'Loyal' Neighbours fans are sticking with show until the very end, as it faces the axe later this year.
Despite uncertainty of the future of the beloved Aussie soap, viewers have vowed to keep watching, even though it looks likely the show will end.
It was announced last week that bosses at Channel 5 had decided to pull the plug on their contract with the producers of the soap, Fremantle.
The show airs twice on Channel 5 - during the day and again in the evening - and usually draws a daily average audience of more than 700,000, but even though figures have remained high, Channel 5 have opted to pull the plug on funding production on the long-running show.
“It looks like fans will stay with Neighbours until the end,” a source told the Daily Star.
The soap has a small audience in Australia, where the show is based and filmed, and is created mainly for viewers in the UK, where it’s been on air for 37 years.
Channel 5 footed the bill for the production costs, and even though the viewing figures have remained high over the years, they have opted not to renew their contract, and will focus on British drama instead.
The channel will air episodes until August 2022.
There are real fears that unless another broadcaster comes in to fund the pricey production costs, Neighbours will be forced to end.
Fans have taken to social media in their thousands to ramp up support to save their beloved soap opera, and a petition to help the show stay on the air has been signed by more than 45,000 people.
“I’ve watched Neighbours for my entire life. It’s brought me joy, escapism and comfort when I’ve needed it. It’s introduced me to many amazing people who care so deeply about the show. It’s more than just a TV show for me and many others, it’s a community. #SaveNeighbours,” one fan tweeted.
“I'll take a smaller cast, fewer location shots and even fewer episodes if it means it continuing #SaveNeighbours,” a viewer suggested.
“People tease me for loving it, and I tease it, but I love it. It brings a daily dose of escapism, nostalgia and joy to so many people, myself included...I would genuinely be heartbroken by the prospect of never seeing it again,” one devastated fan wrote.
A distraught viewer added: “Neighbours was the first scripted TV show IN THE WORLD to resume production during covid. My heart breaks for the talented bunch of people who make this show. #SaveNeighbours.”
