Neighbours star Takaya Honda has shared a powerful and emotional message with fans on his Instagram account, as he reacts to the news that the long-running soap has been dropped by UK network Channel 5.
An official statement by Channel 5 which was released to Digital Spy on Sunday confirmed that "Neighbours will no longer air on Channel 5 beyond this summer", with the decision meaning that the soap's production company Fremantle is pausing production indefinitely from June while it searches for a new broadcast partner.
Actor Takaya, who has played David Tanaka on the show since 2016, has shared his love and appreciation for Neighbours and its fans following the news, posting a series of photos on Instagram celebrating David's relationship with husband Aaron Brennan (Matt Wilson) alongside a heartfelt message.
Related: Neighbours' David and Aaron crisis over Abigail
Telling his fans that he loves them "so much", he wrote: "You are the reason I am still on @neighbours and you have been my motivation to continue telling David's story for as long as I have."
Writing that he feels that Neighbours can sometimes be misrepresented in the media, he added: "Not everything on Neighbours is silly and the affect it has on people certainly isn't. I have, on multiple occasions received messages from fans stating that the show and David's storylines have saved their lives, and they say this genuinely."
Takaya went on to praise the show's portrayal of David and Aaron's relationship, saying that Neighbours has "offered a place to escape for so many who have been under represented".
"I have been one half of, not only the first on screen gay wedding in Australian history but, I'm pretty sure, also one of the longest running on screen gay relationships too," he wrote. "There are very few that span the length of time or episode count that @mattywilson and I have as #Daaron. I say this on top of being a POC too."
The actor concluded his tribute by saying that he is "proud of being a part of this show" and promising fans that there is still plenty to look forward to over the coming months.
"I am super proud of the work we have been producing over the past few months that you are yet to see, and I am proud to be a part of this team as we move towards June 10 and whatever lies beyond," he wrote. "Thank you, for your passion, your love and your overwhelming support."
Takaya's message was met with support from his fans and fellow co-stars, with Mackenzie Hargreaves star Georgie Stone commenting: "So proud and inspired by you my friend" and Chloe Brennan and Leo Tanaka actors April Rose Pengilly and Tim Kano sending heart emojis.
Takaya isn't the only Neighbours star who has spoken out about the axing news, with Karl Kennedy actor Alan Fletcher saying that the cast and crew "need a hero" to emerge to keep the show going.
Related: Neighbours' Zara to come under suspicion over fire
Jackie Woodburne, who plays his on-screen wife Susan Kennedy, has also shared her feelings, revealing that she feels "a bit in shock" and "overwhelmed" by the news and saying that "we're all crying, we're all very emotional about it all".
Jason Donovan, who played legendary character Scott Robinson between 1986 and 1989, has announced that he hopes the soap can find a new UK home "and continue to provide opportunity and entertainment", while fans have started a petition to save the show which has been signed by cast member Lucinda Cowden, who plays Melanie Pearson.
Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 6pm on Channel 5 (UK) and Mondays to Thursdays at 6.30pm on 10 Peach (Australia).
