The late Ian Smith of Neighbours reportedly believed the Australian government ought to have kept the cancelled soap alive.
The final episode of the Australian drama, which was cancelled earlier this year after UK broadcaster Channel 5 opted to remove it from its schedule, is scheduled to screen in August.
However, it appears that Smith, who is best known for playing the goofy Harold Bishop in the Erinsborough series, believes that more could have been done.
The Australian government should have purchased it, broadcast it on the ABC, and utilised it as a real-world training ground for actors, writers, and camera operators, the Daily Mail reports. He addressed the cancellation in an interview with the Courier Mail.
The 84-year-old added that it would be a huge loss if the long-running soap opera ended because it had been fantastic for emerging talents.
Smith began working on Neighbours in 1987, and despite taking a few breaks, he has intermittently played Harold ever since.
He may be among the original cast members who will return to Ramsay Street for the soap opera’s conclusion.
The characters of Charlene and Scott, played by Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, who gained recognition in the first place, will be played again.
Additionally, Paul Keane, who portrayed Des Clarke, and Mark Little, who portrayed Joe Mangel, will both make appearances.
The soap opera tweeted: “We are so sad to hear that after nearly 37 years and approximately 9000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June.” Neighbours was announced to be ending after nearly four decades in March.
That’s a wrap,” the show captioned a final cast shot when production was over.
On August 1st, the final episode is scheduled for airing.
