Neighbours fans are convinced the BBC are planning to buy back the Australian soap following its axing after 40 years.
The long-running Aussie soap, a staple of daytime TV in the UK for four decades, was saved by Amazon Freevee in 2022 just months after its ‘finale’ aired on Channel 5, who had axed it earlier that year.
However, after just two and a half years, the last ever episode will air (again) in December.
Producer Jason Herbison said: ‘Audiences all around the world have loved and embraced Neighbours for four decades.
‘We are very proud of the huge success over the last two years including often appearing as one of the top 10 titles in the UK and the show’s first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Daytime Series in 2024.
‘As this chapter closes, we appreciate and thank Amazon MGM Studios for all that they have done for Neighbours – bringing this iconic and much-loved series to new audiences globally.’
This will now be the third time that the show has been taken off air, as all the way back in 1985, original broadcaster Seven Network dropped it.
After it found a new home on Network 10, a number of new names – Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce – were introduced, alongside a killer publicity drive that saw it introduced to viewers in the UK.
Airing on BBC One between October 1986 and February 2008, it soon became a smash hit with lunchtime and post-CBBC viewers when it aired twice daily.
Now, a number of fans are adamant that the corporation is planning on purchasing the rights to make new episodes, continuing the Ramsay Street drama beyond December.
The speculation comes following a number of tributes paid to the show by the Beeb’s flagship show EastEnders this week.
Kicking off April Fool’s Day, the soap joked that they had reintroduced the somewhat controversial, jazz-inspired theme tune from 1993, alongside a snazzy set of new opening titles.
The credits showed family groups smiling and laughing, interlaced with shots of the show’s set, barbecues and garden sprinklers.
A far cry from the usual London map, they were clearly inspired by the mid 2000s Neighbours opening sequence.
Brilliant work, but sadly just one of many practical jokes played that day.
Then, in yesterday’s episode, ‘Enders favourite Priya Nandra-Hart (Sophie Khan Levy) referenced the iconic Neighbours theme song during an argument with Vicki Fowler (Alice Haig).
She became suspicious that Vicki – who had just returned from Australia – was trying to rinse Ian Beale (Adam Woodyatt) of his money.
Despite seeming to arrive for her uncle Martin Fowler’s (James Bye) funeral, it has transpired that Vicki and her partner Ross (Alex Walkinshaw) have an ulterior motive – they’re in debt, and need a cash injection quickly.
As the women bickered, Priya informed her that she wasn’t just anybody, she was her new neighbour – as she lives next door to her sister Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean).
‘What’s it they say in Australia?’ she said, ‘everybody needs good neighbours.’
EastEnders later posted a screen cap of the reference, writing on X: ‘Isn’t that right, @neighbours?’
Whilst the nod was highly appreciated, some fans flocked to the comments to ask whether it was a clue to negotiation deals behind the scenes.
‘I’m assuming BBC are trying to get the rights for Neighbours once again?’ said one viewer, with someone instantly replying: ‘Hope so! #SaveNeighbours.’
‘Is there something you’re not telling us – or telling us, with all these little Neighbours quotes?’ questioned another.
‘Sharing storylines, characters and staff would be beneficial to both, surely’ said a third.
This isn’t the first time that the two have cheekily referenced one another.
In 2015, a number of Erinsborough favourites filmed a cheeky sketch in character as the Albert Square locals.
The favour was repaid in 2022 when Karl Kennedy legend Alan Fletcher filmed a comedic scene for social media in Kathy’s Cafe, ‘revealing’ that he was becoming the area’s resident GP.
At the time of writing, 18,260 people have signed a petition to keep Neighbours on air.
