The final episode of Neighbours will air on the same day in the UK and Australia, with the show’s Australian broadcaster confirming that it will air on Monday, August 1st.
After 37 years on our screens, Neighbours is gearing up for its farewell episode.
After UK broadcaster Channel 5 decided not to renew its agreement to run the show, it was revealed earlier this year that it would be terminating after more than three decades.
Because Channel 5 contributes a large portion of the show’s budget and production company Fremantle was unable to find another foreign broadcaster to take its place, the show’s production was halted in June, with the final episode showing in the United Kingdom in August.
Because Australian broadcaster 10 Peach decided to only air four episodes per week, the UK broadcasts went ahead of Australia for the first time in the show’s history at the start of 2022, although Channel 5 continued to carry the show from Monday to Friday.
Fans in the show’s home nation were concerned that they would see the last episode up to two months after it aired in the UK, with the distance between the two countries rising by one episode each week.
Now, 10 Peach has announced that beginning in mid-June, they would be doubling up on programmes, allowing both nations’ broadcasts to be synchronised in time for the last show on August 1st.
“Friends of Ramsay St can tune in to twice the fun, double the action with double episodes starting Monday June 13 to mark the final season of Neighbours,” a Network 10 representative said in a statement to TV Tonight.
“On Monday, August 1st, the ultimate series finale will air.”
The show’s demise was formally revealed on Twitter at the beginning of March:
“It is with sadness that we confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June after over 37 years and nearly 9000 episodes broadcast,” Fremantle stated in a statement released this morning.
“We presently have no choice but to put the show on hold following the loss of a key broadcast partner in the UK, despite our efforts to find alternative funding.”
“Since the news broke, everyone at Neighbours has been touched by the outpouring of love and support from the audience. The show has transported a sunny piece of Australia into the homes of millions of people across the world, launching the careers of dozens of well-known celebrities in the process. But, as this chapter of Ramsay Street draws to a conclusion, we pledge to do everything we can to give the programme the proper send-off.”
Producers are finalising plans for a big send-off four months before the show’s final episode.
“We are very proud of the show, you all, and everything that you’ve accomplished,” executive producer Jason Herbison said in February. But, for the time being, this chapter is coming to a close, and we’d like to work together to give Neighbours the send-off it deserves.”
As the show approaches its final episodes, there will be a number of guest appearances and exits in the coming months.
Ian Smith is expected to reprise his role as Harold Bishop, and he can be seen standing outside Harold’s Cafe in a video commemorating the show’s 37th anniversary. He is said to have started filming in March, so his on-screen return is expected in May.
The cast of Neighbours is apparently in talks with other ex-cast members to return for the final episodes, with Peter O’Brien reprising his role as Shane Ramsay, according to The Sun.
Tim Robards will reprise his role as Pierce Greyson in extra scenes shot in Sydney’s Bondi district, while Melissa Bell will reprise her role as Lucy Robinson.
For the final episodes, not all of the present characters will be in Erinsborough. Chris Milligan and Zima Anderson’s final scenes as Kyle and Roxy have already been announced, and their on-screen departure will air in the coming weeks as the couple makes the decision to leave to Darwin.
Ben Hall is also said to have finished filming his final scenes as Ned Willis, with his departure set to screen in May.
Neighbours airs on Channel 5 in the UK at 1:45pm and 6pm Monday to Friday, and on 10 Peach in Australia at 6:30pm Monday to Thursday.
