Neighbours favourites Karl and Susan Kennedy were saved from the chop during the show's revamp, according to a former network executive.
Dan Bennett, who worked in the role for Network 10 in Australia, recently took to Twitter to share some behind-the-scenes gossip as the long-running soap is set to end.
In a revealing thread, Bennett wrote that one of his first duties was to quash the idea of the Kennedys leaving the show when Neighbours was going through a revamp in 2007.
He tweeted: "The biggest a challenge I had was insisting the producers keep Karl & Susan. The day I arrived on the job there was a document about proposed changes to Neighbours and the one I had to squash immediately was the Karl & Susan one. I mean..."
The well-loved duo first appeared on our screens in 1994 and have been a constant presence on Ramsay Street ever since.
Susan actress Jackie Woodburne recently admitted that she's "in shock" and "overwhelmed" by the decision to call time on the soap, describing her colleagues as "more than a family."
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"These are people that all choose to be there and we work so fast and we care so passionately about the show, and we respect the show and we respect the fans," she said.
"And we have so much fun. I mean, I have laughed more in the 27 years than I probably should have and been paid at the same time."
Channel 5 ended its 14-year affiliation with the show, citing budget reasons for the decision. Fans had been signing and sharing a petition, but it was confirmed last week (March 3) that it's definitely coming to an end.
Alan Fletcher, who plays Dr Karl Kennedy, took to Instagram, writing: "This is a sad day indeed. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the millions of fans all around the world who have supported our iconic drama for 37 wonderful years."
Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 6pm on Channel 5 (UK) and Mondays to Thursdays at 6.30pm on 10 Peach (Australia).
Read more Neighbours spoilers on our dedicated homepage
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