Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis says 40th "means nothing now" after cancellation
"It’s really made the 40th anniversary a bit wishy-washy now."
It's a strange time for Neighbours fans, as while the soap is marking its momentous 40th anniversary this year, it was also recently announced that it has been cancelled, with the current run coming to an end at the end of 2025.
It seems it's also a strange time for the show's stars, as Stefan Dennis, who has played Paul Robinson on and off since the very first episode, has given his own thoughts when speaking with TV Tonight.
"It’s really made the 40th anniversary a bit wishy-washy now," Dennis said of the cancellation. "It’s a bit of a shame, because it’s an incredible accolade for an Australian show to say they’ve been going for 40 years other than other than news and current affairs.
"But unfortunately, that’s now being completely and utterly overshadowed by the fact that the show is now on its way out. So the 40th anniversary means nothing now. It’s a bit of a shame."
Dennis also spoke about his bumpy ride with the soap since its beginning, saying: "I’ve actually left the show five times.
"I left the show when it was axed from Channel Seven in 1985, I left my own volition in 1992 when I was going to go out and sow my wild seeds, I came back in 2004."
He continued: "So this is five times that I’ve actually left the show. But it’s three times that this show has actually been axed which has created yet another piece of history. It’s the only show in the world, as an ongoing serial, that’s been axed three times."
Read more:
- Neighbours star teases Terese and Paul's future and 40th anniversary cast comebacks
- Neighbours spoilers reveal Anne Charleston return - but there's a twist
Executive producer Jason Herbison recently revealed the reason for the cancellation, explaining it was because Amazon Freevee was shut down by Prime Video.
Meanwhile, Terese Willis star Rebekah Elmaloglou told RadioTimes.com exclusively that she was "grateful" for the extra two years the show got after its 2022 cancellation.
"But there is another side of me thinking we’ll definitely never get picked up again now," she explained. "Last time, there were whispers going around about the Amazon deal. This time round it feels a little bit more real."
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Authors
James Hibbs is a Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering programmes across both streaming platforms and linear channels. He previously worked in PR, first for a B2B agency and subsequently for international TV production company Fremantle. He possesses a BA in English and Theatre Studies and an NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.
