Neighbours latest: Kylie Minogue leads tributes to Ramsay Street as legendary Aussie soap AXED after 37 years
CLASSIC Australian soap Neighbours will be AXED in June, the show has confirmed.
The future of the classic show – which had run on British TV for 37 YEARS – had been in doubt after Channel 5 last month confirmed it would stop airing episodes.
And on Thursday morning the show's Twitter account said: "We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June.
"Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK and despite an extensive search for alternative funding, we simply have no option but to rest the show.
"To our amazing, loyal fans, we know this is a huge disappointment, as it is to all of us on the team. We thank you for all your messages and support and promise to end the show on an incredible high. From here on, we are celebrating Neighbours."
The daytime drama about the residents of Ramsay Street launched the careers of stars including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie.
Global superstar Minogue said: “I’ll be forever grateful for the experience and the friends I made on Neighbours. We had no idea how big the show would become and how passionately viewers would take it to heart. Pure love! I can still hear Madge calling … CHARLENE!!!!”
Channel 5 said dropping the soap will allow funding to be diverted to original UK dramas.
Read our soap spoilers live blog for the latest updates…
- Joseph Gamp
Scott and Charlene's wedding one of the most watched TV moments of the eighties
Scott Robinson and Charlene Mitchell, played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, were Ramsay Street's power couple and favourites with the soap's viewers.
Their wedding was watched by more than two million Australian viewers when it first aired, and later pulled in an audience of almost 20 million when it was shown in the UK in 1988.
The ceremony became one of the most-watched TV moments of the decade.
Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan as Scott & Charlene in 1988Credit: Getty - Joseph Gamp
Neighbours was longest-ever running Australian drama series
The longest-running drama series on Australian television, Neighbours initially launched on the country's Seven network in 1985.
However the channel axed it before rival channel Ten picked it up the following year, where it became an international hit.
In Australia it has been shown on digital channel 10 Peach since 2011 and has been reliant on the UK broadcaster for funding.
Neighbours was shown on BBC One until 2008, when it moved to Channel 5.
It has featured a number of British guest stars in recent years, including Amanda Holden, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Ryan Thomas and Janet Street-Porter.
- Joseph Gamp
Channel 5: Dropping Neighbours will allow funding for original dramas
The daytime drama about the residents of Ramsay Street has been shown on UK television for more than 30 years and launched the careers of stars including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie.
Channel 5 said dropping the soap will allow funding to be diverted to original UK dramas.
The longest running drama series on Australian television, Neighbours initially launched on the country's Seven network in 1985, but the channel axed it before Ten picked it up the following year and it became an international hit.
In Australia it has been shown on digital channel 10 Peach since 2011 and has been reliant on the UK broadcaster for funding.
- Joseph Gamp
Neighbours is axed after 37 years
Neighbours has announced it will cease production of the long-running Australian soap in June.
The future of the show had been in doubt after Channel 5 last month confirmed it would stop airing the show.
And on Thursday morning the show's Twitter account said: "We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June.
"Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK and despite an extensive search for alternative funding, we simply have no option but to rest the show.
"To our amazing, loyal fans, we know this is a huge disappointment, as it is to all of us on the team. We thank you for all your messages and support and promise to end the show on an incredible high. From here on, we are celebrating Neighbours."
- Milica Cosic
That's it from me. I'm now handing the Soaps blog over to my colleague Joe Gamp, who shall be looking after it until 10pm tonight.
- Milica Cosic
Kylie Minogue pays emotional tribute to Neighbours soap
After nearly four decades on the air, the iconic show will end in June, 2022, as an official statement recently revealed.
Thankful for her big break in Neighbours, Kylie Minogue paid tribute to the beloved Australian soap on Twitter.
Kylie took to Twitter to pay tribute to the show that catapulted her into fame.
"I’ll be forever grateful for the experience and the friends I made on Neighbours", she wrote, adding: "We had no idea how big the show would become and how passionately viewers would take it to heart. Pure love! I can still hear Madge calling … CHARLENE!!!!"
Kylie's Tweet was met with an overwhelming amount of emotion as some viewers are begging her to make a return for the finale.
"Wish you'd come back one last time", one follower commented.
Another chimed in: "you and Jason Donovan need to return ASAP!!!!" while a third added: "please come back ONE LAST TIME."
- Milica Cosic
EastEnders’ Whitney has shocking reaction to Kush's murder
AS EastEnders fans get ready to see Gray Atkins' downfall, Shona McGarty has teased a huge shock.
Her character Whitney Dean could surprise viewers of the BBC One soap when she finds out the serial killer murdered her fiancé Kush.
