‘Neighbours’ star Guy Pearce says he and co-star Jason Donovan still call each other their characters' names - decades after leaving the show.

Guy Pearce says he and Jason Donovan still refer to each other as their Neighbours characters' names

Guy Pearce says he and Jason Donovan still refer to each other as their Neighbours characters' names

The 54-year-old actor played Mike Young on the Australian soap, a pal of Scott Robinson (Jason Donovan) and Charlene Robinson (Kylie Minogue), from 1986 to 1989.

The show has been on TV for 37 years, but it will come to an end on July 29, and Guy is one of many familiar faces set to return for the special finale, but joked it is "a bit sad" that he and Jason still use their character names for each other.

He told Radio Times magazine: “Jason and I see each other all the time, and we still call each other Scott and Mike, which is a bit sad!

“Whenever I’m in London I’ll see Jason most times and I’ll see Kylie as well if she’s around.

“There are a few others I catch up with when I’m in Melbourne like Stefan (Dennis) and Annie of course, she’s been on (crime drama series) 'Jack Irish' with me.”

Guy's role in ‘Neighbours’ helped launch his acting career, and he went on to star in Hollywood blockbusters ‘LA Confidential’ and ‘Momento’.

The show has also been a launchpad for other Hollywood stars, such as Liam Hemsworth and Margot Robbie.

Guy added: “There are certain moments in your life that are real markers.

“Being cast in 'Neighbours', the confidence it gave me and what I learnt being on the show were immeasurable qualities and benefits.

“Of course, there have been other moments when I’ve auditioned for roles and got them, but I can’t ever forget this.

“I always feel super lucky to have got on the show when I did and as we know, it just took off and became huge.”