Neighbours star Stefan Dennis calls out treatment of show amid cancellation: ‘Bit of a shame’

Veteran Neighbours star Stefan Dennis has lashed out at the treatment of the long-running soap after it was cancelled once again.

Veteran Neighbours star Stefan Dennis has lashed out at the way the long-running soap has been handballed by the networks only for it to be axed once and for all ahead of its 40th anniversary.

The 66-year-old – who has played villainous businessman Paul Robinson on the series since it premiered in 1985 – is “not afraid to say anything anymore” as he expressed his frustrations with the way the milestone anniversary has now been “overshadowed” by the show’s cancellation.

Stefan Dennis is frustrated over the treatment of Neighbours amid its cancellation. Picture: Ten

The veteran star says the axing has overshadowed the show’s 40th anniversary. Picture: Ten

“It’s really made the 40th anniversary a bit wishy-washy now,” the actor told TV Tonight in a new interview.

“It’s a bit of a shame, because it’s an incredible accolade for an Australian show to say they’ve been going for 40 years other than other than news and current affairs. But unfortunately, that’s now being completely and utterly overshadowed by the fact that the show is now on its way out. So the 40th anniversary means nothing now.”

Dennis says that during his time on the show, he has lived through three axings. In 1985, it was axed by Seven, in 2022 it was axed by 10, and last month it was axed by Amazon just two years after offering the soap a lifeline.

Dennis and Annie Jones, who returned a for reunion special in 2022, appeared in the very first episode of the soap in 1985. Picture: Ten

In his interview, Dennis criticised Amazon for pulling it from Prime Video, despite the soap being a ratings winner in the UK.

“Amazon, don’t own it. Amazon just buy it to show it … but they’re not producing the show and that’s where people get confused,” he explained.

“Free to Air television is on the way out … As soon as the Free to Air television stations start realising that, and stop trying to drag their heels, like one particular one I won’t mention, they’re just sticking their head in the sand.

“Our show is about to go, so I’m not afraid to say anything anymore. I’m going to start speaking up.”

With co-stars (from left to right): Rebekah Elmaloglou, Alan Fletcher, Jackie Woodburne, Anne Charleston, Ian Smith, Stefan Dennis and Annie Jones.

It was last month that Amazon announced it is set to abandon the soap. Production will cease in July this year, with the final episode ever airing in December.

A spokesperson for Ten shared a statement with news.com.au at the time, thanking its Aussie fans and audiences for their continued support as the soap aired on Amazon.

“We are grateful to all those who worked so hard to keep Neighbours on air for more than 400 episodes,” the spokesperson said.

“It is a mighty achievement that the series will reach the 40-year milestone [in March]. The program will be missed by the fans and the people who have been part of this amazing journey. We wish them well.”

Originally published as Neighbours star Stefan Dennis calls out treatment of show amid cancellation: ‘Bit of a shame’