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GOODBYE NEIGHBOURS
Neighbours is being axed after nearly four decades on our TV screens
NEIGHBOURS has been axed after nearly four decades on our TV screens.
The hit Aussie soap, which started in March 1985, will come to an emotional end in August — three years short of its 40th anniversary.
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Bosses at 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 failed to strike a deal.
Although Neighbours is also shown in Australia, Channel 5 foots most of the production bill.
The soap — set in Ramsay Street — is said to cost too much to film compared with the advertising revenue it brings in for the channel.
Channel 5 have today confirmed our story.
From a Channel 5 spokesperson: “Neighbours will no longer air on Channel 5 beyond this summer.
"It’s been a much-loved part of our schedule for more than a decade, and we’d like to thank the cast, Fremantle and all of the production team for their fantastic work on this iconic series. We’d also of course like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbours across the years. We recognise that there will be disappointment about this decision, however our current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama, which has strong appeal for our viewers.”
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 1.2million 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.
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Insiders say they hope she will make a special one-off guest appearance.
A source said: “Channel 5 pay Fremantle Australia many millions of pounds every year and, sadly, there’s a shortfall of about £5million 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 20million 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.
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