Neighbours will remain on UK screens

21 March 2017

'Neighbours' will remain on UK television screens for the foreseeable future.

Alan Fletcher

The long-running soap has aired in Britain for the past 31 years and, although it was recently rumoured that Channel 5 had decided to pull the plug on the series, bosses from Fremantle Media Australia - the production company behind the programme - has teased that viewers can expect some "exciting storylines" over the next year or so.

A spokesperson for the show told the Express.co.uk: "'Neighbours' is a fantastic show, with a legion of loyal fans around the world. We enjoy a great working relationship with our broadcast partners, and already have some exciting story plans for next year."

Alan Fletcher - who portrays womaniser Karl Kennedy in the show - has also warned that Channel 5 would be crazy to drop the series as the current storyline involving Toadie (Ryan Moloney) and Dee Bliss (Madeleine West) in London has been a hit.

He told Sydney's Nova 96.9 FM: "All I can say is our relationship with our broadcasters at Channel 5 and [Aussie channel] Channel Eleven couldn't be better and couldn't be stronger. And the stories we're doing at the moment - particularly right now with Toadie (Ryan Moloney) over in London chasing Dee Bliss (Madeleine West) - that storyline has been probably one of the most successful we've ever had in terms of audience numbers and interest. It's absolutely going off at the moment."

After rumours began to circulate suggesting 'Neighbours' would no longer be screened in the UK, a petition was launched by fans to keep it on the small screen indefinitely.

'Neighbours' is responsible for launching the international careers of Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, who played Charlene Robinson and Scott Robinson, respectively.