealand before settling in Australia and beginning her Neighbours stint.
Despite her death, Myra still appeared on-screen in the UK for 15 months after passing, due to the show's delay in airing here.
Another star who acted alongside Myra was Annie Jones. 57 year old Annie played the character Jane Harris, who was also known as ‘Plain Jane Superbrain’, who underwent a dramatic transformation on the soap. But after three years on Ramsay Street, Annie stepped back from her role in 1989.
Speaking to the Mirror in 2020, the former soap star revealed that just five years after leaving the show, her mother Elizabeth was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. As a result, Annie spent two decades turning down job offers in favour of caring for her mum.
Over the years, Annie had returned to her Neighbours roots and in 2015 appeared in the documentary Neighbours 30th: The Stars Reunite.
Then, in 2018, Annie began making guest appearances on the soap before her permanent comeback was announced in 2020. “It's like being in a little timewarp for me,” she told Radio Times. “I'm back in the 80s, I'm 19 years old, going to work at Nunawading studios in Melbourne every day - and loving it. I'm really thankful to be back.”
