The Neighbours cast walks to set as they prepare to film scenes in Melbourne amid shock allegations

Neighbours stars, including Olivia Junkeer and Jemma Donovan, were spotted making their way to the show’s Melbourne set on Tuesday amid a string of recent scandals. 

Former cast members such as Sharon Johal and Sachin Joab have spoken out against the long-running soap in recent weeks, alleging racism and abuse on set.

Most recently, actress Sharon, 33, detailed her ‘painful’ experience on the program in a lengthy statement posted to Instagram on Wednesday.

Business as usual: Neighbours stars were spotted making their way to the show’s Melbourne set on Tuesday amid a string of recent scandals (Olivia Junkeer pictured)

It appeared to be business as usual for the show’s current cast members, including Olivia, 22, Jemma, 21, and Rebekah Elmaloglou, 47, were all seen walking to set as they prepared to film scenes.

Fellow Neighbours stars Tim Kano, 34, Charlotte Chimes, 28, Matt Wilson, 32, and Richie Morris, 22, were also spotted heading to work on the show.

Walking alongside each other, Jemma and Olivia appeared enthralled in their phones as they made their way to set.

Scandal: Several former cast members have spoken out against the long-running soap in recent weeks, alleging racism and abuse on set. (Olivia pictured with Jemma Donovan)

Scandal: Several former cast members have spoken out against the long-running soap in recent weeks, alleging racism and abuse on set. (Olivia pictured with Jemma Donovan)

Checking in: Walking alongside each other, Jemma and Olivia appeared enthralled in their phones as they made their way to set

Keeping it casual: Both young women were dressed casually, with Jemma, 21, opting for black pants, which she paired with an oversize peach-coloured motif T-shirt

Checking in: Walking alongside each other, Jemma and Olivia appeared enthralled in their phones as they made their way to set

Both thespians were dressed casually, with Jemma opting for black pants, which she paired with an oversize peach-coloured motif T-shirt.

The daughter of fellow Neighbours alum Jason Donovan also wore a black leather blazer and white sneakers.

Meanwhile, a solemn Olivia stepped out in black leggings, which she paired with a baggy cream knit jumper and white sneakers.

On the phone: Fellow Neighbours star Richie Morris (pictured) was also spotted checking his phone as he walked to set, and wore a serious expression on his face

On the phone: Fellow Neighbours star Richie Morris (pictured) was also spotted checking his phone as he walked to set, and wore a serious expression on his face

Serious: A solemn Olivia stepped out in black leggings, which she paired with a baggy cream knit jumper and white sneakers

Serious: A solemn Olivia stepped out in black leggings, which she paired with a baggy cream knit jumper and white sneakers

Richie was also spotted checking his phone as he walked to set, and wore a serious expression on his face.

The handsome young actor stepped out in baggy navy blue tracksuit pants and a saffron-coloured T-shirt.

He also wore a black puffer jacket with the Neighbours logo embroidered on the front, white sneakers and a red cross-body bag.

Cast catch up: An animated Rebekah Elmaloglou (centre) chatted with Tim Kano (right) and Matt Wilson (left) as she made her way to the show's set clad in a grey robe

Cast catch up: An animated Rebekah Elmaloglou (centre) chatted with Tim Kano (right) and Matt Wilson (left) as she made her way to the show’s set clad in a grey robe

Back work: It appeared to be business as usual for the show's current cast members, who were all seen walking to set as they prepared to film scenes

Back work: It appeared to be business as usual for the show’s current cast members, who were all seen walking to set as they prepared to film scenes

An animated Rebekah chatted with Tim and Matt as she made her way to the show’s set clad in a grey robe.

Meanwhile, Tim tepped out in a pair of dark jeans, a dark blue button-up shirt, black leather boots, and a maroon and grey windcheater jacket.

Matt also opted for dark jeans, which he teamed with white sneakers and a black hooded jacket.

Phoning it in: Charlotte Chimes (pictured) showed off her character's baby bump in a figure-hugging brown dress, black leather biker jacket and white sneakers

Phoning it in: Charlotte Chimes (pictured) showed off her character’s baby bump in a figure-hugging brown dress, black leather biker jacket and white sneakers

Behind the scenes: The 28-year-old actress chatted on her phone as she walked to set, before waiting with the show's crew

Behind the scenes: The 28-year-old actress chatted on her phone as she walked to set, before waiting with the show’s crew

Charlotte showed off her character’s baby bump in a figure-hugging brown dress, black leather biker jacket and white sneakers.

The screen star chatted on her phone as she walked to set, before waiting with the show’s crew.   

In a recent statement, ex-soap star Sharon alleged she was subjected to racial slurs, mocking comments and a colleague calling her a ‘c**t’ when she confronted them over an offensive remark. 

Neighbours royalty: Jemma is the daughter of fellow Neighbours alum Jason Donovan, and also wore a black leather blazer and white sneakers

Neighbours royalty: Jemma is the daughter of fellow Neighbours alum Jason Donovan, and also wore a black leather blazer and white sneakers

Sharon went on to claim that on more than one occasion, a current cast member (not a person of colour) directly referred to her as ‘you people’, while speaking in derogatory terms about an altercation they were involved in with an Indian person. 

She also insisted the same cast member repeatedly referred to her as ‘the black one’ and/or ‘blackie’ behind her back while in the presence of crew members, and that the person claimed the show only employs Indian actors ‘to fill their diversity quota’.

