David (L) and Aaron get married on Neighbours. | Photo: Fremantle Media
The long running and beloved Australian soap, Neighbours, has just made history after airing its first same-sex wedding.
Aaron (Matt Wilson) and David (Takaya Honda) tied the knot in an intimate ceremony officiated by comedian, Magda Szubanski.
In its 33 years on air, Neighbours has had 42 weddings which are always momentous viewing occasions. The wedding of Kylie Minogue’s character, Charlene, to Scott in 1987 got about 20 million viewers in the UK alone.
Neighbours has broken ground on LGBTI issues in the past year. Earlier this year, it aired its first gay sex scene after airing the first same-sex in 2012.
The historic wedding was described as the wedding of the year and comes just months after Australia finally legalized same-sex marriage.
It’s almost time, Australia! Don’t miss the wedding of David & Aaron – on today’s #Neighbours pic.twitter.com/5Se63FTOKW
— Neighbours (@neighbours) September 3, 2018
Both actors felt nervous and excited knowing they were about to be a part of changing the face of Australian TV.
‘We are both ecstatic to be part of this huge moment and it stands alone as the highlight of my career,’ Wilson said in May.
Honda added: ‘It is an absolute privilege to be part of what is and what will be a historic moment in Australian television.’
‘There have been so many parts of David’s story that have given me a great sense of pride – from discovering Paul Robinson was his dad, to his coming out to now marrying the man of his dreams,’ he said.
#Neighbours
The Neighbours hashtag trended on Twitter long after the episode finished, with many celebrating the historic event. Here are some of the best reactions:
42 weddings in #Neighbours‘ 33 years. Right now they celebrate their 1st #LGBTIQ wedding. I grew up watching Neighbours, my sisters reminiscing about Scott & Charlene’s wedding. Visibility matters. You can’t imagine what this means to LGBTIQ kids ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 #marriageequality
— Joseph Scales (@JosephScales) September 3, 2018
History for Australian television 🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 #loveislove #Neighbours
— Chris Pycroft (@chrispytweets) September 3, 2018
Today is a historic moment in Australian TV history – Neighbours has been a huge part of my life, and today I am so excited to watch Aaron and David walk down the aisle! Congratulations to Neighbours and everyone involved! #Daaron #Neighbours #ChooseLove #LoveWins pic.twitter.com/Pf64VT9DzI
— Scotty T MBE (@ScottGShore) September 3, 2018
That wedding was so beautiful and I absolutely loved it. It was so adorable and emotional, I cried so much and
it was an amazing episode Congratulations to everyone involved 😍😍😍😍❤️❤️❤️❤️#Daaron #DaaronWedding #Neighbours @takayahonda @MattyWilson88— Kelly Lucas (@Kellylucasouth3) September 3, 2018
It all happens tonight on @neighbours. Two of our favourite sons wed in a Celebration of legal same sex marriage in #Australia. Don’t miss @magda_szubanski marry the lads and send some shock waves around too!! One of the best episodes ever! :)… https://t.co/WpxpAMQARz
— Alan Fletcher (@alanfletcher) September 3, 2018
David and Aaron’s journey
Watch this video for a look back on how the boys fell in love:
What a journey it’s been for these two lovebirds! 💘🕊
Just cannot wait for Monday? Feast your eyes upon their little love story as our boys get wedding-ready! 🎩💛🌈💜🎩 #Daaron #Neighbours pic.twitter.com/efdyNSs7oI
— Neighbours (@NeighboursTV) September 1, 2018
