Fans of Neighbours have been dealt yet another setback, with producers claiming that the show will be cancelled permanently.
After Channel 5 confirmed it will no longer be displayed on UK screens, Fremantle Media was keen to find a new broadcaster for the Australian serial, which has been a household staple since 1985. However, they claim they have been unable to do so.
It means that after an astonishing forty-year run, the much-loved family soap will come to an end this summer.
Fans of the show in the United Kingdom will be heartbroken to see Ramsay Street disappear, especially since the show’s theme song just dethroned Ed Sheeran in the charts.
Kylie Minogue, Liam Hemsworth, Jason Donovan, Alan Dale, and Margot Robbie star in Neighbours, which was first broadcast on BBC One until 2008 before switching to Channel 5.
After Channel 5 announced plans to cancel the soap, Fremantle Media says they searched extensively for a new home for it.
According to The Sun Fremantle, the production firm is expected to announce tomorrow (March 3) that they have been unable to find a new home for the show.
“Fremantle have not commented on the subject since the news about Channel 5 leaked,” an insider told The Sun. They tried everything they could to get funds from other networks, but they were unable to salvage the soap.
“The announcement will clarify that the soap will end this summer, and that they have been overwhelmed by the love and support from the public since the news surfaced,” says the press release.
“There’s a lot of behind-the-scenes effort going on to make the final few weeks of Neighbours genuinely unique.”
“A number of past stars have yet to respond, but Peter has decided to return, and filming will begin in May.”
Harold Bishop will be played by Ian Smith again, and Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan have also been requested to return.
According to The Sun, Peter O’Brien will reprise his role as Shane Ramsay.
Fans are still fighting to preserve the show, and a Change.org petition currently has over 61,000 signatures.
