Neighbours star Maxine Klibingaitis dies 'unexpectedly' aged 58

Australian actor Maxine Klibingaitis has died "unexpectedly" at the age of 58.

Klibingaitis is best known for her roles in soap opera Neighbours and Prisoner: Cell Block H in the 1980s.

Her death was announced on Facebook by Prisoner: Cell Block H fan club Partners in Crime who wrote: "We regrettably announce that actress Maxine Klibingaitis has passed away."

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They added: "Maxine played the much-loved character of Bobbie Mitchell in Prisoner, Terry Inglis in Neighbours, and many other roles on Australian TV. Maxine was only 58. We send our sincere condolences to her son Zane and Maxine's family and friends. RIP Maxine."

The fan site confirmed the news from a friend of the actor's: "Just to clarify for those inboxing me, the sad news is not a hoax. A very close friend of Maxine's called me late today. [They] asked me to post the sad news so that Maxine's fans would know. Maxine had many fans."

Klibingaitis was part of soap opera history during her stint on Neighbours in 1985. Her character, Terri, was involved in a storyline with the villainous Paul Robinson that ended when she commited suicide. Terri became the first Neighbours character to ever take their own life.

She appeared in a number of other well regarded Australian shows that were also popular in the UK including soap Home and Away, The Flying Doctors and Blue Heelers.

More recently she appeared in medical show MDA alongside Neighbours legend and musician Jason Donovan which went on to become one of the most popular dramas in Australia.

Her last public appearance came in 2019 when she was part of a Prisoner: Cell Block H reunion.

Klibingaitis last appeared on screen in 2013 in Australian film The House Cleaner about a germophobic cleaner keen to make the lives of their clients as miserable as possible.

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