After Channel 5 announced that it will be removing Neighbours from its schedule, actor Geoff Paine, who plays Clive Gibbons, expressed his hopes for the show’s future.
The news that Channel 5 would be eliminating Neighbours from its schedule as early as this summer sent shockwaves across the Neighbours fanbase last week.
In the wake of the revelation, Fremantle, the production company behind Neighbours, has put the show on hold indefinitely while they look for a new broadcaster to cooperate with.
Now, Geoff Paine has shared his thoughts on the future of Neighbours, telling Studio 10 that he hopes the “amazing” audience reaction to the announcement would inspire a production firm to keep the programme running — whatever format it takes.
Paine, who has portrayed Dr. Clive Gibbons on and off since 1986, argued that, because Neighbours has “gone through numerous versions throughout the years,” a new era for the soap could be the solution.
He explained, “It’s a different universe.” “As we all know, our viewing habits are changing all around the world, and there are so many more options to pick from.”
“All we can hope for is for a production team or company to say, ‘Okay, we think we can keep this thing continuing.’”
In addition to revealing that Fremantle is seeking for a new “producing partner,” Paine hinted that if the soap is rescued, it may alter.
“We don’t know whether it impacts the format or the look of the show,” he continued. “However, it is a regular feature of many people’s workweeks.”
There is yet hope for Ramsay Street.