Sharon starred on the Network 10 series as Dipi Rebecchi from 2017 until only last month.

Taking it seriously: In a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, Fremantle said: 'We remain committed to ensuring a respectful and inclusive workplace for all employees'

Taking it seriously: In a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, Fremantle said: ‘We remain committed to ensuring a respectful and inclusive workplace for all employees’

Other former cast members to have spoken out against the show, alleging racism on set include Sachin, Meyne Wyatt and guest star Shareena Clanton.

Sachin, who played Ajay Kapoor from 2011 to 2013, told the Herald Sun he was horrified to learn his Australian-born character was being written off the show and ‘sent back to India’.    

He said: ‘I don’t think I’ll unfortunately ever forget… [being told]: “We’re sending Ajay and Rani back to India.”

‘It was a double-hit for me because not only was I confused at finding out that we, as the only remaining actors of colour on the show are being written out, but… our characters were not from India. Our characters were both born and raised in Australia.’  

'The same cast member repeatedly mimicked the Indian character Apu from the Simpsons': Sharon Johal (pictured) detailed her 'painful' experience on the show in a lengthy statement

‘The same cast member repeatedly mimicked the Indian character Apu from the Simpsons’: Sharon Johal (pictured) detailed her ‘painful’ experience on the show in a lengthy statement

Aboriginal actor Meyne, who was a regular on Neighbours from 2014 to 2016 playing Nate Kinski and Mason Turner, posted to Instagram multiple times in the past week to claim he ‘experienced racism on set’.

He said: ‘It involved the c-word and I called that sh*t out and it didn’t happen around me again,’ he claimed. 

‘I did walk in on this incident in particular, so I have no doubt things were being said behind my back. I have too much experience to believe otherwise. 

‘And it is disappointing, but not at all surprising, to hear that five years later racism continues to be present in that workplace. But what can you say, we are in Australia.’

'Our characters were not from India': Sachin Joab (pictured recently), who played Ajay, said he was horrified to learn his Australian-born character was being 'sent back to India'

‘Our characters were not from India’: Sachin Joab (pictured recently), who played Ajay, said he was horrified to learn his Australian-born character was being ‘sent back to India’

Meanwhile, Shareena, who has also starred on Wentworth, vowed to never work on Neighbours again after claiming her stint on Ramsay Street was marred by ‘multiple racist traumas’ which have required ongoing counselling. 

‘I’m struggling to post anything positive about the months I endured on Neighbours after multiple racist traumas and navigating ongoing counselling from this highly problematic show,’ she wrote on Instagram.

‘It’s been lonely, triggering and traumatising to work in such a culturally unsafe space.

‘A (staff member) thought it funny and appropriate to openly laugh at the word ‘c*m sl*t’ by a cast member who loudly spoke about ‘c*m’, ‘c*m’, ‘c*m’ in front of other cast and crew. 

Shock: Aboriginal actor Meyne Wyatt (pictured in 2018), who was a regular on Neighbours from 2014 to 2016 playing Nate Kinski and Mason Turner, also insisted he experienced racism

Shock: Aboriginal actor Meyne Wyatt (pictured in 2018), who was a regular on Neighbours from 2014 to 2016 playing Nate Kinski and Mason Turner, also insisted he experienced racism

‘Due to my insistence of engaging a Wurundjeri Elder to be included for ongoing cultural safety reasons like cultural protocols followed and debriefing, I was told ‘this is not a film production, Shareena’ and that ‘we simply don’t have the budget’.

‘The humble few hundred dollars a week Aunty and I proposed was in contrast to the thousands of dollars actors were receiving each pay. I paid Aunty directly out of my own income to make up for this lack of budget. 

‘A senior staff member openly laughed whilst using the term ‘slave driver’ in reference to him ‘working hard’. My management at the time didn’t help as they endorsed/encouraged this ‘office banter’. I fired the agent. 

‘Overt and covert levels of racism were rife, often disguised as ‘jokes’, like a white actress openly calling another actress of colour a ‘lil’ monkey’.’ 

‘Twice I endured the N-word openly being used on-set and in the green room. I was even told to ‘go somewhere else’ by staff when confronting the actor directly because I was making others ‘uncomfortable’.

‘A white actress openly laughed at the racist N-word to only lie about laughing about it when questioned by HR. She said that I ‘misconstrued’ what she was ‘laughing at’ and that she was laughing at ‘something else’. That is a blatant lie.

‘The retaliation for calling out this misconduct and racism often left me ostracised and further marginalised. What was meant to (be an) HR follow-up (to) discuss this led to them saying they were unsure of ‘what else they could do’.’ 

In a statement to Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday, Fremantle, the production company behind Neighbours, said: ‘We remain committed to ensuring a respectful and inclusive workplace for all employees on the set of Neighbours and take very seriously any questions about racism or any other form of discrimination. 

‘We are engaging an independent legal investigation to work concurrently with Campfire X’s cultural review and hope to work directly with the individuals that have raised concerns, following which we will take whatever next steps are appropriate.’ 

Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting anyone pictured in this story is involved in the racism allegations. 

'Twice I endured the N-word openly being used on-set and in the green room': Shareena Clanton (pictured in 2013) came forward to make racism claims about the hit soap

‘Twice I endured the N-word openly being used on-set and in the green room’: Shareena Clanton (pictured in 2013) came forward to make racism claims about the hit soap