The date when Neighbours will air its final ever episode has been revealed, just as the Australian soap became the subject of a cruel April Fool stunt, which claimed it had been saved.
There was sadness across the world last month when it was confirmed that attempts from broadcaster Fremantle to find a new channel for the long-running show had failed, after Channel 5 had pulled the plug from showing it on the UK. Neighbours, which has made huge stars of the likes of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donoavan and Natalie Imbruglia. first broadcast in 1985 and originally aired over here on the BBC, with millions tuning in at lunchtime every day and then again for the teatime repeat.
Rumours that Neighbours was facing an uncertain future first circulated in February and now it has been confirmed that the final ever episode will go out on Monday, August 1, both in the UK and Australia. And the news came right before pranksters got devastated viewers' hopes up with an April Fool that Neighbours' future had been secured in a shock u-turn.
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An article which appeared on an Aussie TV website claimed that the soap had been 'thrown a lifeline,' and would be making the switch to Channel 7 in Australia, the broadcaster who first aired it 37 years ago. “Everybody needs good Neighbours,” said CEO James Warburton, “and the much-loved drama has no better friend than 7Plus.
“We are proud to welcome the show back home to the network where it all began." The story also added that Dannii Minogue would make her Neighbours debut as a long-lost Robinson relative, having initially shot to fame on rival soap Home and Away.
However, just as many fans assumed as they read more and more of the article, it ended 'Updated: Yup, annual April Fool’s Day post."
