Hit Aussie show ‘Neighbours’ faces the axe

The Australian soap opera that helped launch the careers of Kylie Minogue, Margot Robbie and Russell Crowe faced an uncertain future Monday, with Neighbours finding few friends in the television industry.

After almost 9,000 episodes, the Melbourne-based show is struggling to find a broadcaster in Britain – where it has enjoyed a cult following for the past 36 years.

Current UK broadcaster Channel 5 will not carry the programme after June 2022, forcing producers to pull the plug unless a replacement is found.

‘Neighbours’ launched Kylie Minogue’s career. Photo: Jamie Mccarthy/Getty Images North America/Getty Images via AFP

“As you know, the future of the show has been uncertain for some time,” a top producer told cast and crew Sunday, in a memo obtained by AFP.

Australia’s “Channel 10 would love the show to continue if we could find another broadcast partner to replace C5”, the message said.

“These discussions are ongoing however there is no new broadcaster at the moment and production must end, effectively resting the show.”

“We are so proud of the show, you all and everything that you’ve achieved. But for now, this chapter is closing and we want to work together to give...