The Australian soap Neighbours will shoot its final scene in June following a record 37-year run, after producers Fremantle failed to secure another UK broadcaster.
The series, which launched the international careers of countless stars including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie and Guy Pearce, is the longest-running drama series on Australian television and was so popular in Britain it has been bankrolled by Channel 5 since 2008.
Tonight, on #Neighbours 😳💋 #AusPace pic.twitter.com/cUIoDdYtW8
— Neighbours (@neighbours) March 2, 2022
The sunny lives of the Ramsay Street characters still attract 1.5 million UK viewers a day.
“It is with sadness that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast, we are confirming that Neighbours will cease production in June,” a Fremantle spokesperson said.
“Following the loss of a key broadcast partner in the UK, and despite a search for alternative funding, we currently have no option but to rest the show.”
The final blow for the Melbourne-based production comes a month after the UK’s Channel 5 announced it would no longer air the program.
I will NEVER forgive @channel5_tv for destroying the legend and insitution that is @neighbours!!! We still have time to #SaveNeighbours so come on everyone, let's send those emails to @ITV and tweet until we can't tweet anymore!! #neighbours 🇦🇺🌏🦘 pic.twitter.com/jQ40itmw5q
— Richard James Porter 💙 (@RichardJamesPo3) February 28, 2022
“Everyone at Neighbours has been overwhelmed by the love and support from the audience since the news came out,” Fremantle said. “The show has brought a sunny slice of Australia into the homes of millions of viewers around the world, launching the careers of dozens of household names along way.
“But as this chapter of Ramsay Street comes to a close, we promise to do everything we can to give the show the send-off it deserves.”
The show has not been a ratings hit for the Ten network since it moved off the main channel to a secondary channel about a decade ago, but it has been a valuable publicity vehicle for the network and has trained hundreds of Australians in the craft of television.
“A much-loved stalwart of our program schedule for over 35 years, it has been a staple of Australian television drama, and Australian cultural exports,” a Ten spokesperson said.
“Ramsay Street, Erinsborough, is a cul-de-sac recognised all over the world and has been home to Scott and Charlene, Des and Daphne, Dr Karl and Susan, Dee and Toadie, Aaron and David and many, many more neighbours.
“Network 10 thanks the cast, crew, all the production team and Fremantle for bringing the perfect blend of soap and sunshine to audiences in Australia and around the world.
“We thank the Australian fans and audiences for their continued support of the series. Their encouragement particularly in the past few weeks has been incredible. It shows that our audience still want Australian scripted drama. We have listened to them and there are exciting new local projects in the pipeline, which is great for our audience and for the local industry.
“We are confident that the cast, crew and writers will bring their distinctive warmth, style and humour to the Neighbours set as they embark on filming the final episodes over the coming months.”
We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and support from our amazing viewers during this time. We have the best fans. We have always been in this together and we love each and every one of you. #Neighbours pic.twitter.com/19KKT3Ixvd
— Neighbours (@neighbours) February 8, 2022
The show was known for its record of breaking down barriers, including introducing the show’s first trans character in Mackenzie Hargraves – played by the Australian trans activist Georgie Stone – in 2019. In 2004 Neighbours aired a much-publicised “lesbian kiss” by the characters Lana Crawford and Sky Mangel.
Neighbours was first broadcast on the Seven network on 18 March 1985, but the network famously axed it before it went on to be a worldwide hit for Ten, which picked it up the following year.