Despite her ongoing vicious feud with Gray – with whom she was also romantically involved – Whitney has never considered him responsible for Kush's demise, according to actress Shona McGarty.
"She would never think [he murdered Kush], even though she knows about Chantelle. It just doesn't occur to her – it's not something she has thought about", she admitted.
"As far as she is concerned, Gray was at home at the time of Kush's death and she just believes it was an accident."
Shona went on: "Obviously the audience knows different, so hopefully she will get that information at some point."
But how will Whitney react if or even when she finds out the truth?
"She loved Kush. She's had some really rubbish relationships and she'd be devastated to find out what really happened to him."
Shona has teased a "really shocking" reaction from her character, letting EastEnders fans know she could be ready to do anything to avenge her other half.
- Milica Cosic
Ex EastEnders star Kara Tointon wows on red carpet
EastEnders Dawn Swann actress Kara Tointon looked completely different to the character that made her famous.
Kara looked chic on the red carpet of the star-studded Vanity Fair party in London.
The actress opted for a sleek black Filliarmi jumpsuit at the event to honour film, TV and broadcasting's upcoming stars.
Complete with a scalloped V shape neckline, sheer sleeves and flared trousers, the jumpsuit showed off Kara's toned figure.
Kara wore her hair in a bouncy side part and minimal silver jewellery.
Stylist to the star Kelvin Barron helped Kara put her sensational look together and described it as one of his favourites.
"One of my favourite looks with Kara to date," he wrote alongside a picture of the actress on his Instagram.
"This may just pip the post ? I envisaged sleek and sexy with an element of cool, with vavavoom makeup and effortless with effort hair."
Kara posed with Brassic star Michelle Keegan at the exclusive event on Tuesday night.
Other big names in attendance included Nicola Roberts, Mimi Keene, Emily Atack and EastEnder turned Hollywood star Ben Hardy.
- Milica Cosic
Inside Corrie star Charlie de Melo’s stylish home
CORONATION Street star Charlie de Melo has a cosy, stylish home that he shares with his two adorable Golden Retrievers.
The actor, who The Sun exclusively revealed last night has quit Coronation Street after five years, regularly shares pictures of dogs Toni and Sarah around the house.
Charlie's lounge has a solid wood floor, a sofa where his dogs often make themselves at home and a burner in the hearth.
There is exposed brickwork and a flat screen TV mounted on the wall, while at Christmas the main fire roared adding to the festive feel of the property.
- Milica Cosic
Corrie's Katherine Kelly & Julie Hesmondhalgh share sweet snap
CORONATION Street favourites Katherine Kelly and Julie Hesmondhalgh reunited for a sweet snap yesterday.
Becky McDonald actress Katherine called Julie, who played Hayley Cropper in the soap, "my favourite" as they both beamed cheek to cheek.
The pair acted on the cobbles together for six years, with Becky appearing from 2006 to 2012 while Julie spent 16 years on the show between 1998 and 2014.
Since leaving Corrie both actresses have landed major telly roles.
- Milica Cosic
Emmerdale fans LIVID as ‘worst couple in soap history’ get engaged
Last night's trip to Emmerdale left fans shocked as the character decided to propose to Marlon Dingle.
While Liv and Vinny may have received some support, many Emmerdale viewers weren't happy about Rhona's upcoming grand gesture and voiced their opinion on social media.
"Oh god, nooooooooooooooooooooo The worst matched couple in soap history. Spare us", one Twitter user wrote.
"Marriage bloody hell Rhona you're moving a bit fast ain't you considering you fell out with him on Monday", another penned.
A third contributed with: "I feel like this Rhona and Marlon stuff would have been way cuter if he hadn't been treating her like garbage for the past week or so."
A fourth one added: "Rhona and Marlon literally weren't even talking 5 minutes ago. To go from that to actually proposing within 24 hours kind of seems a bit rushed does it not? Why now? A sudden wedding isn't really going to magically fix what's clearly already broken in their relationship sadly."
Another fan commented: "How long are we giving the marriage?" while a fellow viewer penned: "That means it will be disastrous then."
- Milica Cosic
Emmerdale spoilers: Manpreet hits rock bottom
MANPREET Sharma hits rock bottom as twisted sister Meena Jutla takes horrifying revenge next week in Emmerdale.
Last month she returned to the village to cause havoc again and decided the best way to do that was to take Billy and Dawn Fletcher hostage.
Days later fans rejoiced after she finally charged with her vile crimes.
Meena has already seen vicar Charles Anderson and now wants to see her sister in jail.
When she finally gets to sit down and talk to her sibling, she's shocked with what she asks her to do…
Meena asks her sister to tell the cops that she has to tell the police that she's been covering for Liam Cavanagh. However this doesn't go down well with Manpreet and she slaps her on the face out of anger.
