Neighbours star Jordy Lucas, who played Summer Hoyland on the iconic Australian soap, has shared her heartbreak after Channel 5 confirmed it will not be airing the soap anymore.
A statement from the channel said: “Neighbours will no longer air on Channel 5 beyond this summer.
“It’s been a much-loved part of our schedule for more than a decade, and we’d like to thank the cast, Fremantle and all of the production team for their fantastic work on this iconic series.
“We’d also of course like to thank the fans for their loyal support of Neighbours across the years.
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“We recognise that there will be disappointment about this decision, however our current focus is on increasing our investment in original UK drama, which has strong appeal for our viewers.”
Neighbours actress Jordy, who played Summer Hoyland from 2010 to 2013, has shared her devastation at the news, telling Daily Star: “The show holds such a special place in my heart, I was really sad to see the news.
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The Sun also reports that the cast and crew of the show were not informed about the decision by Fremantle in Australia, with a source saying: “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.”
Speaking about the report, Jordy said: “I’m sure they are pretty devastated. I can’t imagine how they must feel.
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“They definitely should have been given the heads up. In addition to the cast, the crew and everyone behind the scenes should have been told too.
“The show employs so many people, it’s heartbreaking that so many people will lose consistent work.”
Jordy added that she thinks it would be a mistake for the show to be axed for good, and she hopes that another platform will back Neighbours to keep it on air.
(Image: Channel 5)
She added: “It may be my own bias, but I definitely think the show is irreplaceable! Obviously these decisions are based on business and figures, but I feel like there will be a hole left in so many lives.
“The show is such a springboard for young actors. It’s also one of only 2 shows in Australia that consistently employs actors and crew, so it’s a huge loss for our film & TV industry.”
The Neighbours star also said that if the show were given a second chance, it should “stay focused on why people loved it to begin with” in a bid to win some viewers back.
Since leaving the soap, Jordy has founded website itsallher.com, which focuses on news and “honest media for Australian women”.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
