Neighbours ‘facing axe after nearly 40 years on air’
Neighbours ‘is facing the AXE after 37 years on screen… with bosses approaching soap’s biggest stars to see show off with a bang’
The Australian soap, which still gets 1.2million UK viewers per day, has been on the air in Oz since 1985 but producers and Channel 5 are said to be looking at options to keep it on screen, three years before its 40th anniversaryAlthough the show is filmed Down Under, UK broadcaster Channel 5 foots most of the production billThe advertising revenue brought in by the programme does not match up to the outgoings, according to reportsBosses are said to be looking at seeing it off with a bang with the return of a legendary stars such as Kylie Minogue The soap has also seen a number of international stars set foot on the Melbourne set, including Russell Crowe, Margot Robbie, Natalie Imbruglia, Delta Goodrem, Liam Hemsworth, and Holly Valance
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Neighbours is reportedly facing the chop after nearly four decades on television screens.
The Australian soap, which still gets 1.2million UK viewers per day, has been on the air in Oz since 1985 but producers and Channel 5 are said to be looking at options to keep it on screen, three years before its 40th anniversary.
Although the show is filmed Down Under, UK broadcaster Channel 5 foots most of the production bill and the advertising revenue brought in by the programme does not match up to the outgoings, The Sun reports.
End of an era? Neighbours is reportedly facing the chop after nearly four decades on television screens (Jason Donavan and Kylie Minogue pictured on show in 1988)
Bosses are said to be looking at seeing it off with a bang with the return of a legendary star such as Kylie Minogue.
A source said: ‘Channel 5 pay Fremantle Australia many millions of pounds every year and, sadly, there’s a shortfall of about £5million in what it brings back in through advertising.
‘There’s a lot of disbelief and sadness among those who know it’s struggling.
‘They are currently in the process of approaching a number of former cast members, including Kylie, to make a special return.’
Legendary TV: The Australian soap, which still gets 1.2million UK viewers per day, has been on the air in Oz since 1985 (Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne star as Karl and Susan Kennedy)
MailOnline has contacted Channel 5 and Fremantle for comment.
Speculation the serial could be facing the chop has been mounting for a while, with Fremantle and Australian network Channel 10 also struggling to come to a deal.
Channel Ten announced the show would be slashed down to four episodes a week instead of five in July last year.
‘From July 26, Neighbours will air four nights a week. On Fridays, viewers can laugh along with their favourite Friends,’ a spokesperson told TV Tonight at the time.
International audience: The soap first hit UK television screens in 1986 when it was shown on BBC One, a year after it launched in Australia
At the ti,e. Channel 5 also announced it would be cutting broadcasts of Neighbours and Home and Away from five nights a week to just two due to the Covid pandemic.
And an alleged insider told Woman’s Day that the soap could be in trouble: ‘Channel 5 aren’t happy. They think the show is stale. They’re deciding whether to continue the show or not.’
‘I can’t stress how much this move shows Neighbours is no longer the powerhouse in the UK that it once was. Many believe this is the beginning of the end.’
The soap first hit UK television screens in 1986 when it was shown on BBC One.
Two years later, nearly 20million viewers switched on to watch Scott (Jason Donovan) and Charlene (Kylie) get married.
Telling the tale: The show has featured some gripping storylines involving characters such as Madeleine West and Ryan Moloney’s Dee Bliss and Toadie Rebecchi
That year, Kylie left the show to launch her legendary pop career, with Jason quitting a year later to break out as a singer himself.
The Kylie and Jason public obsession reached fever pitch when the couple got together in real life and they had a hit record together, Especially For You.
But superstardom beckoned for Kylie and a new relationship with INXS front man, the late Michael Hutchence, soon put an end to the Kylie and Jason fairy tale.
Jason later hit a rough patch due to alcohol and drug abuse but has since regained an image befitting of his alter Neighbour’s ego Scott.
Hollywood star: Margot Robbie (pictured in Neighbours, right) has since hit the big time starring in blockbuster movies
Playing the part: Liam launched his career playing wheelchair-bound hunk Josh Taylor (right) on the street from 2007 to 2008 (pictured left in 2020)
Multi talented: Holly Valance left her role as Felicity ‘Flick’ Scully in 2002 to pursue a music career and scored a hit with Kiss Kiss
The soap has also seen a number of international stars set foot on the Melbourne set, including Russell Crowe, Margot Robbie, Natalie Imbruglia, Delta Goodrem, Liam Hemsworth, and Holly Valance.
Russell played ex-con Kenny Larkin in four episodes in the eighties, while Liam launched his career playing wheelchair-bound hunk Josh Taylor on the street from 2007 to 2008.
Margot started her on screen life as Donna Freeman in Neighbours 2008 and Natalie left her role as Beth Brennan and kissed goodbye to her onscreen surfer-dude husband Brad Willis to launch a singing career in 1997.
Delta, who played Nina Tucker, has since been a coach on Australia’s The Voice and has had eight number one singles and three number one albums in Australia and sold over six million albums worldwide
Holly left her role as Felicity ‘Flick’ Scully in 2002 to pursue a music career and scored a hit with Kiss Kiss.
Suoerstar: Delta Goodrem, who played Nina Tucker, has since been a coach on Australia’s The Voice and has had eight number one singles and three number one albums in Australia and sold over six million albums worldwide
Film veteran: Russell played ex-con Kenny Larkin in four episodes in the eighties
Screen life: Natalie left her role as Beth Brennan and kissed goodbye to her onscreen surfer-dude husband Brad Willis to launch a singing career in 1997
