Jason Donovan has teased a reunion with Kylie Minogue for the finale of Neighbours after bosses have confirmed an end date.
It’s the end of an era for Neighbours as bosses have announced it will cease production of the long-running Australian soap in June.
Commenting on the news, iconic star Jason said: “Well look I mean you know, it’s sad. You know there’s a day really goes by where I don’t really refer back to it so I’m very grateful for it, em, but this is not a premature moment.
"You know, this is 36 years of great television and 36 years, I think it’s 36, of putting Australia firmly on the map. I mean look at the careers that it’s launched.
"So I’m thinking of the positives and I’m thinking of the happiness and the affection and the love that the show has generated for the years it’s been on TV.”
The Australian singer and actor is currently in Ireland, having played 3 Olympia theatre this week after years of rescheduling.
Speaking to 98FM’s Big Breakfast hosts Rebecca and Brendan he also discussed the possibility of a return to the show before it comes to an end this summer.
“Well look I’m not going to say there hasn’t been a discussion about it because you know there is a possibility.
"But I can’t say it’s gonna happen because that wouldn’t be the truth you know so I don’t know is the answer to that.
"But I think this might be a little bit different so look let’s see you know but if it doesn’t happen, that doesn’t make me sad either.
"It’s a celebration of a great Australian television series and I’m.. well it’s kept my family in business for the past three decades.”
The future of the Aussie show, which has been running for 37 years, has been in doubt for weeks after their UK broadcaster Channel 5 revealed that it was dropping the show from its schedule to focus on British content.
The decision left producers with a funding gap, as the British network was a key broadcast partner in the series.
Despite fans holding out hope of finding a new broadcasting home to air on, bosses confirmed on Thursday that the show will not go on past this summer.
In a statement online, the official accounts for the long running soap said : "We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in the summer.
"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.
They added: "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."
Leading star Alan Fletcher, best known as Ramsay Street's Karl Kennedy said@ "It’s official @neighbours will end production in June this year. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the millions of fans all who have supported us for 37 years. Huge thanks to our broadcast partners @channel10au and @channel5_tv Stick with us as we #celebrateneighbours"
Dedicated fans were devastated by the news, with one saying: “I know there’s more important things going on in the world today, but this news is heartbreaking..Neighbours has been my half hour of escapism everyday since it first started. A sad day for the fans, actors and crew!”
“So sad, I've watched since the first episode. It's a real shame another channel won't take it,” another added.
The soapland drama based down under has been hugely popular on this side of the pond, with fans in Ireland and the UK tuning into the lives of the Ramsay Street residents for over 30 years.
Neighbours aired on Channel 5 for more than a decade, and was previously broadcast on the BBC.
The show launched the careers of huge stars including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie.
It has featured a number of familiar faces as guest stars in recent years, including Amanda Holden, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Ryan Thomas and Janet Street-Porter.
