When is the last episode of Neighbors? Date Channel 5 soap ends

Neighbors, the acclaimed Australian soap opera, has been axed after failing to find a new home.

The daytime drama about the residents of Ramsay Street has been broadcast on British television for over 30 years and launched the careers of stars such as Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie.

Channel 5 announced it was scrapping the long-running soap from its schedule, leaving it to Fremantle Media – the production company that produces Neighbors – to find a new home.

However, the company did not succeed and the show has now been cancelled.

The cast and crew of Neighbors gathered in Melbourne on Friday (June 10) to film the final scenes for the soap opera – including some familiar faces like stars Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan.

The production company shared a final photo of their cast and crew after filming wrapped on the final scene:

Channel 5 said the soap’s dump would allow funding to be redirected to original British dramas.

A channel spokesman said: “After this summer, Neighbors will no longer air on Channel 5.

“It has been a very popular part of our schedule for over a decade and we would like to thank the cast, Fremantle and the entire production team for their fantastic work on this iconic series.

“We would also of course like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbors over the years.

“We are aware that this decision will be disappointing, but our current focus is to increase our investment in original British dramas that are very appealing to our viewers.”

The final episode of Neighbors will air Monday 1st August 2022 on Channel 5.

TV Tonight reported that Australian channel 10 Peach will air double episodes from June to allow viewers to watch the show’s finale on the same day as UK viewers.

Executive producer Jason Herbison said, “We all knew this day was coming, but until we were here in that moment, with the very last scene being filmed, it was hard to express how we would all feel.

“Of course it’s sad and there were tears, but we’re also very proud. 37 years is an incredible achievement and it should be celebrated.

“We were also incredibly touched by the response from our viewers around the world.

“Neighbors is more than a TV show for many people. They see us as part of the family and we feel privileged to have been invited into their home and I know the Neighbors legacy will live on for many years to come.”

Stefan Dennis, who has played the villain Paul Robinson on and off throughout the series’ 37-year history, described the final day of shooting to Australian breakfast program Studio 10 on Friday as “a melancholy day”.

The actor said he “surprised himself” when he became incredibly emotional filming the final scenes, and admitted he had to keep a “very low profile” to avoid becoming “an absolute mess”.

Ian Smith, who plays Harold Bishop, has confirmed he will be reprising his role, and both Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan will also return for the finale after an absence of over 30 years.

Executive producer Jason Herbison said the couple will have a very special role in the Australian soap.

He said, “Scott and Charlene are the ultimate Neighbors couple and it wouldn’t feel right to finish the show without them.”

Memento star Guy Pearce, who began his career as Mike Young on the Australian soap opera, had also confirmed he would be reprising his role after sharing photos from the reunion with the cast and crew in recent days.

They are joined by Peter O’Brien, who appeared as Shane Ramsay in the first episode of the series, Mark Little, who played Joe Mangel, and Paul Keane, who played Des Clarke.

Among the returnees from the ’00s era are Chris Milligan who played Kyle Canning, Morgan Baker as Callum Rebecchi, Natalie Bassingthwaighte who played Izzy Hoyland and James Mason as Chris Pappas.

Pippa Black, who played Elle Robinson, and her on-screen brother Jordan Patrick Smith, who played Andrew Robinson, will also return.

Olympia Valance, who starred as Paige Smith in the show’s final era, will also return, along with Jodi Anasta as Elly Conway, Zoe Cramond, who played Amy Williams, and Kate Kendall as Lauren Turner.

Ben Hall as Ned Willis, Olivia Junkeer, who played Yashvi Rebecchi, and Zima Anderson as Roxy Willis have also been announced as returning.

Launched in 1985, the soap has long been more popular in the UK than in Australia, so this news has thrown the show’s future into question.

It is the longest running drama series on Australian television. Neighbors originally launched on Australia’s Seven networks in 1985, but the station dropped it before Ten picked it up the following year and it became an international hit.

Neighbors was shown on BBC One until 2008 when it moved to Channel 5.

It has featured a number of British guest stars in recent years, including Amanda Holden, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Ryan Thomas and Janet Street-Porter.

In Australia it has been shown on digital channel 10 Peach since 2011 after losing its slot following the nightly news on the main channel and has relied on the UK broadcaster for funding.

Donovan, who played Scott Robinson from 1986-1989, tweeted: “@neighbours has changed the Australian television landscape. It has launched many careers over the decades, including mine.

“(It has) captivated and entertained audiences for generations. With the hope that it will find a new home on another UK channel and continue to provide opportunity and entertainment.”