NEIGHBOURS 'AXED AND WILL COME TO AN END THIS SUMMER'

Please note: since this story was published, the original source - The Sun - have changed their tune. They now claim Neighbours is 'facing the axe'.

The Australian soap - which first aired on BBC One in the UK in 1986 - is set to come to an end this Summer.

Channel 5 producers have reportedly spent weeks in talks with producers at Fremantle Australia to strike a deal to keep the series on air, but those talks have reportedly failed.

A source told The Sun: "The cast and crew in Melbourne haven’t been told about the decision. They will be devastated. Neighbours is an institution people grew up with...

"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. There’s a lot of disbelief and sadness among those who know it’s ending...

"They are currently in the process of approaching a number of former cast members, including Kylie, to make a special return. Now it’s the end, it really would be something special to have her back in Ramsay Street one last time."

For now, Neighbours aired weeknights at 6pm on Channel 5.