Neighbours will air in a primetime slot on Channel 5 for its final ever episode, after 37 years of air-time.
The much-loved soap was axed from screens after its production company struggled to find a new home following Channel 5’s decision to drop the show.
The afternoon-time drama was responsible for launching the careers of household names, such as Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie.
It has also been reported that Kylie and Jason will be returning for the final ever episode, reuniting as much-loved characters Charlene and Scott, while Robbie will also return as Donna Freedman for the finale.
Here’s everything you need to know.
When will the last ever episode of Neighbours air?
The show’s finale was originally billed to screen on Monday, August 1, but it has now been brought forward to Friday, July 29 in the UK.
Channel 5 bosses have announced that the third-from-last Neighbours episode will also air that day in the usual 1.45 pm and 6 pm timeslots.
This will be followed by the big finale, broadcast as a double episode special at 9 pm the same evening.
The Neighbours finale has also been rescheduled in Australia.
The show’s home network Channel 10 has announced that it will air the final episodes in a 90-minute slot on Thursday, July 28 at 7.30 pm, simulcast on Channel 10 and 10 Peach.
What do we know about the final episode?
In a statement, Channel 5 teased: “In what is set to be a gripping and emotional finale, fan favourites from the past will be returning to Ramsay Street to celebrate with our Erinsborough locals, in a send-off that will have something for everyone, spanning all generations and decades from the opening scene in 1985, to the final episode in 2022.
“Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks about additional surprises to send off the iconic soap in style.”
Neighbours last aired in primetime in 2020, with a week of post-watershed specials on Channel 5 for the 35th anniversary.
Referencing the return of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, executive producer Jason Herbison tweeted: “Scott and Charlene are the ultimate Neighbours couple and it would not feel right to end the show without them.”
A-list actress Margot Robbie is also set to return to Neighbours as Donna Freedman, who she played from 2008 until 2011. Although Robbie couldn’t make it to Australia for the filming, it has been reported that she filmed a “special clip” that will be shown during the finale.
Why is Neighbours coming to an end?
Channel 5 announced that it would be dropping Neighbours from its schedule to free up time in order to fund original UK dramas.
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.”
When was Neighbours first on TV?
Neighbours launched in 1985, and is Australia’s longest-running drama, despite being more popular in the UK.
It was shown on BBC One until 2008, when it was moved to Channel 5.
