Neighbours cancels filming and postpones anniversary event because of coronavirus

This is what you need to know about the cancellations (Photo: Neighbours)This is what you need to know about the cancellations (Photo: Neighbours)
This is what you need to know about the cancellations (Photo: Neighbours)

Neighbours has cancelled filming in Dublin and a special anniversary event amid coronavirus fears.

Starting on 16 March, the Australian series had planned an explosive 35th anniversary week worth of episodes, complete with weddings, deaths and plenty of drama.

However, the live London event and top secret filming in Dublin were both cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Here’s what you should know.

A spokesperson for the show said: “Due to the current coronavirus situation and cautions around international travel, cast who were flying in from Australia will no longer be visiting the UK for the Neighbours 35th anniversary celebrations.

“Whilst this is obviously very disappointing, the wellbeing of all our cast and crew is our utmost priority.”

Discussing the scenes that were meant to be filmed in Dublin, the spokesperson said: “Filming in Dublin with Alan and Jackie has therefore been cancelled for now. However, we love our UK and Irish audience and will definitely be back in the future.”

Special Dublin episode

According to RTE, Neighbours stars Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne were set to film a top secret storyline to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the show.

A spokesperson for Neighbours had said at the time: “We’re very excited about Neighbours coming to film in Ireland for the first time ever.

“An Irish generation have grown up watching and loving Neighbours and fans here have a very special relationship with it and its characters.”

35th anniversary event postponed

Later this month in London, there was also supposed to be a 35th anniversary event at the Adelphi Theatre called Neighbours: Live in Conversation.

Annie Jones (Jane Harris) and Alan Fletcher (Dr. Karl Kennedy) was going to be joined by an as yet unannounced star, as well as some special guests, to look back over the 35 years of the beloved soap opera.

Described as “a night that no Neighbours fan, past or present, would want to miss”, the one night only event has been postponed for the time being due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Posting the announcement to social media, the Live in Conversation Twitter account said: “The show WILL be happening - just sadly not this weekend.” Accompanying the tweet is a poster with more information.

The post states: “It is with deep regret that Neighbours: Live In Conversation will now be postponed until later this year. Due to the recent outbreak of Covid-19, Fremantle have made the decision to protect the health of their cast and restrict travel from Australia to the UK during this time.”

What if you had tickets?

In the post from the Live in Conversation account, it states: “All ticket holders for the show have the opportunity to wait for the rescheduled date to secure the same seats at The Adelphi.”

The post also explained that the Fremantle team and the LW Theatres team are working together to potentially bring a couple of additional dates for the event, for those who were unable to buy tickets for the now sold out one night only event.

Replying to the announcement on Twitter, one user asked about refunds and Live in Conversation replied: “It should be the case that tickets carry over (with a refund option).”

Another user joked saying: “November is good for me lol”, to which Live in Conversation said: “We’re certainly looking towards that time of year.”