Fans across the world have been left devastated by the news that classic soap opera Neighbours is 'facing the axe', after nearly 40 years on TV.
The shock news was broken by The Sun on Saturday night, with a source claiming: “The cast and crew in Melbourne haven’t been told about the decision. They will be devastated. Neighbours is an institution people grew up with.”
The paper added that bosses at Channel 5, the broadcaster who air it in the UK, have been locked in talks with producers at Fremantle Australia to try and safeguard the much loved show's future, but a deal has yet to be struck.
Australia based Neighbours made its debut in 1985 and in its hey day in the late 80s and early 90s, was one of the biggest shows in the UK, making huge stars of the likes of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.
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For years it aired twice a day on BBC1, with many people tuning into both editions, despite the fact it was the same episode.
The marriage of Kylie and Jason's characters, Scott and Charlene remains one of the memorable and most watched soap weddings in British TV, while other big names to spend time on Ramsey Street include Guy Pearce, Natalie Imbruglia, hotly tipped to be Panda on The Masked Singer; Holly Valance and Delta Goodrem.
All of them have long since flown the nest but Neighbours legend Paul Robinson, played by Stefan Dennis, remains on the show after to switch to Channel 5.
The Sun adds that soap bosses are now looking how to bring the show, which still pulls in 1.2million UK viewers every day, to an end.
Memorable stories over the years include the deaths of Jim Robinson and Helen Daniels, Kerry Bishop being shot dead by a duck hunter, her dad Harold Bishop going missing then coming back believing he was someone else, fan favourite Todd Landers being knocked over and killed by a van and Toadie and Dee's car plunging into the sea after they got married.
And then fans will never forget the bizarre dream episode involving Ramsey Street dog Bouncer.
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