Neighbours said goodbye to its fans in Australia last night (July 28), receiving the show's highest ratings in 13 years.
The Aussie soap has aired its finale on Channel 10, while the same episode will be broadcast in the UK tonight (July 29) on Channel 5 at 9pm.
With many returning stars popping up on screen for a final send-off, the series was expected to go out with a bang in terms of viewership.
Yet, the finale exceeded expectations with 873,000 'five-city metro' viewers (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth) and 1.2 million viewers nationally, reaching a 1.4 million peak and becoming the biggest episode since 2009 (via TV Tonight).
Related: Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan explain why they returned to Neighbours
For comparison, the show usually averages 100,000 viewers in Australia.
What to Read Next
It helped that the finale ultimately aired on a main channel. According to the original plans, the soap would've bowed out on digital channel 10 Peach but was ultimately moved to Channel 10 for its last-ever episode.
Earlier this year, it was revealed that Neighbours would come to an end after 37 years on air. After Channel 5 announced it would no longer air the soap beyond the summer, fans campaigned to save it but, unfortunately, the search for new funding options was unfruitful.
Related: Neighbours announces fourth cast member for official Farewell Tour
Production poured all their efforts into the final episodes, giving the residents of Ramsay Street and their fans the finale they deserved.
This means that the show worked hard to pull the strings on several cameos, securing the return of former Neighbours stars Kylie Minogue, Margot Robbie and Guy Pearce, as well as Jesse Spencer, Delta Goodrem, Kym Valentine and Carla Bonner and many more.
Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 6pm on Channel 5 and streams on My5. The series finale will air in the UK on July 29 at 9pm on Channel 5.
In Australia, the show's finale has aired and catch-up episodes are available on 10 Play.
Read more Neighbours spoilers on our dedicated homepage
'Everybody Needs Good Neighbours' T-Shirt (various colours)
Erinsborough High School Class of 86 retro sweatshirt
Neighbours 'Everyone is Welcome on Ramsay Street' Pride T-shirt
