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Neighbours veteran Alan Fletcher has urged fans to tune in if they want to give the show a chance of a comeback.
The Australian soap is ending for good last this year after Channel 5 revealed that it would drop the show from their schedules this summer, and the 64-year-old actor – who has played Karl Kennedy since 1994 – has opened up on the ‘realities’ of the future on Ramsay Street after a hopeful fan launched a petition on Change.org.
Appearing on Monday’s episode of This Morning, he said: ‘It’s not so much about saving it. It’s just that the realities are, it’s little bit like the Queen Mary, and once you turn the ship and say we have to head in this new direction of finishing the show, it can’t be swung back around super quick.
‘Now if, down the track, somewhere down the track, a different type of Neigbours was born or a different funder came along, of course that would be marvellous.
‘The reality is the sure really must end in August, and finish production in June. In terms of the support of the fans, I hope everybody understands how appreciative we are of all that support.
‘The best thing, if people really wanna support Neighbours and they wanna give it a chance in the future, is to watch it now to be frank, to watch it right through to the end to get those viewer figures up.’
Alan admitted while the cast and crew were upset when they returned to filming after the heartbreaking news, they want to make the last few months a celebration.
‘Initially there was a lot of sadness, a lot of tears. It’s history coming to an end. The thing about it is for us, we want to make a show the fans love, that’s our absolute drive,’ he added.
‘We’re focusing on the celebratory aspect of this. We’ve had wonderful stewardship of a show that’s loved by millions of people, and now we’ve got the responsibility of bringing that show home in a way that’s really going to make it special.
‘The final episodes of Neighbours, coming up to August, are going to be spectacular, I guarantee that.’
He also had kind words for Channel 5 – who will instead invest in ‘original UK drama’ – for the support they’ve show Neighbours throughout its run.
He said: ‘Channel 5’s been a wonderful partner to Neighbours for many, many years and of course the BBC before that. In the current business environment, 5 have made the decision to change direction.
‘Of course, that’s their prerogative. We thank them for the wonderful, wonderful support they have given us over the years, but unfortunately their priorities have changed.’
This Morning airs weekdays at 10am on ITV.
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