Neighbours fans launch desperate bid to save the show
Dedicated Neighbours fans have launched a desperate plea to stop the show from facing cancellation.
Thousands of British viewers of the Aussie soap have signed a petition to "find a way to keep Neighbours on air" after news that UK network Channel 5 was withdrawing its partnership with Australian production company Fremantle Media.
The cancellation of the broadcast partnership has put the future of the series in jeopardy, with Channel 5 footing the majority of the production bill.
The change.org petition states that Neighbours has “been a staple on UK screens for over 35 years – and has been watched by generations”.
“Neighbours is more than just a TV show – it is a source of comfort and entertainment for generations of fans who have watched it for decades.”
The petition, which has racked up more than 16,000 so far, cited the series as “one of the most-loved TV shows in the UK”, adding that “even Adele is a fan”.
Neighbours draws around 1.5 million UK viewers daily, and up to 170,000 metro viewers in Australia.
Production on the show has been paused for Monday, with TV Tonight reporting that the cast and crew will be attending a meeting to discuss the situation and future of the show.
Network Ten says it stays "committed" to the series and is feeling "hopeful" a deal can be reached, but an email sent from Neighbours' executive producer Jason Herbison to staff on the set, paints a more bleak picture of the future of the show.
“As you know the future of the show has been uncertain for some time. Our audience remains steady and Channel 10 would love the show to continue if we could find another broadcast partner to replace C5,” Herbison wrote in the email that was published by The Daily Telegraph.
“These discussions are ongoing however there is no new broadcaster at the moment and production must end, effectively resting the show."
“We are so proud of the show, you all and everything that you’ve achieved. But for now, this chapter is closing and we want to work together to give Neighbours the amazing send-off it deserves.”
Image credits: Radio Times