Neighbours fans were left devastated earlier this year when the end of the soap was officially confirmed after Channel 5 announced in February it would stop airing the show.
Bosses issued a message to the soap's fans in which they apologised to Neighbours' loyal following and explained the reason behind its cancellation. And back in July, fans gathered around their TV screens to see emotional reunions, a joyful wedding and a nostalgic tribute as past and present stars completed the programme's 37-year run with a special double episode.
But all those tears and upset appear to have been for nothing as it has been revealed that Neighbours is set to return to screens in a shock twist with a brand new home.
The show first aired in 1985 and followed the cul-de-sac community of Ramsay Street within the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough. And now the iconic show is returning for a brand new series in 2023, it was revealed on Thursday (November 17).
Streaming service Amazon Freevee started conversations with Fremantle, and the platform will now be the home to the Australian soap. It will air exclusively for free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and USA, as well as hold streaming rights to thousands of episodes from the previous seasons.
The series will also stream on Prime Video in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Australia’s Network 10 will retain first-run rights in Australia for the new episodes.
And fans are already sharing their delight at the news. @dpkbell82 tweeted: "Thank you @AmazonFreevee for bringing back #neighbours!!! Amazing news!!" @MelissaJElias said: "I love an epic comeback story!!!!! #Neighbours." @lovegeorgie screamed: "I HAVE NO WORDS! I’M JUST SO HAPPY."
@GigglingNatalie wrote: "Omg!! Yeeeessss!!! Have missed my daily trip to Ramsay Street." @RickyOrr posted: "OH MY GOD OH MY GOD OH MY GOD! This is the best news to wake up to! The BEST! Welcome back @neighbours." @GwennoHaf shared: "I am sobbing with joy." @rach_lowa added: "BEST. NEWS. EVER!!!"
In the opening of the finale in July, it became clear Ramsay Street as the community once knew it is coming to an end as Susan Kennedy, played by Jackie Woodburne, looks at all the houses up for sale around her home. The double-episode special also featured star-studded cameos from Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie and singer Natalie Imbruglia. Another fan-favourite character to return to their old hunting ground is Mike Young, played by Guy Pearce, who shows his daughter Sam (Henrietta Graham) around the area.
The wedding of Melanie Pearson (Lucinda Cowden) and Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney) also provides moments of reunion and love as it sees the happy couple tie the knot, and brings Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou) and Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) back together, as well as girlfriends Chloe Brennan (April Rose Pengilly) and Elly Conway (Jodi Anasta).
As the residents of Ramsay Street are at the wedding, Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, who starred as couple Scott Robinson and Charlene Mitchell in the 1980s, make their long-awaited return to the cul-de-sac in a green mini with a Queensland number plate. After Toadie and Melanie’s wedding, the Kennedys surprise the happy couple with a video message from their friends throughout the years who could not make the big day.
Towards the end of the episode, as the Ramsay Street characters from past and present come together for one final time during the street party wedding reception, Susan makes a poignant speech. The end credits then showed a montage of photos from characters through the eras before a message appeared on the screen saying: “Thank you for loving us, we love you.”
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