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The Irish Sun
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Neighbours legend Alan Fletcher reveals secrets of show's final EVER episode as soap says goodbye again
NEIGHBOURS legend Alan Fletcher claims fans of the soap will "adore" the final ever episode when it airs in December. The long-running Australian show previously called it a day in 2022 before Amazon MGM Studios Advertisement 5 Alan Fletcher, pictured with Jackie Woodburne, has opened up about Neighbours' finale Credit: Instagram 5 Alan is currently performing his original songs on tour in the UK and Ireland Credit: Lime Tree Music However, it has decided against making more episodes beyond 2025 and Alan, who has played Dr Karl Kennedy for 31 years, believes executive producer Jason Herbison has crafted the perfect goodbye though, one which is very different from the last farewell. For its initial swansong, legends of the show's past returned, including Kylie Minogue, In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Advertisement READ MORE ON NEIGHBOURS "And, of course, he could never go anywhere near where we went last time. Now, that's done, that type of episode. So it's been really, really fantastic to work on this last ending. "I know the fans are going to love it. It'll go to air in December and it'll be adored." Having been saved once, fans might be holding out hope that another production company will intervene, but Alan doesn't think it's likely. "It'd be lovely if a TV saviour came along and said, 'oh no, let's keep Neighbours going', but I don't think that's very likely," he says. Advertisement Most read in News TV Exclusive His feelings towards Neighbours' retirement is very different this time round, with disappointment now replaced by satisfaction. A modern filming style and fresh team reinvigorated the programme and the product was noticeably more refined. I collapsed after being rescued from terrifying drowning on Neighbours set, reveals Karl Kennedy star Alan Fletcher "The first time around, I was gutted," he says. "I was gutted for the fans, I was gutted for everyone losing their job, but partly I was gutted because I felt like Neighbours had unfinished business . "And when Amazon bought the show back, suddenly the show was revitalised. It had a new energy , a new crew, and I think it just looked a million times better. We changed the way we shot the show. Advertisement "So by the time we got to the end this time, I think a lot of us just looked at each other and went, you know, we have just made 400 episodes of the highest quality TV drama that you could do on the budget. "If you think about how many shows are on Netflix that maybe do 16 or 13 shows in a season, we've done a hell of a lot of episodes, and they have been superb. So I just think we felt very proud at the end." While there's plenty of action to air between now and December, Karl's already been at the heart of some dark and challenging plotlines this year. He's fought to save his marriage to wife Susan as well as his health after growing addicted to painkillers, something that Susan's doctor nephew Darcy exploited. Advertisement "This is what we crave as actors, of course, because it gave, it gave a really great opportunity to explore Karl's flaws," says Alan. "We've all perhaps seen the series Dopesick about who becomes addicted to painkillers and Karl gets stuck in that maelstrom. But he doesn't want to be in it. He actually genuinely believes he's shaken his addiction. 5 Alan has played Karl for 31 years Credit: Rex 5 His latest single is called Back To School Credit: Lime Tree Music Advertisement "And then, of course, Darcy drugs him in a way by giving him painkillers without him knowing it. Yeah, a great, clever story and a wonderful way to finish up on the show." Alan is currently in the UK and Ireland on a 34-date music tour, playing his honest and occasionally comedic brand of Americana, alongside his band, which includes his wife of 35 years, Jennifer Hansen. Though the music is his sole focus, he's also on the lookout for a UK TV agent that could get him some roles on our shores. "Like a lot of Aussie actors, I would crave to come and work in the UK," he admits. "And I'm looking to try and find myself a UK agent because I think the UK makes some of the best television in the world. Advertisement "I think in terms of comedy , which I love to be involved in, the Brits are like the Australians. "We do understand satire and so there's incredibly sharp and witty television made here. And in terms of drama, the thing I really love about being in the UK is seeing how older actors, and I put myself in that bracket now, how older actors really get a good run on television and film . And some of the best UK actors, of course, are the older contingents. "You know, you name Australia so much. Generally, the main roles are taken by younger people. So, you know, I'd crave to work here." Before that comes to pass, Alan is on the promo trail for his latest single, Back To School , a poignant ballad on