Neighbours star Natalie Bassingthwaighte reflects on "heartbreaking" axe news

 It's time to say farewell.

Neighbours star Natalie Bassingthwaighte has weighed in on the soap's axing.

The actress, who played Izzy Hoyland, one of Karl's (Alan Fletcher) former flames, has been confirmed as part of the star-studded and nostalgia-inducing returning cast for the show's finale in August. She played Izzy from 2003-2007.

Speaking to TV Tonight, she said: "It's heartbreaking for so many people. It's just been such an amazing launchpad for so many including myself. I learned so much on the show.

"To farewell it feels a bit surreal to be really ending… I think you have to be grateful and go, 'Wow, it lasted so long and it made a lot of people smile over the years.'

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"But it's hard for everyone, not just the actors, the writers, the crew. So many people have been employed by that show for many, many years and it's nice to see Australian stories told on Australian TV."

Bassingthwaighte went on to talk about how getting the role of Izzy affected her life: "I would be stopped on the street and things like that, which I'd never experienced before. But Izzy was such a fun character, so juicy. I'll be forever grateful for that role.

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Bassingthwaighte is one of 23 stars returning for the show's finale over the next few weeks. In a statement, executive producer Jason Herbison shared:

"Whether the eighties, nineties, naughties or teens is your favourite decade, we will be delivering something for everyone as Neighbours draws to a close. Alongside the current cast we will be celebrating the most memorable characters from across many eras, with a few surprises up our sleeve."

Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 6pm on Channel 5 and streams on My5. In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 6.30pm on 10 Peach and streams on 10 Play.