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Australian soap Neighbours axed for good by Fremantle after 37 years on air

Television series Neighbours has been axed after Fremantle Media failed to find a new home for the long-running soap.

A Network 10 spokesperson told Mumbrella: “Today, Fremantle confirmed that Neighbours will cease production in June. This difficult decision came after the search for an alternative UK broadcast partner proved unsuccessful. Network 10 confirms that Neighbours will not air on 10 Peach beyond September 2022.”

“A much-loved stalwart of our program schedule for over 35 years it has been a staple of Australian television drama, and Australian cultural exports.

“Ramsay Street, Erinsborough, is a cul-de-sac recognised all over the world and has been home to Scott and Charlene, Des and Daphne, Dr Karl and Susan, Dee and Toadie, Aaron and David and many, many more neighbours.

A spokesperson continued: “Network 10 thanks the cast, crew, all the production team and Fremantle for bringing the perfect blend of soap and sunshine to audiences in Australia and around the world.

“We thank the Australian fans and audiences for their continued support of the series. Their encouragement particularly in the past few weeks has been incredible. It shows that our audience still want Australian scripted drama. We have listened to them and there are exciting new local projects in the pipeline, which is great for our audience and for the local industry.

“We are confident that the cast, crew and writers will bring their distinctive warmth, style and humour to the Neighbours set as they embark on filming the final episodes over the coming months.”

A Freemantle spokesperson told Mumbrella: “Everyone at Neighbours has been overwhelmed by the love and support from the audience since the news came out. The show has brought a sunny slice of Australia into the homes of millions of viewers around the world launching the careers of dozens of household names along way. But as this chapter of Ramsay Street comes to a close, we promise to do everything we can to give the show the send-off it deserves.”

After nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast, the television series will cease production in June.

Ten said that following the loss of its key broadcast partner in the UK and despite an extensive search for alternative funding the network, “simply have no other option but to rest the show.”

Neighbours was first broadcast on Seven on 18 March 1985, but the network axed it before it went on to be a UK hit for Ten.

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