After it was announced that the long-running Australian soap would end production in June, Kylie Minogue stated she would be “forever thankful” for her time on the show.
After losing its important UK broadcaster partner and failing to find other funding, the daytime drama has been cancelled.
Many performers’ careers were launched by the famous show, including Minogue’s when she joined in 1986 to play Charlene Robinson.
On Twitter, she paid respect to the show, writing: “I’ll be grateful for the experience and the friends I made on @neighbours for the rest of my life.
“We had no clue how popular the show would become or how deeply people would care about it.
“It’s pure love!” Madge’s voice is still ringing in my ears… CHARLENE!!!!”
Actors like Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie rose to prominence as a result of the drama of the people of Ramsay Street.
The show’s future had been in doubt since Channel 5 in the United Kingdom announced last month that it would no longer air it.
“We are so sorry to say that after over 37 years and approximately 9,000 episodes broadcast, we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June,” the show’s Twitter account said on Thursday.
“We simply have no choice but to put the show on hold following the loss of our important broadcast partner in the UK, despite a thorough hunt for alternative funding.”
“We know this is a big disappointment to our amazing, dedicated fans, as it is to all of us on the team. We appreciate all of your messages and support, and we pledge to end the programme on a positive note. We’ll be commemorating Neighbours from now on.”
Channel 5 claims that by cancelling the programme, money will be reallocated to original UK shows.
Neighbours, Australia’s longest-running drama series, premiered on the Seven network in 1985, but was cancelled before being taken up by Ten the following year, where it became a worldwide hit.
Since 2011, it has been shown on digital channel 10 Peach in Australia, with funding provided by the UK broadcaster.
