Neighbours facing the axe after nearly four decades on our TV screens

NEIGHBOURS is facing the axe after nearly four decades on our TV screens Producers of the hit Aussie soap, which began in March 1985, are said to be looking at options in a bid to keep it going — just three years short of its 40th anniversary. Bosses at Channel 5 have spent weeks in […]

NEIGHBOURS is facing the axe after nearly four decades on our TV screens

Producers of the hit Aussie soap, which began in March 1985, are said to be looking at options in a bid to keep it going — just three years short of its 40th anniversary.

Rex Features

Neighbours has been axed after nearly four decades on TV (pictured Jason Donovan as Scott and Kylie Minogue as Charlene)[/caption]

Bosses at Channel 5 have spent weeks in talks with producers at Fremantle Australia to try to find a way to keep the much-loved soap on air — but a deal has yet to be struck.

Although Neighbours is also shown in Australia, Channel 5 foots most of the production bill.

The soap — set in Ramsay Street — is said to be costing too much to film compared with the advertising revenue it brings in for the channel.

Everyone involved in the production is said to be pulling out all the stops to safeguard its future.

But if the long-running drama — which still pulls in 1.2million UK viewers every day — has to end, bosses are also looking at ways they can do it in style.

One plan is to lure pop sensation Kylie Minogue — who began her career on the soap as tomboy mechanic Charlene Robinson — to make a return.

Insiders say they hope she will make a special one-off guest appearance.

A source said: “Channel 5 pay Fremantle Australia many millions of pounds every year and, sadly, there’s a shortfall of about £5million in what it brings back in through advertising.

“There’s a lot of disbelief and sadness among those who know it’s struggling.

“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 really would be something special to have her back in Ramsay Street one last time.”

Neighbours was first shown on BBC1 in 1986.

Nearly 20million UK viewers tuned in two years later to see Scott, played by Jason Donovan, and Charlene, played by Kylie, get wed.

Kylie, 53, left that year to launch her pop career and Jason, also 53, the year after.

Not known, clear with picture desk

The soap — set in Ramsay Street — is said to cost too much to film compared with the advertising revenue it brings in for the channel[/caption]

Rex Features

The soap started in March 1985 and will come to an emotional end in August — three years short of its 40th anniversary[/caption]

Photoshot

Kylie left Neighbours in 1988 to launch her pop career[/caption]