how to nurture a loving relationship. Advertisement "The title was about what I've learnt in studying philosophy, that love is something you can't take for granted, you have to really look at it," says Alan. "I mean, that's a bit of a cliche, but a lot of people don't spend the time. So it's really saying, let's get back to school and learn how to love. "It's a very musical, laid-back track, and it gets a great reaction from people." Both Alan and Jen went back to school, as it were, when they attended a lecture on love by philosopher Alain de Botton that helped to improve their own relationship. Advertisement "It was quite transformative for us, because it reminds us that perfect love is a bit of an 18th century creation," says Alan. "And in reality, we all love each other's flaws, rather than trying to change each other. "And once we heard that, and kind of accepted that, and went, 'yes, absolutely, that's what it is'. So now if either one of us in the relationship do something that the other one would normally think is annoying or troublesome, now we look at it and go, 'oh, it's adorable that you do that'. 5 The tour comprises of 34 dates and is underway now Credit: Lime Tree Music "So just accepting that we are who we are, and trying to change people, mold them to be the perfect human being, is a waste of time." Advertisement At the tail end of last year Alan also released a classic slice of Americana in Tell 'Em, a duet with Jennifer that tells the tale of lost love. "It really is the first cut, the deepest I suppose, that notion of the first relationship you have and how it kind of never leaves you, even though you break up and move on with your life and you have other loves, there's some little tiny part of you that's still wishes that somehow you've been able to work it out all those years ago. "So essentially just saying, look, I know we'll never be together, but I just think of you all the time, or in flashes." Both tracks will be joining Alan on his tour which is taking place now and runs until September. Advertisement Alan Fletcher's 2025 UK Tour and Ireland BACK TO SCHOOL UK TOUR DATES: July 22 – The Bedford – Balham July 23 – Studio 6 – Maidstone July 24 – The Factory Live – Worthing July 25 – The Attic – Southampton July 26 – The Steam and Whistle – Cheltenham July 27 – The Clarence Hall – Crickhowell July 29 – The Exeter Phoenix – Exeter July 30 – The Poly – Falmouth July 31 – The Hen and Chicken – Bristol Aug 1 – The Globe – Cardiff Aug 2 – St George's Hall – Bewdley Aug 3 – The Stables – Milton Keynes Aug 6 – The Portland Arms – Cambridge Aug 7 – The Garage – Norwich Aug 8 – The Witham Public Hall – Witham Aug 9 – The King Alfred Phoenix Theatre – London Aug 12 – The Sugar Club – Dublin Aug 13 – The Spirit Store – Dundalk Aug 14 – The Black Box – Belfast Sep 8 – The Gorleston Pavilion – Gorleston-on-Sea Sep 9 – The International – Leicester Sep 10 – Newhampton Arts Centre – Wolverhampton Sep 11 – Southside – Lincoln Sep 12 – The Yard – Manchester Sep 13 – Arts Club – Liverpool Sep 17 – The Wardrobe – Leeds Sep 18 – The Georgian Theatre – Stockton-on-Tees Sep 19 – Pocklington Arts Centre – East Yorkshire Sep 20 – Arts Centre Washington – Sunderland Sep 21 – The Voodoo Rooms – Edinburgh Sep 23 – The Blue Lamp – Aberdeen Sep 24 – Centre for Contemporary Arts – Glasgow Sep 25 – The Empress Ballroom – Mexborough Sep 26 – Castle & Falcon – Birmingham Buy tickets
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Neighbours legend Alan Fletcher reveals secrets of show's final EVER episode as soap says goodbye again
FINAL CUT Neighbours legend Alan Fletcher reveals secrets of show's final EVER episode as soap says goodbye again NEIGHBOURS legend Alan Fletcher claims fans of the soap will "adore" the final ever episode when it airs in December. The long-running Australian show previously called it a day in 2022 before Amazon MGM Studios intervened and gave it a new lease of life. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Alan Fletcher, pictured with Jackie Woodburne, has opened up about Neighbours' finale Credit: Instagram 5 Alan is currently performing his original songs on tour in the UK and Ireland Credit: Lime Tree Music However, it has decided against making more episodes beyond 2025 and soap fans are once again mourning. Alan, who has played Dr Karl Kennedy for 31 years, believes executive producer Jason Herbison has crafted the perfect goodbye though, one which is very different from the last farewell. For its initial swansong, legends of the show's past returned, including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce, delivering a heavy dose of nostalgia. In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Alan, 68, says: "He wanted to create episodes that were full of hope and full of community and the strength of community. And he's achieved it immaculately. "And, of course, he could never go anywhere near where we went last time. Now, that's done, that type of episode. So it's been really, really fantastic to work on this last ending. "I know the fans are going