Susan Bower quits Neighbours

Neighbours executive producer Susan Bower has announced she is stepping down from her role with the long-running Australian soap.

Bower announced her forthcoming departure from Neighbours to the Australian newspaper the Herald Sun. She will step down from her role in December and will take on a new role within Neighbour’s production company, FremantleMedia. The producer told the newspaper “It was a hard decision. I love Neighbours, it is a wonderful show and because of this I felt it was important that fresh eyes and brains take over to keep this Australian icon contemporary. Having said that, I’m really excited about the new role and thank FremantleMedia for this wonderful opportunity.”

Bower has been the executive producer of Neighbours for four years but her tenure has been marred by declining ratings. The soap has failed to keep up with long-term rivals Home & Away and its low ratings prompted its move from Channel Ten to digital station Eleven earlier this year. It hasn’t all been bad for the Australian soap though over recent years; its introduction of a regular gay character was widely praised.

TV Tonight reports that Richard Jasek will replace Bower as executive producer while Alan Hardy will join Neighbours as a producer.