Yahoo News Neighbours star Colette Mann responds to complaints over Channel 5 cutting episodes
Neighbours star Colette Mann has responded to complaints over Channel 5 cutting episodes of the Australian soap, describing it as a "first-world problem".
Much like all of the UK soaps, Neighbours and Home and Away have cut their episodes back to just two a week in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Now, speaking exclusively to Digital Spy, Mann has explained why she thinks Channel 5 has made the right decision to reduce the amount of episodes.
Related: Neighbours star April Rose Pengilly says Channel 5 has "jumped the gun" by cutting episodes
"Why they've done it is probably to preserve episodes, because none of us know how long coronavirus is going to go on for," said the Sheila Canning actress.
"At the moment we're on a two-week break and we don't know if we're going back. We don't know if our government will suddenly say that we can't. We were the only drama left in Australia that's shooting.
"With the number of people that are in the building at any one time, it has to be re-modelled so that we keep under the amounts set by the government. It's day to day, hour to hour, so we don't know what we'll be doing."
She continued: "I suppose Channel 5 want to conserve episodes and they've done it with Home and Away too. I think they've been sensible and it probably takes the pressure off us. 10 are still showing it every night over here, but they might make that decision too."
Addressing fans who are upset by the decision, Mann urged them to gain some perspective.
"Some of the fans are really upset about it, but it's a first-world problem," she said. "There are people dying in the world. Let's just calm ourselves down.
"Neighbours is on two nights a week? Honestly, tell Italy about that - see how they feel. If Channel 5 feel that's the right thing to do for them, I think it's probably good."
Neighbours currently airs Mondays and Fridays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5 (UK) and weekdays at 6.30pm on 10 Peach (Australia).
The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing.
For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
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