to love it. It'll go to air in December and it'll be adored." Having been saved once, fans might be holding out hope that another production company will intervene, but Alan doesn't think it's likely. "It'd be lovely if a TV saviour came along and said, 'oh no, let's keep Neighbours going', but I don't think that's very likely," he says. His feelings towards Neighbours' retirement is very different this time round, with disappointment now replaced by satisfaction. A modern filming style and fresh team reinvigorated the programme and the product was noticeably more refined. I collapsed after being rescued from terrifying drowning on Neighbours set, reveals Karl Kennedy star Alan Fletcher "The first time around, I was gutted," he says. "I was gutted for the fans, I was gutted for everyone losing their job, but partly I was gutted because I felt like Neighbours had unfinished business. "And when Amazon bought the show back, suddenly the show was revitalised. It had a new energy, a new crew, and I think it just looked a million times better. We changed the way we shot the show. "So by the time we got to the end this time, I think a lot of us just looked at each other and went, you know, we have just made 400 episodes of the highest quality TV drama that you could do on the budget. "If you think about how many shows are on Netflix that maybe do 16 or 13 shows in a season, we've done a hell of a lot of episodes, and they have been superb. So I just think we felt very proud at the end." While there's plenty of action to air between now and December, Karl's already been at the heart of some dark and challenging plotlines this year. He's fought to save his marriage to wife Susan as well as his health after growing addicted to painkillers, something that Susan's doctor nephew Darcy exploited. "This is what we crave as actors, of course, because it gave, it gave a really great opportunity to explore Karl's flaws," says Alan. "We've all perhaps seen the series Dopesick about who becomes addicted to painkillers and Karl gets stuck in that maelstrom. But he doesn't want to be in it. He actually genuinely believes he's shaken his addiction. 5 Alan has played Karl for 31 years Credit: Rex 5 His latest single is called Back To School Credit: Lime Tree Music "And then, of course, Darcy drugs him in a way by giving him painkillers without him knowing it. Yeah, a great, clever story and a wonderful way to finish up on the show." Alan is currently in the UK and Ireland on a 34-date music tour, playing his honest and occasionally comedic brand of Americana, alongside his band, which includes his wife of 35 years, Jennifer Hansen. Though the music is his sole focus, he's also on the lookout for a UK TV agent that could get him some roles on our shores. "Like a lot of Aussie actors, I would crave to come and work in the UK," he admits. "And I'm looking to try and find myself a UK agent because I think the UK makes some of the best television in the world. "I think in terms of comedy, which I love to be involved in, the Brits are like the Australians. "We do understand satire and so there's incredibly sharp and witty television made here. And in terms of drama, the thing I really love about being in the UK is seeing how older actors, and I put myself in that bracket now, how older actors really get a good run on television and film. And some of the best UK actors, of course, are the older contingents. "You know, you name Judi Dench and so forth and Olivia Colman. It's not something that happens in Australia so much. Generally, the main roles are taken by younger people. So, you know, I'd crave to work here." Before that comes to pass, Alan is on the promo trail for his latest single, Back To School, a poignant ballad on how to nurture a loving relationship. "The title was about what I've learnt in studying philosophy, that love is something you can't take for granted, you have to really look at it," says Alan. "I mean, that's a bit of a cliche, but a lot of people don't spend the time. So it's really saying, let's get back to school and learn how to love. "It's a very musical, laid-back track, and it gets a great reaction from people." Both Alan and Jen went back to school, as it were, when they attended a lecture on love by philosopher Alain de Botton that helped to improve their own relationship. "It was quite transformative for us, because it reminds us that perfect love is a bit of an 18th century creation," says Alan. "And in reality, we all love each other's flaws, rather than trying to change each other. "And once we heard that, and kind of accepted that, and went, 'yes, absolutely, that's what it is'. So now if either one of us in the relationship do something that the other one would normally think is annoying or troublesome, now we look at it and go, 'oh, it's adorable that you do that'. 