Neighbours star Stefan Dennis hits out at Amazon for soap's cancellation
Stefan Denis isn't in the mood to celebrate Neighbours turning 40 following the news that the Australian soap is to be axed for the second time in less than two years.
The actor, 66, who has played the character of Paul Robinson on the series for four decades, says that the Neighbours special birthday episode now means 'nothing'.
"It's really made the 40th anniversary a bit wishy-washy now," Dennis told TV Tonight as he didn't hold back in sharing his truth thoughts on 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."
Neighbours was previously dropped by Channel 5 in 2022, but revived by Amazon for its streaming platforms just four months after a star-studded farewell episode watched by millions.
Last month Amazon gave no reason for its decision as it confirmed the show will finish at the end of 2025 - 40 years and more than 9,000 episodes after its television debut.
Dennis - who was part of the original Neighbours cast when it debuted in 1985, left the show in 1992, but returned in 2004 - lashed out at Amazon for deciding to pull the plug despite it being a ratings winner.
He told the publication: 'Our show is about to go, so I'm not afraid to say anything anymore. I'm going to start speaking up.'
'Amazon, don't own it. Amazon just buy it to show it... but they not producing the show and that's where people get confused.
'Free to Air television is on the way out... As soon as the Free to Air television stations start realising that, and stop trying to drag their heels, like one particular one I won't mention, they're just sticking their head in the sand.'
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