Neighbours officially axed after almost 40 years

Iconic Aussie soap Neighbours has officially been cancelled after nearly four decades on the air.

Australian soap opera Neighbours will be axed after 37 years on our screens.

The news was confirmed on Thursday after Australian production company Fremantle Media failed to find a new broadcast partner following UK network Channel 5’s decision to withdraw its partnership.

Channel 5 foots the majority of the production bill.

Production of the show, which has run for nearly 9000 episodes, will stop in June. The final episodes are expected to air in August.

“Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK and despite an extensive search for alternative funding, we simply have no option but to rest the show,” a post to the Neighbours’ Twitter account read.

“To our amazing, loyal fans, we know this is a huge disappointment, as it is to all of us on the team. We thank you for all your messages and support and promise to end the show on an incredible high. From here on, we are celebrating Neighbours.”

We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June. pic.twitter.com/YwlDZPb7zB

— Neighbours (@neighbours) March 3, 2022

More than 60,000 fans signed a petition to try to save the show after it emerged last month that Channel 5 had pulled out, but it wasn’t enough.

“Neighbours is more than just a TV show – it is a source of comfort and entertainment for generations of fans who have watched it for decades,” the Change.org petition said.

It appeared actors on the show had come to accept it was coming to an end before the official announcement on Thursday.

Speaking in a UK television interview on Monday, Neighbours veteran Alan Fletcher, who plays Dr Karl Kennedy, said initially there was tears and sadness but the cast had since turned its focus on the celebratory aspect.

Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne who play Dr Karl and Susan Kennedy. Picture: Steve Tanner

Natalie Bassingthwaighte played Izzy Hoyland, who had an affair with Dr Karl Kennedy.

“Being an actor we work on yearly contracts on a show like Neighbours so for 28 years I’ve been expecting the phone call every year to say thanks you’re no longer required, so in a way we’re kind of always steeled for that possibility,” Fletcher said.

“Of course it’s very disorientating in a way to say everyone is not required anymore and that was a tough day for everyone.”

Fletcher said aside from the job losses, he was most concerned about the impact on fans.

“We’ve now got the responsibility to bring the show home in a way that’s going to really really make it special so the final episodes of Neighbours coming up to August are going to be spectacular, I can guarantee that,” he said.

Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan portrayed iconic soap couple Scott and Charlene in the 80s.

Margot Robbie in her role as teenager Donna Freedman.

Neighbours draws around 1.5 million UK viewers daily, and up to 170,000 metro viewers in Australia.

According to The Sun many famous actors have been asked to return to the show to ensure it goes out on a high.

Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, both 53, who played Charlene and Scott Robinson, have been approached.

The newspaper reported that Neighbours legend Ian Smith, 83, has already agreed to make his emotional comeback as Harold Bishop, and Peter O’Brien, 61, who appeared in the soap’s very first episode back in 1985, will reprise his role as Shane Ramsay.

It also reported Natalie Imbruglia, 47, who rose to fame playing Beth Brennan in the 1990s, has already said she would go back.

Originally published as Neighbours officially axed after almost 40 years