5 The tour comprises of 34 dates and is underway now Credit: Lime Tree Music "So just accepting that we are who we are, and trying to change people, mold them to be the perfect human being, is a waste of time." At the tail end of last year Alan also released a classic slice of Americana in Tell 'Em, a duet with Jennifer that tells the tale of lost love. "It really is the first cut, the deepest I suppose, that notion of the first relationship you have and how it kind of never leaves you, even though you break up and move on with your life and you have other loves, there's some little tiny part of you that's still wishes that somehow you've been able to work it out all those years ago. "So essentially just saying, look, I know we'll never be together, but I just think of you all the time, or in flashes." Both tracks will be joining Alan on his tour which is taking place now and runs until September. Alan Fletcher's 2025 UK Tour and Ireland BACK TO SCHOOL UK TOUR DATES: July 22 – The Bedford – Balham July 23 – Studio 6 – Maidstone July 24 – The Factory Live – Worthing July 25 – The Attic – Southampton July 26 – The Steam and Whistle – Cheltenham July 27 – The Clarence Hall – Crickhowell July 29 – The Exeter Phoenix – Exeter July 30 – The Poly – Falmouth July 31 – The Hen and Chicken – Bristol Aug 1 – The Globe – Cardiff Aug 2 – St George's Hall – Bewdley Aug 3 – The Stables – Milton Keynes Aug 6 – The Portland Arms – Cambridge Aug 7 – The Garage – Norwich Aug 8 – The Witham Public Hall – Witham Aug 9 – The King Alfred Phoenix Theatre – London Aug 12 – The Sugar Club – Dublin Aug 13 – The Spirit Store – Dundalk Aug 14 – The Black Box – Belfast Sep 8 – The Gorleston Pavilion – Gorleston-on-Sea Sep 9 – The International – Leicester Sep 10 – Newhampton Arts Centre – Wolverhampton Sep 11 – Southside – Lincoln Sep 12 – The Yard – Manchester Sep 13 – Arts Club – Liverpool Sep 17 – The Wardrobe – Leeds Sep 18 – The Georgian Theatre – Stockton-on-Tees Sep 19 – Pocklington Arts Centre – East Yorkshire Sep 20 – Arts Centre Washington – Sunderland Sep 21 – The Voodoo Rooms – Edinburgh Sep 23 – The Blue Lamp – Aberdeen Sep 24 – Centre for Contemporary Arts – Glasgow Sep 25 – The Empress Ballroom – Mexborough Sep 26 – Castle & Falcon – Birmingham Buy tickets here
The Sun
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Neighbours legend Alan Fletcher reveals secrets of show's final EVER episode as soap says goodbye again
NEIGHBOURS legend Alan Fletcher claims fans of the soap will "adore" the final ever episode when it airs in December. The long-running Australian show previously called it a day in 2022 before Amazon MGM Studios intervened and gave it a new lease of life. 5 5 However, it has decided against making more episodes beyond 2025 and soap fans are once again mourning. Alan, who has played Dr Karl Kennedy for 31 years, believes executive producer Jason Herbison has crafted the perfect goodbye though, one which is very different from the last farewell. For its initial swansong, legends of the show's past returned, including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce, delivering a heavy dose of nostalgia. In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Alan, 68, says: "He wanted to create episodes that were full of hope and full of community and the strength of community. And he's achieved it immaculately. "And, of course, he could never go anywhere near where we went last time. Now, that's done, that type of episode. So it's been really, really fantastic to work on this last ending. "I know the fans are going to love it. It'll go to air in December and it'll be adored." Having been saved once, fans might be holding out hope that another production company will intervene, but Alan doesn't think it's likely. "It'd be lovely if a TV saviour came along and said, 'oh no, let's keep Neighbours going', but I don't think that's very likely," he says. His feelings towards Neighbours' retirement is very different this time round, with disappointment now replaced by satisfaction. A modern filming style and fresh team reinvigorated the programme and the product was noticeably more refined. "The first time around, I was gutted," he says. "I was gutted for the fans, I was gutted for everyone losing their job, but partly I was gutted because I felt like Neighbours had unfinished business. "And when Amazon bought the show back, suddenly the show was revitalised. It had a new energy, a new crew, and I think it just looked a million times better. We changed the way we shot the show. "So by the time we got to the end this time, I think a lot of us just looked at each other and went, you know, we have just made 400 episodes of the highest quality TV drama that you could do on the budget. "If you think about how many shows are on Netflix that maybe do 16 or 13 shows in a season, we've done a hell of a lot of episodes, and they have been superb. So I just think we felt very proud at the end." While there's plenty of action to air between now and December, Karl's already been at the heart of some dark and challenging plotlines this year. He's fought to save his marriage to wife Susan as well as his health after growing addicted to painkillers, something that Susan's doctor nephew Darcy exploited. "This is what we crave as actors, of course, because it gave, it gave a really great opportunity to explore Karl's flaws," says Alan. "We've all perhaps seen the series Dopesick about who becomes addicted to painkillers and Karl gets stuck in that maelstrom. But he doesn't want to be in it. He actually genuinely believes he's shaken his addiction. 