The future of Neighbours hangs in the balance after Channel 5 announced it will stop broadcasting the hit Australian soap later this year.
Bosses at the channel said the programme will no longer feature on its schedule beyond the summer, and plans to invest more in original UK drama.
It was reported the longstanding TV show is said to be costing too much to film compared to the amount of money it pulls through advertising.
Despite the show being produced by Fremantle Australia, it is believed Channel 5 foots the majority of the bill.
Latest figures show Neighbours continues to pull in 1.2 million viewers in the UK every day.
A spokesperson for Channel 5 said: “Neighbours will no longer air on Channel 5 beyond this summer.
"It’s been a much-loved part of our schedule for more than a decade, and we’d like to thank the cast, Fremantle and all of the production team for their fantastic work on this iconic series.
“We’d also of course like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbours across the years.
"We recognise that there will be disappointment about this decision, however our current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama, which has strong appeal for our viewers.”
The programme has been on our screen for almost four decades - with stars such as Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie appearing over the years.
It is believed that Fremantle Australia is looking at ways to end the show in style, with plans to bring back pop sensation Kylie Minogue for a one-off special.
The 53-year-old singer kicked off her incredible career on the show when she played Charlene Robinson from 1986 to 1988.
A source told The Sun : “They are currently in the process of approaching a number of former cast members, including Kylie, to make a special return.
“If it’s the end, it would be something special to have her back in Ramsay Street one last time.”
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