The future of Neighbours is in doubt after Channel 5 confirmed it will stop airing the Australian soap this year.
The drama, which launched the careers of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie, has been shown on UK TV for over 30 years.
The twists and turns of Ramsey Street, and the iconic Neighbours theme tune, have been a staple of Irish lives too, since it appeared on our screens in 1985.
In a statement Channel 5 said dropping the soap will allow funding to be used for 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."
The soap is more popular in the UK than in Australia, so the channel 5 decision has thrown its entire future into doubt.
In Australia Neighbours has been shown on digital channel 10 Peach since 2011, to a relatively small audience, and has been reliant on Channel 5 for funding.
An email to staff from Fremantle Media executive producer Jason Herbison, seen by the Sydney Morning Herald, said production will stop for an indefinite period because of a lack of financial backing.
Filming of Neighbours will continue until June 10th.
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