Neighbours fans are heartbroken after Channel 5 confirmed it will stop airing the Australian soap after this summer.
The much-loved daytime drama about the residents of Ramsay Street first aired on Australia's Seven network in 1985 and made its debut on the BBC the following year.
The future of the sunshine soap, which launched the careers of the likes of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Natalie Imbruglia and Hollywood star Margot Robbie, is now in doubt because its funding is reliant on the UK broadcaster.
Channel 5 has said dropping the soap will allow funding to be diverted to original UK dramas, leaving fans in tears.
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A petition 'Channel 5 - Don't Axe Neighbours' has been launched calling for Channel Five to reverse the decision.
And Jason Donovan, who played soap hunk Scott Robinson from 1986 to 1989, has pleaded for it to find a new home.
@davee_evans tweeted: "A crying shame."
@Danniishelleyxx said: "My mum crying cause neighbours is axed."
@Thomas1993 wrote: "No, YOURE crying in the pub reading about #Neighbours."
@ShakyWoon said with crying and heartbroken emojis: "Nooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!"
@callumowen98 said: "Absolutely heartbroken to hear about #Neighbours being axed, only hope is that another broadcaster picks it up soon, it's been that escapism that we've all needed in the last few years, it's been part of my life even before I started watching it #SaveNeighbours."
And @Lounaldo7 fumed: "#NEIGHBOURS IS BEING AXED FROM UK TV. I am raging. And heartbroken.
"Thanks @channel5_tv you horrible swines."
Actor and singer Jason, who went to have huge success as a pop star after his Neighbours role, tweeted: "@neighbours changed the Australian television landscape. It launched many careers over decades including mine.
"Engaged and entertained audiences for generations.
"Hoping that it will find a new home with another UK broadcaster and continue to provide opportunity and entertainment."
A spokesperson for the channel said: "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."
An email to staff from Fremantle Media executive producer Jason Herbison, seen by the Sydney Morning Herald, said production will stop for an indefinite period because of the lack of a broadcast partner to back it financially.
Staff have been asked to attend a meeting on Monday and filming will continue until June 10.
The email said: "Our audience remains steady and Channel Ten would love the show to continue if we could find another broadcast partner to replace [Channel 5].
"These discussions are ongoing, however there is no new broadcaster at the moment and production must end, effectively resting the show.
"We are so proud of the show, you all and everything that you've achieved. But for now, this chapter is closing and we want to work together to give Neighbours the amazing send-off it deserves."
Neighbours was shown on BBC One until 2008, when it moved to Channel 5.
It has featured a number of British guest stars including former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas, Men Behaving Badly's Neil Morrissey and The Pet Shop Boys.
