Some storylines can be particularly divisive in soapland, and Neighbours is no exception in this regard, with some rather, dare I say it, controversial plotlines over the years, those which have raised eyebrows amongst both Neighbours aficionados and the casual viewer. Who can forget the Taj and Libby teacher-pupil affair from 2003, in which a grief-stricken Libby, mourning the presumed death of her friend Dee in the disastrous wedding car crash, took the fateful decision to sleep with student Taj, with whom she had already shared a kiss at Erinsborough High. I remember at the time that this was a plotline very much akin to Marmite, some people hated it whilst others enjoyed it. I was very much in the latter group; yes, it was a little bit out of character for Libby, whose teaching career was so important to her, to do something so reckless, but then again these things do happen, especially in moments of grief, with Libby still mourning the death of husband Drew after his fatal horse-riding accident a year earlier. Of course, the relationship itself had zero mileage; once Libby realized the gravity of her mistake, she quickly moved away from Erinsborough to reassess her life, with Taj leaving Ramsay Street soon after. But it was a colourful little story while it lasted.

There must be something in the water in the Kennedy household as it is not just Libby who has embarked on an unwise romance. Who can forget Billy succumbing to temptation by kissing Caitlin during the 1997 finale, despite his heart lying with long-term love Anne, or Mal having an illicit tryst with Jade despite being married to Catherine, and then later getting involved with Izzy (never a good idea!). But, of course, the king of the Kennedy affairs is Karl himself, the straight-laced doctor who in a few short years turned himself into a Ramsay Street lothario! It all began whilst working at the surgery with receptionist Sarah Beaumont, their professional relationship turning into something more intimate as he gave in to his weaknesses, ironically at the same time as son Billy was sharing his own kiss. This led to the iconic Susan slap as Karl was thrown out of the Kennedy household to contemplate his choices, but clearly he didn't learn his lesson as he began a much more tumultuous and illicit romance with Izzy a few years later, further raising eyebrows amongst Neighbours fans.

I remember reading an article in 2003 stating that there was going to be a major change in the Kennedy household the following year, but I didn't expect anything like the Karl-Izzy-Susan storyline that dominated the latter stages of the 2004 season. This plotline felt entirely natural as Karl, despite having helped Susan to regain her memory during the notorious milk-slippage-amnesia saga and being a great support after Drew's death, succumbed to Izzy's machinations after developing a drinking problem. The beginnings of this torrid affair were unlike anything that had been seen in the Kennedy household previously, as Karl asked Susan for a trial separation by declaring that he no longer loved her, before moving into a nearby flat. A few weeks later he then declared to a horrified Susan that he was to be a father to Izzy's child in the poetically titled 'Publish and Be Damned', as the rifts in the Kennedy household widened.

The Karl-Izzy affair really was one of Neighbours' finest moments, it added so much drama and pathos to the show and indirectly led to the devastating end of year fire, which not only destroyed the Lassiters complex and put numerous residents' lives on the line, but led to the return of Paul Robinson as Izzy's psychotic ex-boyfriend Gus Cleary sought his revenge. We still saw the legacy of the Karl-Izzy romance beating through the heart of show to the very end with the presence of Holly, a constant reminder to Karl of the times he has strayed and the forgiveness he has sought from Susan, despite the hurt he has put her through over the years. The affairs and the devastation wrought in the Kennedy household has, quite ironically, cemented Karl and Susan's relationship into an unbreakable one, the realisation being that their partnership is near hurricane proof, weathering the bitterest of storms despite everything that has been thrown at it.