Neighbours is to officially end after 37 years on air, and people are now reminiscing on the iconic Australian soap.
The news that the beloved soap – which is famously set on the cul-de-sac Ramsay Street in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough, and first appeared on UK television screens all the way back in 1986 – is to “cease production” this summer was confirmed on social media this morning.
Announcing that the show is to end via its official Twitter account, Neighbours said: “We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June.
“Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK and despite an extensive search for alternative funding, we simply have no option but to rest the show.
“To our amazing, loyal fans, we know this is a huge disappointment, as it is to all of us on the team [but] we thank you for all your messages and support and promise to end the show on an incredible high.
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“From here on, we are celebrating Neighbours.”
We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June. pic.twitter.com/YwlDZPb7zB
A spokesperson for the production company Freemantle added: “Everyone at Neighbours has been overwhelmed by the love and support from the audience since the news came out.
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“The show has brought a sunny slice of Australia into the homes of millions of viewers around the world launching the careers of dozens of household names along the way, but as this chapter of Ramsay Street comes to a close, we promise to do everything we can to give the show the send-off it deserves.”
Ex-cast members and fans of the show have since been paying tribute.
One of the soap’s most well-known stars, Kylie Minogue – who got her start on the show, before going on to become a household name – has lead the tributes, saying on Twitter this morning: “I’ll be forever grateful for the experience and the friends I made on Neighbours. We had no idea how big the show would become and how passionately viewers would take it to heart. Pure love. I can still hear Madge calling … CHARLENE!!!!”
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Alan Fletcher – who played probably the show’s most popular character, the iconic Dr Karl Kennedy – has also paid tribute in a tweet: “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the millions of fans all who have supported us for 37 years.”
He also gave “huge thanks” to the show’s broadcast partners.
I’ll be forever grateful for the experience & the friends I made on @neighbours. We had no idea how big the show would become and how passionately viewers would take it to heart. Pure love! 💞🏡 I can still hear Madge calling … CHARLENE!!!!
Guy Pierce, who too started his career on Neighbours by portraying Mike Young from 1986-1989, also took to Twitter to pay tribute and reminisce about his time on the show, saying: “I’m so sorry to hear Neighbours will end as aside from being the incredible launch pad, it’s been no one can deny the effect it’s had throughout millions of homes around the world.
“It’s bonded all of us in immeasurable ways. A true honour to have been a part of it. Great memories.”
I'm so sorry to hear Neighbours will end. Aside from being the incredible launch pad it's been no one can deny the effect it's had throughout millions of homes around the world. It's bonded all of us in immeasurable ways. A true honour to have been a part of it. Great memories Xx
After it was announced last month that Channel 5 would stop airing the show on its network, the channel described the show in a statement as being “a much-loved part of our schedule for more than a decade”, while it thanked “the cast, Fremantle and all of the production team for their fantastic work on this iconic series”.
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“We’d also of course like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbours across the years,” Channel 5 concluded.
Featured Image – Channel 5
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Henry Cavill’s audition tape for James Bond has been leaked online – and people have thoughts…
Danny Jones
In case you haven’t already seen it, the man who has been linked with being the next James Bond for what feels like the past decade, Henry Cavill, has seen his audition tape for the role leaked online.
Well, it’s an old tape from when he was first put up for the role but still, we always love watching these.
The Superman, The Man From U.N.C.L.E. and former Witcher star has been in contention to replace Daniel Craig as Bond for almost as long as Idris Elba has/was, and while the latter may have drifted from the conversation somewhat in the past few years, Cavill’s only seems to have grown.
Now a fully-fledged Hollywood star, his career’s come a long way since the days of his long-haired audition for 007 nearly two whole decades ago…
He was given three different variations of scenes to perform. Director Martin Campbell can be heard saying his audition was “tremendous”.
Yes, what you see above is a video by YouTuber Ron South revealing Henry Cavill’s audition for Casino Royale: a remake of the 1967 original film released back in 2006 which effectively rebooted Bond for the modern, more serious era.
Uploaded from an original VHS audition tape filmed just a decade into Barbara Broccoli and co’s tenure in charge of the franchise, having taken over from her father in 1995 (we have no idea how he got his hands on, so don’t ask), you get to see a good seven minutes of Henry Cavill as James Bond.
The first thing to note is that besides the flowing mane of dark hair, the soon-to-be leading man was much younger during this recording; he was just 22 when the tape was made and considered too young for the part at the time.
Ironically, many believe Cavill might be at the very least verging on too old, even though all three of Pierce Brosnan (42), Roger Moore (45) and Timothy Dalton (41 – the same age) were older than him when they first took up the tuxedo and very specific taste for martinis.
Regardless of whether he is the ‘right age’ now or not, the clips being leaked online have divided opinion, to say the least, with many suggesting that while he may not have been ready for the role then, he and his acting chops have matured significantly in the 20 years that have passed.
Henry is barely suited to ACTING if we’re keeping it real
It’s also worth stating that opinions are just that and some are definitely less popular than others; for instance, many in the comments underneath social media posts said Daniel Craig – the man who famously did get the job back in 2006 – was “overrated” and “only had one good film.”
Come on, Craig wasn’t even our first Bond and you’ve got to admit even if he isn’t your favourite, he was excellent and gave the series a refreshing, grittier spin.
But wait, we haven’t even got to the best part yet: Ron South has also uploaded four other actors’ James Bond audition tapes besides Henry Cavill which you can find HERE – all of which give off a very different vibe. The question is, were any of them right for the iconic character, or are they perhaps now?
What did you make of this glimpse at Henry Cavill as James Bond in his old audition tape and you think he’s still the ‘favourite’ in your eyes for the world’s most famous spy?
Featured Images — EON Productions Limited/MGM/Ron South (via YouTube)
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You can now name a bin after your ex just in time for Valentine’s Day
Emily Sergeant
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and one company is offering bitter singles the chance to honour their ex in a fitting way.
With less than a week to go until the international day of love itself arrives, and loved-up people across the globe take the time to shower their nearest and dearest with affection, Valentine’s Day isn’t always the happiest of times for those of us who are single or who have a history of mistreatment by an ex partner.
Which is why, commercial waste management company, BusinessWaste.co.uk, is offering singles the chance to get their own back.
Back by popular demand for 2025, after proving to be a huge success in years past, the company is giving single people the chance to clean up their breakups by printing their ex’s name slap bang on the front of a bin.
Anyone who wants to see their ex emblazoned on the side of a bright green bin will just need to fill in a short form on the company’s website.
You can now name a bin after your ex just in time for Valentine’s Day / Credit: BusinessWaste.co.uk
All you’ll need to do is simply enter the name of your ex, select the type of bin you want to add them to, and then pick one of three messages you’d like to send – ‘Binned’, ‘Bin there, dumped that’, and ‘You’re dumped’.
The name with the most entries will then be added to a bin on Valentine’s Day itself (14 February).
“For many people, the memories they have of their ex are quite simply rubbish,” commented Mark Hall, who is the co-founder of BusinessWaste.
“With over 50,000 bins throughout the UK, we wanted to put them to good use and offer people the chance to take the trash out by naming a bin after their ex.
“We thought this would be the perfect opportunity to turn heartache into healing, a cathartic experience for those who need to dump the past, or the perfect way to cheer up a friend who’s single this Valentine’s Day.”
Fancy it then? You can find more about naming a bin here.
Emily Sergeant -
3rd March 2022 
