Neighbours 'tribute' at Logie Awards criticised by cast and fans

 Fans have dismissed the tribute as "embarrassing".

Neighbours will be drawing to an end this summer whether we like it or not, and as the popular soap prepares to close the book on its 37-year history, the tributes are coming in thick and fast.

Not all tributes are alike, however, with yesterday's (June 19) Logie Awards of 2022's nod to the series receiving criticism from both fans and even some members of the cast.

The awards ceremony, which celebrates the achievements of Australian television, has been branded "embarrassing", "disappointing", and even an "insult" to the cast and crew for its send-off of the iconic soap.

: Neighbours to be celebrated at Logie Awards despite nominations snub

Alongside a brief montage of clips, former Neighbours stars Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Daniel MacPherson – who played Izzy Hoyland and Joel Samuels, respectively – appeared on stage to present the Graham Kennedy Award for Popular New Talent.

"Eight of its previous winners have come from one particular show, Neighbours, and that's not surprising over its 37-year run," Natalie told the crowd before announcing the winner. "I think that deserves a round of applause."

She continued: "The show has been an invaluable training ground for hundreds, if not thousands, of cast and crew, launching countless [careers]."

"It's reached millions of fans in more than 60 countries around the world, from Belgium to Barbados, and when the show ends on air this year, it really will be the end of an era," Daniel went on, before the pair name-checked Neighbours veterans Jackie Woodburne, Alan Fletcher, Stefan Dennis, and Ian Smith.

It didn't take long for a few of the series' current stars to take issue with the lacklustre tribute, with Aaron Brennan actor Matt Wilson writing on Instagram Stories: "37 years and this is all we get."

Wilson also commented on a separate post from the ceremony's sponsors TV Week alongside Ben Turland (Hendrix Greyson), who himself wrote: "Yeah cheers aye?"

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Related: Neighbours stars bid goodbye at the British Soap Awards

A reporter from Australian entertainment blog TV Tonight offered insight from the event, revealing that the cast who turned up for the awards, including Stefan Dennis and Ryan Moloney, "were forced to watch from tables with an obstructed view".

Not everyone was vocal in their disappointment, mind you. Karl Kennedy himself Alan Fletcher thanked TV Week and the Logie Awards for "honouring" the soap.

Alongside a picture of him and his on-screen wife Jackie Woodburne, Alan wrote on Instagram: "I had a great ride for 28 years with this beautiful person by my side."

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.