5 "And then, of course, Darcy drugs him in a way by giving him painkillers without him knowing it. Yeah, a great, clever story and a wonderful way to finish up on the show." Alan is currently in the UK and Ireland on a 34-date music tour, playing his honest and occasionally comedic brand of Americana, alongside his band, which includes his wife of 35 years, Jennifer Hansen. Though the music is his sole focus, he's also on the lookout for a UK TV agent that could get him some roles on our shores. "Like a lot of Aussie actors, I would crave to come and work in the UK," he admits. "And I'm looking to try and find myself a UK agent because I think the UK makes some of the best television in the world. "I think in terms of comedy, which I love to be involved in, the Brits are like the Australians. "We do understand satire and so there's incredibly sharp and witty television made here. And in terms of drama, the thing I really love about being in the UK is seeing how older actors, and I put myself in that bracket now, how older actors really get a good run on television and film. And some of the best UK actors, of course, are the older contingents. "You know, you name Judi Dench and so forth and Olivia Colman. It's not something that happens in Australia so much. Generally, the main roles are taken by younger people. So, you know, I'd crave to work here." Before that comes to pass, Alan is on the promo trail for his latest single, Back To School, a poignant ballad on how to nurture a loving relationship. "The title was about what I've learnt in studying philosophy, that love is something you can't take for granted, you have to really look at it," says Alan. "I mean, that's a bit of a cliche, but a lot of people don't spend the time. So it's really saying, let's get back to school and learn how to love. "It's a very musical, laid-back track, and it gets a great reaction from people." Both Alan and Jen went back to school, as it were, when they attended a lecture on love by philosopher Alain de Botton that helped to improve their own relationship. "It was quite transformative for us, because it reminds us that perfect love is a bit of an 18th century creation," says Alan. "And in reality, we all love each other's flaws, rather than trying to change each other. "And once we heard that, and kind of accepted that, and went, 'yes, absolutely, that's what it is'. So now if either one of us in the relationship do something that the other one would normally think is annoying or troublesome, now we look at it and go, 'oh, it's adorable that you do that'. 5 "So just accepting that we are who we are, and trying to change people, mold them to be the perfect human being, is a waste of time." At the tail end of last year Alan also released a classic slice of Americana in Tell 'Em, a duet with Jennifer that tells the tale of lost love. "It really is the first cut, the deepest I suppose, that notion of the first relationship you have and how it kind of never leaves you, even though you break up and move on with your life and you have other loves, there's some little tiny part of you that's still wishes that somehow you've been able to work it out all those years ago. "So essentially just saying, look, I know we'll never be together, but I just think of you all the time, or in flashes." Both tracks will be joining Alan on his tour which is taking place now and runs until September. Alan Fletcher's 2025 UK Tour and Ireland BACK TO SCHOOL UK TOUR DATES: July 22 – The Bedford – Balham July 23 – Studio 6 – Maidstone July 24 – The Factory Live – Worthing July 25 – The Attic – Southampton July 26 – The Steam and Whistle – Cheltenham July 27 – The Clarence Hall – Crickhowell July 29 – The Exeter Phoenix – Exeter July 30 – The Poly – Falmouth July 31 – The Hen and Chicken – Bristol Aug 1 – The Globe – Cardiff Aug 2 – St George's Hall – Bewdley Aug 3 – The Stables – Milton Keynes Aug 6 – The Portland Arms – Cambridge Aug 7 – The Garage – Norwich Aug 8 – The Witham Public Hall – Witham Aug 9 – The King Alfred Phoenix Theatre – London Aug 12 – The Sugar Club – Dublin Aug 13 – The Spirit Store – Dundalk Aug 14 – The Black Box – Belfast Sep 8 – The Gorleston Pavilion – Gorleston-on-Sea Sep 9 – The International – Leicester Sep 10 – Newhampton Arts Centre – Wolverhampton Sep 11 – Southside – Lincoln Sep 12 – The Yard – Manchester Sep 13 – Arts Club – Liverpool Sep 17 – The Wardrobe – Leeds Sep 18 – The Georgian Theatre – Stockton-on-Tees Sep 19 – Pocklington Arts Centre – East Yorkshire Sep 20 – Arts Centre Washington – Sunderland Sep 21 – The Voodoo Rooms – Edinburgh Sep 23 – The Blue Lamp – Aberdeen Sep 24 – Centre for Contemporary Arts – Glasgow Sep 25 – The Empress Ballroom – Mexborough Sep 26 – Castle & Falcon – Birmingham Buy tickets here