Although it all seems fine between the pair as Meena suddenly has a change of heart and says she'll tell the police the truth.
Manpreet returns to the village to tell Charles the good news, not knowing what Meena is doing behind her back.
The sinister health care worker tells the cops that she didn't kill Andrea, and it was her sister who did it. Manpreet later receives a phone call to come into the station for questioning.
Will the police believe Meena's lies?
- Milica Cosic
EastEnders spoilers: Bailey Baker plots
BAILEY Baker plots to reunite Karen Taylor and Mitch Baker next week in EastEnders.
In upcoming scenes of the BBC soap, the 12-year-old makes it her mission to get them back together.
She asks her older brother Keegan to help reignite their flame.
The two end up recreating their first ever date.
Will romance be in the air? And, will Bailey's plan work?
- Milica Cosic
Tipping Point contestant reveals role on Hollyoaks
TIPPING Point fans have been left open-mouthed after a contestant revealed she'd had a role on Hollyoaks – before getting a question about the soap wrong.
Tuesday's edition of the ITV quiz show saw Denise reveal she was a TV extra and had appeared in a number of UK soaps.
So when she was asked: "The Dog in the Pond is a fictional pub in which British soap opera?" viewers could have been forgiven for assuming she would know the answer straightaway.
However Denise didn't know the pub in question was part of Hollyoaks and instead chose Emmerdale incorrectly. Despite the slip up, Denise made it through to the head to head and host Ben Shephard asked a bit more about her extra work.
He said: "You’re a TV extra Denise, is there anything I might have seen you in?"
Denise said she had been in Coronation Street, and Ben replied: "Oh really? Nice… you've never done Hollyoaks though? You didn't know the pub in Hollyoaks."
But Denise sheepishly said: "I've done it once, I have."
As she laughed a stunned Ben said: "No you haven't! Don't tell me you were in the pub as well!"
Denise replied: "No I wasn't, no. We didn't do a pub scene so, I don’t really watch Hollyoaks but I was asked to go and do Hollyoaks, and I thought I don't believe this."
Ben joked: "That’s showbiz, that’s how it works!"
- Milica Cosic
Good morning
Milica Cosic logging on and bringing you all the latest gossip, news and spoilers on your favourite soaps.
- Louis Allwood
Hollyoaks spoiler: Ella gets heart-breaking news
Leah and Cleo's support is far from unwelcome.
Indeed, already put under pressure by the fact she is to become a mother at such a young age, Ella is also clashing with baby daddy Charlie Dean (Charlie Behan).
She isn't impressed by his immature attitude when they both clash over the timing of the appointment for her first scan.
Ella is eventually pushed by Leah to give him an ultimatum.
But while Cleo is setting him straight Ella gets some devastating news.
- Louis Allwood
Emmerdale fans launch petition for serial killer Meena Jutla spin-off show
WHILE her exit from Emmerdale looms closer, Meena Jutla hatches one last plan to wreak chaos.
However, viewers of the ITV soap are begging for a spin-off show featuring the serial killer, with a petition.
Paige Sandhu has made quite the impression with Emmerdale fans as sinister nurse Meena.
While her crimes may have outraged some viewers who have complained to Ofcom, the character has found fans who can't get enough of her.
An online petition has been launched on Change.org and now begs TV bosses to come up with a spin-off programme for Meena, adequately dubbed Meenadale.
According to them, and despite her quitting the main show in a few months, Paige Sandhu is keen to get involved.
"Many viewers of Emmerdale have felt that serial killer Meena Jutla has been the most interesting part of Emmerdale for a while now, and have expressed their wish for a spin-off series centred around her. Actress Paige Sandhu agrees", the petition reads.
- Louis Allwood
Real-life siblings Rebecca and Jack James Ryan look unrecognisable in throwback
REAL-LIFE siblings Rebecca Ryan and Jack James Ryan have followed in each other's footsteps in the cobbles.
The Jacob Hay actor shared an adorable snap with his sister on Instagram and the Coronation Street stars look unrecognisable.
Jack, 25, is known for playing bad boy Jacob and made his first appearance in the ITV soap in February, 2021, amid a shocking storyline involving Simon Barlow.
Months later, in December, 2021, his off-screen sister Rebecca took on the role of Underworld PR Lydia Chambers, and the siblings have been crossing paths at work ever since.
- Louis Allwood
Coronation Street star Sam Robertson signs new deal to remain as Adam Barlow
CORONATION Street hunk Sam Robertson has signed a new deal – despite recently admitting he was close to quitting the soap.
