Why was Neighbours cancelled and will it ever return?

We'd love to see some spin-off specials!

It was a sad day in soapland when it was announced that Neighbours was being cancelled after 37 years on air.

Viewers and Neighbours cast members past and present took to social media to share their sadness that Australia's longest-ever running drama series would soon be no more.

A campaign to save the series was launched by Neighbours superfan "Edward Skylover".

The petition was signed by over 71,500 people, and received backing from celebs including This Morning presenter, Holly Willoughby. The Neighbours theme, sung by Barry Crocker, shot back to the top of the iTunes chart.

But unfortunately, the decision was final and there was no hope for our favourite residents of Ramsay Street.

Channel 5, who have largely funded the production of Neighbours since they started airing the series in 2008, said in an official statement:

"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.

"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."

Why Neighbours was cancelled

The Australian viewing figures for Neighbours began to decline when Channel 10 shifted the series to their digital channel, Eleven (which was later rebranded 10 Peach) in 2011.

But in the UK, Neighbours continued to have a loyal following, with around 1.5 million viewers watching each day.

So it was quite a surprise when Channel 5 decided to axe Neighbours, considering less popular programmes, including rival Aussie soap Home and Away, remain on air.

However, it was ultimately a financial decision.

Like BBC One before them, who screened Neighbours in the beginning, Channel 5 paid a lot of money to Fremantle in Australia each year to fund the production of Neighbours.

The costs included renting the studios where it was filmed in Nunawading, Melbourne, paying the residents of Pin Oak Court (the real-life Ramsay Street!) to film outside their homes each week plus cast and crew salaries.

In an exclusive interview with Digital Spy, Channel 5 commissioning editor Greg Barnett explained:

"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."

Channel 5 controller Ben Frow ultimately made the decision to focus more on developing UK drama series including All Creatures Great And Small.

"I can better spend the Neighbours money on UK shows," he told Radio Times.

Could the residents of Ramsay Street return?

There are no current plans for a Neighbours reboot.

However, since the series finale, which aired in a primetime slot in July, saw a happy ending for all the main characters, anything could be possible in the future.

"It does leave the door wide open, because who knows what will happen down the track?" executive producer Jason Herbison told The Sydney Morning Herald. "It was important to me too that it would feel for the audience as though life is continuing on Ramsay Street."

How about some spin-off specials?

Next year there will be the chance to celebrate the 38th anniversary of the soap, when Neighbours: The Farewell Tour visits UK theatres.

So far, Alan Fletcher (Karl), Jackie Woodburne (Susan), Ryan Maloney (Toadie), Annie Jones (Jane) and April Rose Pengilly (Chloe) have all signed up for the stage show. With further cast announcements to be made…

What will happen to the Neighbours studios?

Production company Fremantle still has a lease on the studios, which houses both the interior sets and the outdoors Lassiters complex, until the end of this year.

Since Neighbours finished filming, the studio has been used to shoot some scenes for Channel 5's forthcoming psychological thriller series, Riptide.

The cast includes ex-EastEnders star Jo Joyner alongside familiar faces from Neighbours including Peter O'Brien (Shane), Ben Turland (Hendrix) and Toby Derrick (bad boy Holden).

It's about a British woman, Alison, whose husband appears to have drowned while out surfing. But is there more to his disappearance than meets the eye?

The four-part series is created by Jason Herbison, who was also the man behind Channel 5's previous hit mystery-drama, Lie To Me, with EastEnders star Charlie Brooks.

"It's the best of British meeting the best of Australian casts and crews," says Jason, "and I can't wait for the audience to see what we have in store."

Riptide will air on Channel 5 later this year.

Neighbours: The Farewell Tour takes place across the UK in March 2023