Neighbours actor Alan Fletcher bald due to alopecia areata

Joining Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary live on This Morning, the actor who played Karl Kennedy for 28 years, got teary talking about his time on the show.

However, a medical condition made the famous face almost unrecognisable to fans.

Unrecognisable to many fans, Fletcher suffers with Alopecia areata disorder leading to patchy hair loss.

Making the announcement to fans through Neighbours social media accounts he said: "A lot of fans have expressed a little concern about my health on the internet and there's been some media inquiries as well, so I just wanted to put something to rest.

"I'm absolutely fine, I'm fit and well working on Neighbours and having a great time. But, I can report to you I do have a disorder called alopecia areata.

"Now, if you watched the Oscars, you know that's the thing that caused a bit of a discord between Will Smith and Chris Rock in referencing Will Smith's wife."

He went on to explain that he took the decision to shave his beard off, along with his hair, due to it having become so patchy.

He finished off by saying: "I know a lot of you are going to be pretty shocked, but I have no problem with it. In fact, it's kind of fun!"

The soap followed the lives of those living and working in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough since 1985.

On Friday, cast members past and present reunited to film the final episode, coming together to sing a special rendition of the theme tune.

Neighbours: Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan pictured reuniting on set

Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan were pictured reuniting filming the final episode of Neighbours. Picture: PA

Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, who starred as power couple Charlene Mitchell and Scott Robinson in the 1980s, were previously announced to have returned for the show’s finale.

The first-look photos show the pair laughing and embracing, with Minogue wearing denim overalls of the sort beloved by her character and Donovan sporting a check shirt and jeans.

Feisty mechanic Charlene was often seen wearing the practical outfit and it became her calling card among fans.

A second image shows them leaning against the bonnet of a car, with Donovan kissing his on-screen lover on the forehead.

Minogue shared the images with her 2.4 million Instagram followers quoting a line from their hit song, Especially For You, saying: “Now we’re back together.”

Donovan, meanwhile, posted a photo of the street sign for Ramsay Street signed by him and his co-star, as well as a snap of the cover of his script.

He wrote: “So good to be back with this absolute legend @kylieminogue.”

Donovan and Minogue, who are both 54, played Scott and Charlene until their departures in 1989 and 1988 respectively.

Their wedding episode was watched by more than two million Australian viewers when it first aired in 1987, and later pulled in an audience of almost 20 million when it was shown in the UK in 1988.

The soap also launched the careers of Hollywood stars such as Margot Robbie and Liam Hemsworth.

When is Neighbours final episode?

Neighbours is ceasing production after failing to secure new funding since being dropped by its broadcaster earlier this year.

The final episode, due to broadcast on August 1, will see fan favourites from throughout the years return to the cul-de-sac community of Ramsay Street to bid the soap farewell.