There’s a petition to save ‘Neighbours’ from the axe

It might be as Australia as vegemite or koalas but Neighbours has also had a huge U.K. fanbase for decades now. Ever since almost 20 million people watched Kylie and Jason Donovan’s characters get hitched in 1987, the soap opera has been a staple of afternoon viewing in the country. 

That relationship could be shockingly about to end though. Channel 5, the U.K. network hosting the series, has been struggling to “find a way to keep Neighbours on air”, as per The Sun.

The soap is reportedly costing too much to film when compared with the advertising revenue it generates for Channel 5. That’s why the network is really struggling to strike a deal with the producers at Fremantle Australia to continue the series in the U.K.. Interestingly, although Neighbours is mainly shown in Australia, Channel 5 actually covers most of the production costs.

Despite its struggles, the series still reportedly brings in over one million viewers in the U.K. every day, which means it’s not surprising that fans from the country haven’t taken kindly to the axing report.

A new petition has popped up on change.org begging Channel 5 to not cancel the beloved soap. “Neighbours has been a staple on UK screens for over 35 years – and has been watched by generations,” the petition begins.

“Neighbours is more than just a TV show – it is a source of comfort and entertainment for generations of fans who have watched it for decades – it is one of the most loved TV shows in the UK and brings lots of viewers from all backgrounds to Channel 5’s catalogue of channels.”

At the time of writing, the petition already has over 15,000 signatures bringing it close to its target of 25,000. “This is the only soap I watch as the UK ones are depressing,” wrote someone in a ringing endorsement for EastEnders and Coronation Street.

“Neighbours is one of the few soaps that transports me to a happy place! The brightness, the sun, the characters, the street, the nostalgia. It simply cannot go!” wrote another signee. “I love this programme. I remember my nan and my mum watching this when I was growing up . And now I watch it with my daughters and my 9 year old granddaughter who loves it to. Please don’t scrap it,” emotionally said someone else.