The actor – who plays lawyer Adam Barlow in the ITV soap – has agreed to stick around in Weatherfield for another year, The Sun can exclusively reveal.
A source said: “Sam is a huge talent and bosses are thrilled he’s signed a new contract.
“He’s got some explosive storylines coming up with Adam facing losing everything because of his deranged ex Lydia.”
The news could come as a surprise for Corrie fans as Sam recently hinted he could quit the soap after struggling with playing the character for so long.
- Louis Allwood
Inside Coronation Street star Tina O’Brien’s gorgeous Manchester home
CORONATION Street star Tina O'Brien's happy Manchester home is worlds away from her character Sarah Platt's pad on the cobbles.
The soap star, 38, who has played Sarah-Louise Platt in the ITV soap since 1999, has a keen eye for stylish interior design.
Tina shares her home with husband Adam Crofts, 36, their son Beau, seven, and daughter Scarlett, 13, who she co-parents with ex Ryan Thomas.
The beauty's three-storey pad is up to show home standards with tasteful decor and lots of trendy features throughout.
- Louis Allwood
The end could be near for Chelsea
Could this be the end for Chelsea as Gray Atkins traps her in upcoming episodes for pleading with him to tell the truth.
Gray is being threatened by Shirley Carter (Linda Henry) who has found out the truth about his involvement in Tina's death.
In a panic, he calls Chelsea, telling her to come home straight away as he is planning for them to get away from Albert Square for a few weeks.
Gray refuses to explain any further but Chelsea grows suspicious when she hears Shirley banging on the door at the other end of the line.
Later on, Chelsea is urged to return home by a troubling voicemail from Kheerat Panesar (Jaz Deol) as the latter has tried to protect her from Gray's murderous ways.
Rushing over to Jordan, Chelsea finds that someone has taken her son and rushes home.
However, upon returning home, the beautician is stunned to see Gray waiting for her.
She demands to know the truth about his actions but whether Gray agrees to come clean or not remains to be seen.
The confrontation turns sour and may be the last thing Chelsea ever does.
- Louis Allwood
Danniella Westbrook’s daughter Jodie Jenkins eyes up EastEnders stint
DANNIELLA Westbrook's daughter Jodie Jenkins revealed she would love to follow in her mum's footsteps and star in EastEnders.
The 20-year-old has had a lifelong ambition to be an actress but has been taken away from that goal in recent years.
She told the Daily Star: "I grew up with my goal to be an actress or in West End musicals.
"I did a few musicals in school but I was going to go to Sylvia Young and follow in my mum's footsteps. But media and advertising took me completely away from that."
Though Jodie worries it might be seen as unfair if she lands a role ahead of aspiring actors and actresses who are still learning their craft.
She continued: "I mean I would definitely consider but I don't know if I've got the capacity in talent to do it, I mean I would absolutely love to, but I think there are better-qualified people out there."
- Louis Allwood
Kimberly Hart-Simpson posts first pic back on set
Kimberly Hart-Simpson's return to the Street as former sex worker Nicky Wheatley is imminent.
The actress shared a selfie of the Coronation Street set on Instagram, contributing to the excitement of fans.
The actress can be seen smiling, dressed in the usual red ITV jacket every soap star is given on set, as she stands in front of a Co-op shop.
"Bouncers on Corrie's Co-op", Kimberly writes, proving that Coronation Street viewers can expect her on their screens soon.
- Louis Allwood
Emmerdale actresses crowned as hardest working soap stars
New research from OLBG, analysed historical TV data to discover how many episodes each actor has been in, highlighting the hardest working actor of 2021 and of all time.
Taking first place as the hardest working actor in 2021 is Emmerdale’s resident landlady, Chas Dingle (Lucy Pargeter), who appeared in 128 episodes in 2021.
In second place is Gabby Thomas (Rosie Bentham) who is currently entangled in family drama.
Looking at the hardest working soap actors of all time, the only Emmerdale star to make it to the top 15 is Chris Chittell (in the role of Eric Pollard) ranking 11th – with a total of 2,888 appearances.
- Louis Allwood
Emmerdale’s Charley Webb teases comeback
EMMERDALE'S Charley Webb has teased her TV comeback after quitting Debbie Dingle role.
The actress – who played the character on the ITV soap for nearly two decades- said that she would be returning to our screens at some point in the future.
During an Instagram Q&A, a fan asked if she would be returning to acting anytime soon.
She replied: "When the right thing comes to me, I'll be back. Can't wait."
But the star did not confirm if she's landed any other roles just yet or if she plans on making a return to The Dales one day.
Charley confirmed she quit her role of Debbie a year ago.
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