Ireland’s RTÉ ‘in talks’ with Neighbours’ production company Fremantle over iconic Australian soap’s future after Channel 5 axe
Ireland’s RTÉ is ‘in talks’ with Neighbours’ production company Fremantle about the future of the Australian soap.
Channel 5 bosses confirmed on Saturday the show will no longer be aired by the broadcaster beyond this summer, after ending its decades-long association with the iconic Aussie serial.
A spokesperson for RTÉ told MailOnline on Monday: ‘RTÉ is currently in talks with Fremantle in relation to Neighbours.’
Hope: Ireland’s RTÉ is ‘in talks’ with Neighbours’ production company Fremantle Australia about the future of the Australian soap (Jackie Woodburne and Alan Fletcher pictured on show in 2008)
The Australian Soap, which still gets 1.2million UK viewers per day, has been on the air in Oz since 1985 but is reportedly facing the chop both in the UK and Down Under, three years before its 40th anniversary.
A Channel 5 spokesperson told MailOnline at the weekend: ‘Neighbours will no longer air on Channel 5 beyond this summer.
‘It’s been a much-loved part of our schedule for more than a decade, and we’d like to thank the cast, Fremantle and all of the production team for their fantastic work on this iconic series.
Looking forward: After Channel 5 confirmed its axe, a spokesperson for the RTÉ told MailOnline on Monday: ‘RTÉ is currently in talks with Fremantle in relation to Neighbours’
‘We’d also of course like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbours across the years.
‘We recognise that there will be disappointment about this decision, however our current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama, which has strong appeal for our viewers.’
The confirmation comes after Neighbours bosses are said to be axing the soap altogether, and are looking at seeing it off with a bang with the return of a legendary star such as Kylie Minogue.
Although the show is filmed in Australia, UK broadcaster Channel 5 foots most of the production bill and the advertising revenue brought in by the programme does not match up to the outgoings, The Sun reported.
End of an era! Channel 5 confirmed it will no longer air Neighbours beyond this summer, after ending its decade long association with iconic Aussie soap (Jason Donavan and Kylie Minogue pictured on show in 1988)
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.’
Veteran Neighbours actress Jackie Woodburne, who plays Dr. Karl Kennedy’s wife Susan Kennedy, appeared on the verge of tears as she discussed the possibility of the Aussie soap facing the axe, on Monday’s The Project.
The 66-year-old, who has starred on the show for the last 27 years, was emotional as she revealed it’s been a ‘rollercoaster’ of emotions over the past 24 hours, with the cast having attended a crisis meeting with producers on the Melbourne set that day.
Emotional: Neighbours actress Jackie Woodburne (pictured) – who has starred on the iconic Aussie soap for 27 years – fought back tears as she revealed on Monday’s The Project that it’s been a ‘rollercoaster’ of emotions as the series faces the axe in Australia too
When asked by host Carrie Bickmore how she’s feeling, Jackie said that she’s still ‘in shock’ and is ‘overwhelmed’ by the situation.
‘Oh Carrie, it’s been a rollercoaster absolutely… the last 24 hours or 36 hours as you can imagine,’ she said.
‘[It’s] kind of a lot of information to try and process but I still feel a bit in shock, a bit overwhelmed.’
She added that she’s ‘certainly’ been in touch with the cast amid the shock news.
‘[I] certainly have. We had a meeting today where our producers gave us some more information and really nothing more that’s already been out there,’ she revealed.
‘But look, I have to say the feeling was one of… it was just… it was quite lovely.
‘Everybody was sad, we were all crying, we were all very emotional about it all, but we’re all so determined to bring this show home as best we can.’
‘I think the government could possibly step in’: Former Neighbours star Rob Mills, 39, (pictured) called on the Australian government to save long-running soap opera Neighbours from being axed during his appearance on Monday’s A Current Affair
Meanwhile, Former Neighbours star Rob Mills made a plea for the Australian government to save the long-running soap opera from being axed.
Discussing the dire situation on Monday’s A Current Affair in Australia, the actor, 39, suggested that the taxpayer could fund the show instead.
‘We’re looking at thousands of jobs in the arts that’s been created through something like Neighbours. I think the government could possibly step in. Screen Victoria [a government arts funding agency] could also possibly step in,’ he said.
‘Neighbours has created thousands of jobs throughout the decades, yet it’s not really seen as important. Let’s hope when the election comes around, we get a Prime Minister who works towards funding the arts,’ Rob added.
