Why Margot Robbie sent 37 bottles of champagne to the Neighbours set

Actor Margot Robbie smiling
Margot Robbie got her big break on Neighbours - and has never forgotten it. Photo credit: Getty Images

Hollywood actor, future Barbie and one-time Neighbours resident Margot Robbie says she will always be 'eternally grateful' to Erinsborough.

Robbie played Donna Freedman on the soap from 2008 to 2011, beginning her career on screen with the Australian soap.

The show aired its last ever episode on Friday in Australia and the UK after it was axed due to a lack of co-funding. 

The final episode will be shown in New Zealand towards the end of August.

But Robbie, who appeared in the last episode via computer as she was filming the Barbie movie when the show was wrapping production, showed no signs of forgetting her roots.

The actor sent 37 bottles of champagne to the set - one for every year the soap was on air - UK newspaper The Sun reported.

"I owe so much to Neighbours," she told the paper.

"There are so many of us that owe them for giving us a big break.

"It wasn't just about giving me a break either — it gave me a real chance to work on my craft. It was the perfect training for Hollywood, and I will always be eternally grateful," Robbie said.

Friday's finale saw Margot return alongside a host of other fan favourites, including Jason Donovan, Kylie ­Minogue, Guy Pearce, Holly Valance and Natalie Imbruglia.

Anne Charleston, who played Ramsay Street legend Madge Bishop, also returned - with her late character appearing as a ghost.

The show wrapped production having shot nearly 9,000 episodes.