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Neighbours star Jackie Woodburne announces shock career move
Neighbours star Jackie Woodburne has revealed a surprising career move following the official end of production on the long-running Aussie soap earlier this month. The veteran actress, 69, will co-star alongside former Coronation Street favourite Kym Marsh, 49, in a brand new TV thriller titled Imposter. The series marks Jackie's first non-Neighbours role in more than 30 years. The beloved performer has not appeared in a single production since stepping onto Ramsay Street as Susan Kennedy back in 1994. Imposter will feature Jackie as matriarch Helen, whose refusal to sell her seaside hotel sparks a dramatic family feud with her three adult children. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The plot thickens when Amanda, played by Marsh, arrives claiming to be Helen's long-lost daughter given up for adoption years ago. As Amanda integrates into the family, doubts arise about her true identity, leading to a gripping tale of deception and betrayal that culminates in murder, according to the series' synopsis. The series is set to be filmed across Victoria later this year. Jackie has played Susan, the wife of co-star Alan Fletcher's character Dr Karl Kennedy, since 1994. It follows reports that Fletcher is wasting no time embracing a new chapter following the end of Neighbours production. Last week, it was revealed the beloved Australian actor has swapped Ramsay Street for the stage, announcing a surprise music tour in the UK. Just one week after filming wrapped on the iconic Australian soap, the 68-year-old - best known for playing Dr Karl Kennedy since 1987 - arrived in London with wife Jennifer Hansen to embrace his musical endeavours. Jennifer shared the exciting news on social media on Friday, posting a cheerful snap of herself and Alan beaming after touching down in England. 'Arrived in London with Alan and getting excited about our first gig at the Bedford Pub on July 22nd,' she wrote, hinting at big things ahead for her husband's post-soap career. The Perth-born actor is one of the most beloved stars to ever appear on the Aussie soap opera. It comes after the long-running soap opera was abruptly axed in February and the final days of filming were completed earlier this month. Amazon did not renew their contract with production company Fremantle Australia. In response to the shock announcement, an Amazon spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Neighbours has brought so much joy over the last 40 years to its fanbase globally. 'Forty years is an incredible milestone and we are proud that Amazon MGM Studios was able to have a small part of bringing further episodes to Freevee and Prime Video customers over the last two years.' In a heartwarming post, the crew assured fans that new episodes from the 40th anniversary season would continue to be broadcast on Prime Video and Ten, with 'all the big soapie twists and turns our viewers love'. The final ever episodes will air at the end of 2025 with fans forced to say goodbye to Ramsay Street for a second time, after first being axed in February 2022.
RTÉ News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Soap star Alan Fletcher says Neighbours is finishing 'at its peak'
Actor Alan Fletcher said Neighbours is coming to an end while the Australian soap is "at its peak". The programme had its final day of filming earlier this month after its two-year Prime Video revival which followed it being dropped from broadcast by Channel 5 in 2022. Fletcher, 68, who has played Dr Karl Kennedy for 30 years, said it is "fair to say" he is now more famous in the UK than Australia. He told ITV's Good Morning Britain (GMB): "It's extremely popular. It sits in the top five programmes (on Amazon). "Amazon gave us an extra 400 episodes, and we are eternally grateful. "I have to say to you, when we finished filming, rather than the sadness we had the first time, I sat back and thought, 'Do you know what? We've been given the opportunity to make the best Neighbours we ever could have made'. "That's where we finished up. I reckon Neighbours is at its peak." The cast wrapped filming on 11 July at Nunawading Studios and the soap's final broadcast after 40 years will be in December. The programme, which launched the careers of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie and Guy Pearce among others, has followed the lives of people living and working in the fictional Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough since 1985. Neighbours was dropped by Channel 5 in 2022 after it failed to secure new funding, with a finale episode in July that year attracting an average audience of 2.5 million when several well-known characters returned to the show to say goodbye. The soap's return was announced in late 2022, with a social media clip featuring some of the characters being told the news. In February this year it was announced the programme would end after reports production company Fremantle failed to secure a deal with Amazon.