International audience: The soap first hit UK television screens in 1986 when it was shown on BBC One, a year after it launched in Australia
The star, who played villainous teacher Finn Kelly between 2017 and 2021, insisted that cancelling Neighbours would also mean losing an important ‘training ground’ for Aussie talent.
‘We always talk about the actors that have come through on Neighbours, but it’s the writers that have come through as well, the directors, the crew,’ he said.
‘I feel like that’s the sad thing that will be lost, is the training ground, so let’s hope that doesn’t happen’.
Rob also reflected on the future of Neighbours during an impassioned Instagram post on Tuesday, calling the show an ‘institution’ that deserves to live on.
‘I am deeply saddened to hear the news about the possibility of @neighbours finishing up in June. It’s an institution. A living, breathing, creative machine that has employed 1000’s of people over the 37 plus years it’s been bringing Australian stories to life,’ he wrote.
Telling the tale: The show has featured some gripping storylines involving characters such as Madeleine West and Ryan Moloney’s Dee Bliss and Toadie Rebecchi
Rob went on to list the many creative professionals who owe their careers to Neighbours, before begging Prime Minister Scott Morrison to ‘throw us a bone’.
‘As artists we will always find the light. But geez its getting dark in this country. Would love to have a leader who valued #TheArts more in this country,’ he lamented.
The screen star also suggested the novel idea of turning Neighbours into a training facility for screen professionals.
‘I still think @filmvic should bank roll Neighbours by turning the whole block into a school. Where students can learn on the job. Just a thought,’ he wrote.
Fremantle later emailed staff saying filming would end on June 10, and absent any new broadcaster emerging to provide the funds to resume production, the show looked to be at an end.
Gone: In a statement on Sunday, Channel 5 confirmed their decision not to renew their contract to air the Aussie soap with producers Fremantle Australia. Pictured: the show’s 2021 cast
According to industry site TV Blackbox, ‘it’s unlikely [Channel] 10 can keep producing [the show]’ without financial backing from an international broadcaster.
If the show doesn’t find another backer soon, it could spell the end of the 37-year-old television institution.
In an email to cast seen by The Herald Sun, the show’s executive producer Jason Herbison confirmed the soap’s run as an institution of Australian and British television was all but over.
‘As you know the future of the show has been uncertain for some time,’ it read. ‘Our audience remains steady and Channel 10 would love the show to continue if we could find another broadcast partner to replace C5.
‘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 Neighbours the amazing send-off it deserves.’
Not enough: Despite recent high-profile casting like Aussie expat Tammin Sursok, the decision places the series’ future in jeopardy given Channel 5 foots most of the show’s production bill
Filming was paused on Monday, with cast and crew having been called to an all-staff meeting at 11am that morning.
Channel 10 released a statement to TV Tonight on Sunday, confirming they have every intention of finding a new broadcast partner.
The statement read: ‘As outlined in the email to cast and crew, it is our intention to continue our association with Neighbours if another broadcast partner comes forward.
‘Network 10 has an ongoing commitment to the show, the cast and crew and is hopeful that Fremantle will find a new production partner. We will provide further updates as they become available.’
Bosses are said to be looking at seeing it off with a bang with the return of a legendary star such as Kylie Minogue.
A source told The Sun: ‘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.’
Speculation the serial could be facing the chop has been mounting for a while, with Fremantle and Australian network Channel 10 also struggling to come to a deal.
Channel Ten announced the show would be slashed down to four episodes a week instead of five in July last year.
‘From July 26, Neighbours will air four nights a week. On Fridays, viewers can laugh along with their favourite Friends,’ a spokesperson told TV Tonight at the time.
At the time, Channel 5 also announced it would be cutting broadcasts of Neighbours and Home and Away from five nights a week to just two due to the Covid pandemic.
And an alleged insider told Woman’s Day that the soap could be in trouble: ‘Channel 5 aren’t happy. They think the show is stale. They’re deciding whether to continue the show or not.’
‘I can’t stress how much this move shows Neighbours is no longer the powerhouse in the UK that it once was. Many believe this is the beginning of the end.’
Hollywood star: Margot Robbie (pictured in Neighbours, right) has since hit the big time starring in blockbuster movies
The soap first hit UK television screens in 1986 when it was shown on BBC One.
Two years later, nearly 20million viewers switched on to watch Scott (Jason Donovan) and Charlene (Kylie) get married.
That year, Kylie left the show to launch her legendary pop career, with Jason quitting a year later to break out as a singer himself.
The Kylie and Jason public obsession reached fever pitch when the couple got together in real life and they had a hit record together, Especially For You.
But superstardom beckoned for Kylie and a new relationship with INXS front man, the late Michael Hutchence, soon put an end to the Kylie and Jason fairytale.
