The Neighbours theme tune is creeping towards the top spot on the iTunes charts as a former Neighbours star has called on the Australian government to save the soap.
This comes after Channel 5 announced that Neighbours will be dropped from the UK TV schedule after nearly four decades, to make way for increased investment in original British drama.
Ramsay Street fans have been left heartbroken by the news and launched a campaign to save the show from cancellation.
The hashtag #SaveNeighbours has been intermittently trending on Twitter in the wake of the shock announcement while the Barry Crocker theme tune has been racing up the iTunes chart.
The song has already raced up from the 102 spot to the 13th ranking of the top songs, after fans launched a mission to get the iconic track to the chart topping spot.
One Twitter user wrote: “What if we would all download the original Neighbours theme from Barry Crocker on iTunes & Spotify and try to get it in the charts to show how much we love it!
“Maybe that could help to raise more attention to how much we love and need @NeighboursTV in our lives.”
Another Neighbours fan has even launched a petition on change.org calling on Channel 5 to u-turn the decision to axe the soap.
The petition has already garnered nearly 40,000 signatures, with a goal total of 50,000.
The petition statement described the soap as “a staple” on UK screens for over 35 years, which has been watched by generations.
It reads: “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 - it is one of the most loved TV shows in the UK and brings lots of viewers from all backgrounds to Channel 5's catalogue of channels.
“Even Adele is a fan. Channel 5 - we plead with you - please find a way to keep Neighbours on air.”
This comes as former Neighbours star Rob Mills has called on the Australian government to support the soap as it searches for a new broadcaster..
Rob played Finn Kelly on Ramsay Street until last year and took to Instagram to share that he was "deeply saddened" the show could be axed.
He even encouraged Australian prime minister Scott Morrison to “throw us a bone”, writing: “As artists we will always find the light. But geez it's getting dark in this country. Would love to have a leader who valued #TheArts more in this country. Considering how much everyone has relied on them the last two years.”
Rob toninued: “I loved my time on this show. I met and worked with some incredibly talented and warm and generous people. Fingers crossed there's a solution.”
