Exclusive: Neighbours star Sharon Johal says Dipi and Shane Rebecchi could split up
Neighbours spoilers follow for UK viewers.
Neighbours star Sharon Johal has spoken to Digital Spy about the possibility of a marriage split for Dipi and Shane Rebecchi.
Recent episodes on UK screens saw Dipi left devastated as Shane (Nicholas Coghlan) revealed that he'd developed a serious drug addiction.
Shane has since left Ramsay Street to seek professional help, leaving the future of his relationship with Dipi uncertain.
Speaking to Digital Spy about where things might head next, Sharon explained: "The rehabilitation of the addiction, Dipi will support. She loves her husband and his health is paramount for her.
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"The betrayal is the issue. The fact that he knowingly kept it a secret from her for such a long period of time, lying to her face repeatedly day after day whilst sleeping in the same bed.
"He refused to ask Dipi – his best friend, lover, mother of his three children – for help, but confided in the one person their relationship has been compromised over – Roxy. It is devastatingly detrimental to their marriage – and they may not be able to recover from it."
Asked whether she'd like them to stay together, Sharon replied: "That's a tough question to answer! I think the addiction they can get through but the dishonesty is hard – it comes back to haunt couples! There is definitely a permanent crack in the marriage now.
"As the character, I always want a 'happy' ending for Dipi and Shane and their respective families, because there is true love there and it's beautiful to see a couple withstand the trials and tribulations of decades together on television, like my parents in a way!
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"As an actor though, I am very keen for new challenges in the work and if that means working with other actors with meaty storylines I can sink my teeth and heart into, I am down for that!"
The ongoing drugs drama is the first time that Dipi and Shane have featured in a huge storyline of their own, so Sharon also told us how it feels to now be taking centre stage.
She said: "It feels incredible. I love Neighbours and being on this show and I personally have been waiting for these moments for literally years now.
"It's so great to play happy families but even better to play complex, layered ones too, where every day I get to come to work and really challenge myself and my skills – it energises and invigorates me."
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On what the future could hold for Dipi, she added: "I really feel for Dipi because I feel like she has been neglected somewhat in her own life. She has slaved her whole life away caring for her husband, her three children and her family – and her wants and needs have always come last.
"Now that her kids have grown up somewhat, I really hope she gets to experience joy and happiness in whatever way excites her. Perhaps follow a profession she has always wanted to but couldn't sacrifice the family for.
"That could be investigative work as she is a super sleuth, or performative arts hobbies that we know she loves, or fostering wayward children with that big heart of hers – like she has basically adopted Mackenzie. In essence, I want Dipi to get her groove back!"
Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5 (UK) and 6.30pm on 10 Peach (Australia).
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