Iconic Aussie soap Neighbours has been axed again.
The hit show was originally axed in 2022 – with some of the original stars, including Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan returning for the final episode – only to be saved and put on air once again. The show returned in September 2023 thanks to Amazon.
Now it’s been axed again, with The Sun first reporting Freemantle and Amazon failed to come to terms with a new deal.
READ MORE: Wicked star Cynthia Erivo to host massive awards show
READ MORE: Nicole Kidman recalls being ‘terrified’ in rare parenting confession
In sad news for fans, the publication reported the final episode will air at the end of the year.
A source said it was “a really sad day especially for the cast and crew”.
Since then, Network 10, Freemantle and Amazon have confirmed the shock news in statements.
“Neighbours has brought so much joy over the last 40 years to its fanbase globally and in the UK,” the statement from an Amazon spokesperson read.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DGUG7qeyxLP/?igsh=aTJxM3g2cHZjdjNh
“Forty years is an incredible milestone and we are proud that Amazon MGM Studios was able to have a small part of bringing further episodes to Freevee and Prime Video customers over the last two years, spanning over 400 episodes.”
Network 10 confirmed the sad news in a statement on Friday, thanking fans for their support over the years and cast and crew who worked on the show.
“They’ve been our neighbours for almost 40 years, we’re so sad to be saying goodbye 💔Unfortunately, after nearly four decades of events on Ramsay Street, production of Neighbours will cease this year,” the network wrote in a post.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has contributed to this remarkable Australian story over the years, and we’re pleased to continue bringing you new episodes of Neighbours on Network 10 right through until December.”
READ MORE: Massive change coming to the James Bond film franchise
Network 10 added in a statement to media: “It is a mighty achievement that the series will reach the 40-year milestone next month. The program will be missed by the fans and the people who have been part of this amazing journey. We wish them well.”
Neighbours Executive Producer Jason Herbison added in part of a statement from Freemantle Media: “We value how much the fans love Neighbours and we believe there are more stories of the residents of Ramsay Street to tell in the future.”
The likes of beloved Aussie stars Guy Pearce, Ryan Moloney, Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher all returned for the revival.
Neighbours is one of Australia’s longest-running shows, having originally aired back in 1985.
For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here.
It helped launch the careers of some of the entertainment industry’s biggest names, including Minogue, who went on to launch a successful singing career from the show, Margot Robbie, Holly Valance and Pearce.
“Neighbours is being axed again!! Nooooo [crying emojis],” one fan wrote on X after the news broke.
Another added a shocked GIF and wrote: “Me finding out that Neighbours is being axed even though I haven’t watched it in nearly two decades.”
The show celebrated 40 years on air this year. Over the years, it had aired on Seven, Network 10, Eleven and Amazon.
Nine Entertainment Editor Richard Wilkins spoke about the axing on Today, saying it’s a huge loss for the Australian TV industry.
“Now this is, of course, a significant blow to the Australian television industry. All those people who work on the show and the fans who’ve watched it. Neighbours has had a rocky run over the past 40 years,” Wilkins said.
“Sad isn’t it?” he added.
FOLLOW US ON WHATSAPP HERE: Stay across all the latest in celebrity, lifestyle and opinion via our WhatsApp channel. No comments, no algorithm and nobody can see your private details.