Josh Taylor

The Creator of the popular Australian television show Neighbours, Reg Watson , has died aged 93.

The Show announced his death on Friday Evening .

Neighbours, set on the fictional Ramsay Street, is Australia's all-time longest running drama and is due to celebrate its 35th year in 2020.

Executive producer of The Show , Jason Herbison, described Mr Watson as "a pioneer of drama" and "a lovely person to work with. "

Mr Watson was born in Queensland but moved to the UK in 1955 and helped create television show Crossroads.

He was then headhunted in Australia to establish a new drama department for Grundy Television.

Aside from Neighbours, he also helped create Prisoner: Cell Block H, The Young Doctors and Sons and Daughters.

Mr Watson developed Neighbours in the 1980s, with television producer Reg Grundy .

It was originally screened on Channel 7 in Australia but was dropped after it underperformed. It was then picked up by The Ten Network who saw promise in The Show .

Neighbours is also a popular show in the UK. It was first screened on the BBC before moving to Channel 5 .

The Show has launched many careers including Kylie Minogue , Margot Robbie , Holly Vallance and Jason Donovan .

Donovan, who played Scott Robinson in the soap drama, "Many Australian careers have a lot to thank for This Man . A Legend . . Mr Reg Watson . "

Russell Crowe also appeared for several episodes as former prisoner Kenny Larkin , so too did Hunger Games star Liam Hemsworth as Josh Taylor and singer Natalie Imbruglia as Beth Brennan .

In 2010, Mr Watson was appointed a Member of The Order of Australia for services to the Media .

Source of news: bbc.com