Natalie Imbruglia expressed her regret about the cancellation of Neighbours after 37 years on the air, as the show sparked her own career in 1992.
Between 1992 and 1994, the 47-year-old Australian actress and singer played Beth Brennan on the legendary serial for nearly two years, appearing in 252 episodes.
She went on to star in other shows including Law of the Land and films like Johnny English and Underdogs, as well as gaining more fame as a singer with hits like Torn and Wishing I Was There.
The announcement that legendary tea-time serial Neighbours is to end after 37 years was devastating to the soap industry last week. Channel 5 backed out of supporting the programme, and the show was unable to find a new home.
And it seems Natalie herself is distraught over the update – as she told The Sun on Sunday: “It’s just so sad – I loved that show.”
Natalie opened up about whether or not she would return to Ramsay Street as some kind of special tribute last month, as rumors swirled that the legendary serial was going to be axed.
She told the Mirror: “I’d consider it, yeah.
“I would consider going back, I think it would be lovely to walk through those doors. I mean, I probably won’t recognise anyone – not even my [on screen] son.”
Natalie’s character, Beth, had a relationship with Scott Michaelson’s character, Brad Willis, and they had a son named Ned, who was played by Ben Hall.
Natalie told Heart FM last month that she hoped that once Channel 5 pulled out of the UK, another network will assist sponsor the show in order to keep it on the air.
She said: “I think at this point we just thought it was gonna go on forever so, you know, people are petitioning. Here’s hoping they pull it off.
“There’s a character on the show who’s my son! I mean, I think it’d be devastating. What’s going to happen to my son?”
Sadly, however, the petitions have fallen on deaf ears and last Thursday it was confirmed that the show will end forever later this year.
Fremantle confirmed that the show was coming to an end, writing in a statement: “Despite an extensive search for alternative funding, we simply have no option but to rest the show.
“To our amazing, loyal fans, we know this is a huge disappointment, as it is to all of us on the team.
“We thank you for all your messages and support and promise to end the show on an incredible high. From here on, we are celebrating Neighbours.”
Neighbours premiered in March 1985 and has since helped start the careers of a number of well-known actors, including Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Margot Robbie, and Guy Pearce.
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