Neighbours facing the axe after nearly four decades on UK TV

After years of garnering a legion of fans in the UK, beloved Aussie soap Neighbours may be scrapped from British TV screens.

Neighbours is facing the axe after nearly four decades on UK TV screens.

Producers of the hit Aussie soap, which began in March 1985, are said to be looking at options in a bid to keep it going — just three years short of its 40th anniversary, The Sun reports.

Bosses at UK network Channel 5 have spent weeks in talks with producers at Fremantle Australia to try to find a way to keep the much-loved soap on air — but a deal has yet to be struck.

Although Neighbours is also shown in Australia, Channel 5 foots most of the production bill.

The soap — set in Ramsay Street — is said to be costing too much to film compared with the advertising revenue it brings in for the channel.

Neighbours first aired in the UK in 1986. Picture: Supplied.

Everyone involved in the production is said to be pulling out all the stops to safeguard its future.

But if the long-running drama — which still pulls in 1.2 million UK viewers every day — has to end, bosses are also looking at ways they can do it in style.

One plan is to lure pop sensation Kylie Minogue — who began her career on the soap as tomboy mechanic Charlene Robinson — to make a return.

Insiders say they hope she will make a special one-off guest appearance.

Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan portrayed iconic soap couple Scott and Charlene in the 80s. Fans are hoping Kylie can be lured back for a special guest appearance before the show leaves UK screens.

A source said: “Channel 5 pay Fremantle Australia many millions of pounds every year and, sadly, there’s a shortfall of about £5 million in what it brings back in through advertising.

“There’s a lot of disbelief and sadness among those who know it’s struggling.

“They are currently in the process of approaching a number of former cast members, including Kylie, to make a special return.

“If it’s the end, it really would be something special to have her back in Ramsay Street one last time.”

Neighbours was first shown on BBC1 in 1986.

Nearly 20 million UK viewers tuned in two years later to see Scott, played by Jason Donovan, and Charlene, played by Kylie, get wed.

Kylie, 53, left that year to launch her pop career and Jason, also 53, the year after.

A Network 10 spokesperson said: “As outlined in the email to Neighbours cast and crew, it is our intention to continue our association with Neighbours if another broadcast partner comes forward. Network 10 has an ongoing commitment to the show, the cast and crew and is hopeful that Fremantle will find a new production partner.

“We will provide further updates as they become available.”

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as Neighbours facing the axe after nearly four decades on UK TV