After several weeks of speculation over the brokering of Neighbours next UK contract has been resolved and will see Neighbours move from the BBC.

The uncertainty lead to various suggests by fans and many felt that the BBC should fight to retain the rights to air the show which they have been doing since the shows start.

An online petition was started and spread throughout the Neighbours community in an effort to show support for the BBC and encourage FremantleMedia, who many felt priced the BBC out of negotiations, to consider the non financial benefits to remaining on the BBC. This included a lack of adverts and more stability from the BBC who do not rely on advertising revenue to air shows.

Despite efforts by fans the news reports of a move continued. Most pundits pointed to a shift to ITV over Five. Reports of ITV offering up to 4 times the per episode amount that they BBC had been paying seemed to seal the move to ITV.

Whilst Five had been mentioned in initial negotiations their reported involvement diminished as ITV became the focus of reports. Both ITV and the BBC refused to comment on the deal and the final twist hit media outlets in the UK yesterday.

Five, who already air rival Australian soap Home and Away, appear to have secured the final deal and will air the show when the BBC contract expires in 2008.