Jason later hit a rough patch due to alcohol and drug abuse but has since regained an image befitting of his alter Neighbour’s ego Scott.
Multi talented: Holly Valance left her role as Felicity ‘Flick’ Scully in 2002 to pursue a music career and scored a hit with Kiss Kiss
The soap has also seen a number of international stars set foot on the Melbourne set, including Russell Crowe, Margot Robbie, Natalie Imbruglia, Delta Goodrem, Liam Hemsworth, and Holly Valance.
Russell played ex-con Kenny Larkin in four episodes in the eighties, while Liam launched his career playing wheelchair-bound hunk Josh Taylor on the street from 2007 to 2008.
Margot started her on screen life as Donna Freeman in Neighbours 2008 and Natalie left her role as Beth Brennan and kissed goodbye to her onscreen surfer-dude husband Brad Willis to launch a singing career in 1997.
Delta, who played Nina Tucker, has since been a coach on Australia’s The Voice and has had eight number one singles and three number one
Neighbours’ most memorable storylines
Scott and Charlene’s wedding
Perhaps the most famous Neighbours moment, 20million people tuned in to watch Scott and Charlene Robinson, played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue, get married in November 1988.
The pair’s friend and family were seen in floods of tears as Charlene walked down the aisle to Angry Anderson power ballad Suddenly, with neighbour Nell Mangel catching the bouquet.
Mark leaves Annalise at the alter
Mark Gottlieb and Annalise Hartman’s nuptials didn’t go to plan in 1994. While both parties were nervous on the day, Mark left Annalise at the alter, saying he couldn’t marry her.
However, it wasn’t totally down to Annalise as he decided marriage wasn’t for him and decided to become a priest.
The death of Helen Daniels
Helen Daniels, played by the late Anne Haddy, established herself as the grandmother of Ramsay Street.
Embroiled in some gripping storylines, over the years she saw her life stolen by a conman, she had an affair with her daughter’s fiancé, and she fell down some stairs before suffering a stroke.
In a bid to bring the warring Ramsay and Robinson families together, she gathered them round to watch Scott and Charlene’s wedding together but, as they bickered over their differences, she quietly passed away on the sofa in her sleep.
The Lou, Madge and Harold love triangle
Madge Ramsay (Anne Charleston), Harold Bishop (Iain Smith) and Lou Carpenter’s (Tom Oliver) lives were entangled before the show even hit screens, with the trio knowing one another from their school days.
Madge fell head over heels for ‘Jelly Belly’ Harold but was also strongly attracted to cheeky Lou.
However, Madge’s life took an unexpected turn for viewers when she married Fred Mitchell, with their relationship soon becoming troubled.
Madge and Harold later got back together and he proposed much to the distaste of Lou who attempted to win Madge over. Madge eventually married Harold in 1988.
After Harold’s death, Lou set his sights on Madge once more and the pair planned to marry but they called it off when he realised he wasn’t a match for Harold.
Harold returns from the dead
Harold was killed off on the soap when he was swept out to sea when Madge’s back was turned, leaving nothing behind other than his glasses.
However, he made a shock return to Erinsborough five years later, declaring he’d suffered from amnesia, with Helen Daniels running into him by chance while browsing in a Salvation Army shop.
He returned to Ramsay Street to be reunited with Madge.
Madge’s death
Madge appeared on the show from 1986 to 1992 and again from 1996 to 2001 as a much-loved character.
After Harold’s return, the pair renewed their marriage vows and fostered a child but she was later diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Doctors told her she had just months to live but further tragedy struck when her life was shortened even further after she developed septicaemia after cutting her finger.
Before her death, Lou confessed his undying love for her and she died in the arms of Harold.
Susan’s memory loss
In typical soap style, Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) totally lost her memory after slipping on the milk from a spilled bowl of cereal in 2002.
She was convinced she was 16 years old again, a situation that left her incredibly confused when she found herself by chance at a 70s-themed birthday party.
Toady’s heartache
Jarrod “Toadfish” Rebecchi, played by Ryan Moloney, found was first heartbroken just hours after his wedding to Dee Bliss (Madeleine West) in 2003 when he lost control of their car and drove it off a cliff, with her body never being found.
In 2010 he left Steph Scully (Carla Bonner) at the alter when he realised she didn’t love him and during his third wedding to Sonya Mitchell (Eve Morey) in 2013, a gas bottle exploded during the reception, destroying their marquee and leaving Sonya with a fractured skull and no memory of the wedding. Characters Priya Kapoor and Rhys Lawson were also killed in the blast.
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