Fans of the Channel 5 show Neighbours will know by now that the Australian soap has announced its cancellation. Whilst the final episode of the show has already aired in Australia the last episode is yet to air in the UK and will be aired in the summer.
The decision to cancel Neighbours comes after Channel 5 pulled its funding for budget reasons. Neighbours first aired in the UK on October 27, 1986 starting with the pilot episode.
The TV show made its debut on BBC1 and was broadcast there for over 21 years until 2008. Following this, the show moved to be broadcasted on Channel 5 and has aired on the channel ever since.
Soon after its debut, it gained a loyal audience. It has made historic moves throughout its broadcasting. For example in 1988 Neighbours became the only television show to have its entire cast flown over to the UK to make an appearance at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen.
Read more: Margot Robbie sends champagne to Neighbours set on final day of filming
The last episode of the show in the UK is set to air on Monday, August 1 on Channel 5.
Who is returning to Neighbours’ final episode
Neighbours are responsible for helping to launch the career of singer Kylie Minogue as she was an actor on the show. The Dancing singer played Charlene Robinson on the show from 1986 to 1988.
The longest-running drama series on Australian television, Neighbours also helped actor and singer Jason Donovan with his career as he was also one of the early cast members.
Donovan played Scott Robinson in Neighbours. Actor Guy Pearce was also a member of the Neighbours cast in its early days and joins Minogue and Donovan in appearing in the special episode. He played Mike Young in the show.
This farewell episode is the trio’s first appearance on the show in 37 years, so should be a nostalgic episode for fans who have been watching from the start.
Other favourite cast members set to return include Peter O'Brien as Shane Ramsay, Ian Smith as Harold Bishop, Mark Little as Joe Mangel and Paul Keane as Des Clarke. Natalie Bassingthwwaighte will be returning to the role of Izzy Hoyland along with 2000s co-stars Chris Milligan as Canning, Morgan Baker as Callum Rebecchi, James Mason as Chris Pappas Pippa Black as Elle Robinson and Jordan Patrick Smith as Andrew Robinson.
More recent cast members set to make a return include Olympia Valance as Paige Smith, Jodi Anasta as Elly Conway, Zoe Cramond as Amy Williams and Kate Kendall as Lauren Turner. Ben Hall as Ned Willis, Olivia Junkeer as Yashvi Rebecchi and Zima Anderson as Roxy Willis are also set to return to the Ramsey Street set for the finale.
The regular cast set to star include the longest-running cast members, Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne as Karl and Susan Kennedy, Stefan Dennis as Paul Robinson and Ryan Moloney as Toadfish Rebechi who has started on the soap since 1995.
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