The cast of Neighbours were understandably emotional after emerging from a meeting with show bosses, where they learned that the soap could be axed after 37 years.
Various cast members, including April Rose Pengilly, Jemma Donovan and Jackie Woodburne, were pictured leaving the Nundawang Studios on Monday (February 7).
Jackie, who plays icon Susan Kennedy, discussed the meeting in question during an appearance on Network 10’s The Project, confirming that everyone was ‘sad’ and ‘crying’.
‘We’re all very emotional about it all’, said the Ramsay Street stalwart, fighting back tears, admitting that everyone is ‘determined’ to bring the show ‘home’ as best as they can.
The fate of Neighbours is up in the air right now, after Channel 5 revealed their plans to drop it from their schedules this summer.
‘Neighbours will no longer air on Channel 5 beyond this summer,’ a spokesperson for the UK broadcaster told Metro.co.uk.
‘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.’
The decision has been met with criticism, which is not surprising given that Neighbours remains one of Channel 5’s most popular programmes, and has been a lynchpin of the TV schedule for almost four decades.
It is thought that the programme costs too much to film, compared to how much it brings in from advertising.
‘Channel 5 pay Fremantle Australia many millions of pounds every year and, sadly, there’s a shortfall of about £5million in what it brings back in through advertising,’ a source told The Sun.
‘There’s a lot of disbelief and sadness among those who know it’s struggling.’
Jackie, meanwhile, described this past weekend as a ‘rollercoaster’.
‘[There is] a lot of information to try and process’, said the soap star.
‘I feel still a bit shock and a bit overwhelmed’.
The 66-year-old concluded the interview by asking that everyone keep their fingers crossed for a reprieve.
‘Anything is possible!’, she exclaimed.
The good news is is that there is still hope for Neighbours.
Australian brodcaster Network 10 is reportedly intent on continuing their association with the show, with a spokesperson telling TV Tonight that they are ‘hopeful’ Freemantle will find a new broadcast partner.
RTÉ, which airs the soap in Ireland, is currently ‘in talks’ with Fremantle.
What’s more, the committed, passionate and downright iconic fans of the show are determined to find their beloved soap a new home, and they’re doing an incredible job thus far.
#SaveNeighbours trended on social media shortly after the news broke and has done so repeatedly in the days that followed, while a petition to save the series has already garnered over 25,000 signatures. It can be viewed here.
Neighbours has been a staple of TV schedule in both its home country and here in the UK for almost four decades.
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It’s catapulted some of the world’s biggest icons into superstardom, including Kylie Minogue, Margot Robbie and Liam Hemsworth.
Viewers are hellbent on saving the show from cancellation, and as Jackie said, anything is possible.
We’re keeping our fingers crossed!
Neighbours airs weekdays at 1:45pm and 6pm on Channel 5.
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