Neighbours star Stefan Dennis defends Channel 5 after axing backlash

 "Channel 5 were actually the good guys."

Neighbours star Stefan Dennis has defended Channel 5 after the backlash the broadcaster has faced for axing the Australian soap.

The actor, who plays original character Paul Robinson, insisted that Channel 5 didn't deserve to be seen as the "bad guys" following the show's sad demise.

Channel 5 announced its decision to stop broadcasting Neighbours in February, after having the beloved programme at the heart of its daytime schedule for 14 years.

The following month, Neighbours' production company Fremantle Australia confirmed that the soap would end. This was because another UK broadcasting partner couldn't be found to help finance the show, which rates strongly on Channel 5 but only plays out to a small audience in Australia.

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Speaking exclusively to , Stefan explained: "Literally, it's an economic decision. People must realise that it's not a case of, 'Oh, Channel 5 doesn't like it anymore' or 'The ratings are down'. I mean, if anything, the ratings are up.

"It's just an economic decision, and in business, that's what happens. That happens in business every single day. If a show can't get the income for the outgoings, then of course, no business is going to hang onto that. It doesn't matter how sentimental.

"I think both Channel 5 and [Australian network] Channel 10 really did hang on for absolutely as long as they could. Channel 5 was clutching it by the fingernails by the end.

They were incredibly upset. They were made out to be the bad guys but Channel 5 were actually the good guys, believe it or not, even though they were the ones that made the decision – only because Channel 5 had just backed this show so incredibly.

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"For the last 14 years, we are so incredibly in our debt to Channel 5 for running with it, and continuing to make it a great show with a great audience."

Channel 5 controller Ben Frow recently defended his decision to stop financing Neighbours, insisting that the money was "better spent" on UK shows.

Greg Barnett, who oversees the soap for Channel 5, later gave his own thoughts in an interview with and confirmed: "This isn't a series that is being axed because of poor ratings or performance. It's going out very much on a high."

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Asked whether more could have been done to save the show, Barnett replied: "As was reported in the press, the show had been losing considerable amounts of money for Channel 5 every year since the broadcaster acquired it and it became a real problem. The business couldn't continue to lose money."

Neighbours airs its finale episode later this week, as an hour-long special features the return of legendary former cast members like Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.

Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 6pm on Channel 5 and streams on My5. The series finale will air in the UK on July 29 at 9pm on Channel 5.

In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 6.30pm on 10 Peach and streams on 10 Play. The series finale will air in Australia on July 28 at 7.30pm, simulcast on 10 and 10 Peach.