Has NEIGHBOURS been axed?

The ratings have been terminal in both Australia and the UK for years.

The UK Sun is reporting that long-running Australian soap Neighbours has been cancelled, with its last episode to air in the UK in August 2022.

The story says that Fremantle Media Australia (makers of the show) have been in conversation with Channel 5 (UK broadcaster) to try to keep the show on air. The Australian production relies heavily on its UK broadcasting deal for funding, and it was recently moved from its long-held 5:30pm timeslot to make way for more news content.

The program originally aired in the UK on BBC One, before moving to Channel 5.

The Sun is also reporting that the producers are looking to lure Kylie Minogue back to Ramsay Street to reignite interest in the flagging series. Minogue got her break on Australian TV appearing as Charlene Robinson.

The series has been responsible for launching many careers locally and internationally, including Jason Donovan, Guy Pearce, Margot Robbie, and Alan Dale.

Neighbours was once the stalwart program the 10 Network, after they secured it from Seven who aired the show for less than a year before cancelling it. In 2011 the show was moved to the multi-channel Eleven (now 10 Peach) after struggling primary channel ratings meant it could not continue in its usual timeslot. With the move, the ratings figures in Australia more than halved.

Neighbours was inducted into the Logies Hall of Fame in 2005, the second show to be awarded the honour.

Both 10 and Fremantle Media Australia have been approached for comment.