Neighbours fans cry ‘happy tears’ as Aussie soap confirms shock return on new channel

NEIGHBOURS fans have cried 'happy tears' after the Aussie soap confirmed its shock return on a new channel.

It was revealed earlier today that Amazon Freevee and Fremantle had saved the show, with new episodes airing next year.

The news comes four months after Neighbours fans sobbed at the final ever episode, and so the shock U-turn was met with more tears, but this time, happy ones.

Taking to Twitter, one wrote: "Hooray! Anyone else a bit teary?"

Another replied: "Glad it’s not just me trying to figure out why my eyes are filling up!"

A third tweeted: "Oh good not just me that burst into happy tears then."

Meanwhile a fourth shared: "I’m just so so happy for everyone involved with Neighbours. Can’t imagine how much their lives were turned upside down when it was cancelled. Thank you so much for bringing it back. For them and for the fans."

They weren't alone in their delight as another Neighbours fan tweeted: "OMG OMG OMG OMG!!! I’m literally sobbing with happiness!!! You’ve just made my year!!!! Yes yes yes!! Best Xmas present EVER!!!"

Another added: "NEIGHBOURS 😭😭😭🥰🥰🥰 I am shook. It’s beautiful. I am actually on the verge of tears. Mend my broken heart, my beloved."

A brand-new series will begin filming in Australia next year and will see show favourites Stefan Dennis (Paul Robinson), Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy), Ryan Moloney (Toadfish Rebecchi), and Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kennedy) returning to reprise their leading roles.

The revitalized series will premiere exclusively for free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and U.S. and will include streaming rights to thousands of episodes from the previous seasons, available prior to the new series’ premiere.

The series will also stream on Prime Video in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

Production is set to commence in early 2023 with a world premiere slated for the second half of the year.

Lauren Anderson, head of AVOD original content and programming, Amazon Studios, said: “Neighbours has captivated its audience for nearly 40 years, building a dedicated and loyal following for the lives and stories of the characters on Ramsay Street.

“With the power of streaming, we’re able to offer a catalogue of thousands of Neighbours episodes for new audiences to discover this legendary series and current fans to relive their favorite moments.

"We look forward to immersing the audience in new Ramsay Street experiences when we relaunch the show next year for Amazon Freevee and Prime Video customers.”