Alan Fletcher believes 'Neighbours' is making a comeback because it gives people "relief" from their "tough lives".
Neighbours’ Alan Fletcher thinks the soap is making a comeback as it gives fans relief from their tough lives
The 66-year-old actor has played Dr. Karl Kennedy on the Australian soap since 1994, and was delighted when Amazon stepped in to save the series after it was axed in 2022.
Alan insists the loyal fanbase for the Erinsborough residents that made the series an "accidental hit" is what has breathed new life into it and long may it continue.
Speaking exclusively to BANG Showbiz, he said: "When 'Neighbours' finished last year 5.5 million Brits tuned in to watch the show.
“The affection for ‘Neighbours’ never waned – it was always a very popular show.”
Alan added it was only ditched last year over a “funding issue”, and added about fans’ devastation when it was announced that it was ending.
He added: "When it was announced we were finishing, so many people came out to watch the last episode.
“Amazon saw that and said, ‘So many people came back to watch that episode, and there was the social media posts and the petitions (to bring it back) and the outpouring of grief (it was over.)
“It was clear there was life for ‘Neighbours’ and there was an outpouring of absolute joy when it came back.”
Explaining his theory that 'Neighbours' - the show that made stars of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie, Natalie Imbruglia and more - gives fans respite from tough times, he said: “It’s been an accidental hit for 37 years and I think it will be an accidental hit for years to come.
“When I meet fans, they say in a life when things have been very, very tough with Covid, their jobs or their health – and things will be really, really tough for them – ‘Neighbours’ gives them that half an hour of relief in the day.”
The new series of ‘Neighbours’ is available now on Amazon Freevee.
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