Long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours will end production in June after losing its key UK broadcaster partner and failing to find alternative funding.
The daytime drama has been shown on UK television for more than 30 years.
It helped launch the careers of many stars, including that of Kylie Minogue, when she joined in 1986 to play the role of Charlene Robinson.
Minogue paid tribute to the soap on Twitter, writing: "I'll be forever grateful for the experience & the friends I made on @neighbours.
"We had no idea how big the show would become and how passionately viewers would take it to heart," Minogue wrote.
"Pure love! I can still hear Madge calling ... CHARLENE!!!!"
The drama about the residents of Ramsay Street also helped actors such as Jason Donovan and Margot Robbie find fame.
Australian actor Travis Burns, who played Tyler Brennan in the soap for three years, said it was an "end of an era".
"Super blessed to be a part of the show that created so many jobs for so many people," he wrote on Twitter.
The future of the show had been in doubt after Channel 5 last month confirmed it would stop airing the show.
And on Thursday, the show's Twitter account said: "We are so sorry to say that after nearly 37 years and almost 9,000 episodes broadcast we have to confirm that Neighbours will cease production in June.
"Following the loss of our key broadcast partner in the UK and 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."
Channel 5 said dropping the soap would allow funding to be diverted to original UK dramas.
The longest-running drama series on Australian television, Neighbours has over the years faced criticism and praise surrounding the diversity of its cast.
In 2004, it aired the first same-sex kiss between characters Lana Crawford and Sky Mangel - the first same-sex relationship on the show.
In 2019, the show introduced its first trans character Mackenzie Hargreaves, played by Australian trans activist Georgie Stone.
Last year, two Indigenous actors came forward with allegations of racism they experienced while working on the Neighbours set.
Last April, Wongatha, Yamatji, Noongar and Gitja actor Shareena Clanton and Wongutha-Yamatji actor Meyne Wyatt separately alleged multiple instances of racial slurs being used on set, as well as sexist and homophobic comments.
Clanton played a guest role as Sheila Canning on Neighbours last year, while Wyatt was the first Aboriginal actor to have a recurring role on the show between 2014 and 2016.
In a statement to NITV at the time, a spokesperson said Neighbours aimed to be a "platform for diversity and inclusion".
“Neighbours strives to be a platform for diversity and inclusion on-screen and off-screen. Our quest is always to continue to grow and develop in this area and we acknowledge that this is an evolving process," the statement said.
Actor Sharon Johal also went on , calling her experience "painful and problematic".
The Neighbours spokesperson said it remained committed to ensuring a respectful and inclusive workplace for all employees on the set and it takes very seriously any questions about racism or discrimination.
Crazy Rich Asians star Remy Hii, who has Chinese-Malaysian heritage, said he received racial backlash from viewers after he appeared on Neighbours in 2013.
Media Diversity Australia's chief executive Mariam Veiszadeh said the organisation works to "hold up a mirror" to Australia and advocate for greater diversity in media.
"And as one chapter closes, hopefully it opens opportunities for greater representation of historically underrepresented groups on our screen," she said.
Neighbours initially launched on the country's Seven Network in 1985, but the channel axed it before Network 10 picked it up the following year and it became an international hit.
In Australia, it has been shown on digital channel 10 Peach since 2011 and has been reliant on the UK broadcaster for funding.
Neighbours was shown on BBC One until 2008, when it moved to Channel 5.
It has featured a number of British guest stars in recent years, including Amanda Holden, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Ryan Thomas and Janet Street-Porter.
