Neighbours' Ryan Moloney to leave soap after almost 30 years
Neighbours has announced that Ryan Moloney will be leaving his series-regular role as Toadie Rebecchi after almost three decades on the show.
Toadie made his first appearance on the Australian soap back in January 1995 as a teenager, and he is the second longest-running continuous character on the show after Karl Kennedy.
As Moloney reaches a momentous milestone, the show has shared the big news that he will be stepping down from his role later in the year, though his exit storyline has not yet been revealed.
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Moloney will remain part of the Neighbours family, however, as the actor is now looking to move behind the camera and pursue directing.
In a statement, Moloney said: "After 30 years of playing Toadie, I will be leaving Ramsay Street. I can’t tell you what is happening to the character – maybe I could be the next Jim Robinson. Or maybe I’ll be the next Harold Bishop and keep popping back over the years.
"And although I won’t be bringing you our fantastic storylines from in front of the camera, I will be bringing them to you from the other side, behind the camera. I’ve just started director training and have just finished filming my first episode as director – so I really hope that you enjoy that."
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In a message to the show’s fans, Moloney said: "Thank you for all the love that you have shown me and Toadie over the years. Three decades, in fact. I’ll miss you, I’ll miss him, and I’ll miss Erinsborough… but whatever you do, make sure you don’t miss what’s going to happen in Ramsay Street."
Executive producer Jason Herbison said: "Toadie is an Australian television icon and Ryan is Ramsay Street royalty. The street won’t be the same without seeing him every week, although there’s every chance he will pop back in the future.
"In the meantime, we’re thrilled to support his directing ambitions and can’t wait for viewers to see how Toadie’s season-long story arc plays out. Ryan’s been instrumental in the journey and has blown us away with his performance."
Moloney recently took a short break from the show and returned in April, as Toadie attempted to win back his wife Terese, after he slept with his ex-wife Melanie behind her back.
Neighbours releases new episodes from Mondays to Thursdays for free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and US. In Australia, the show airs from Mondays to Thursdays at 4pm on Channel 10, with a 6.30pm repeat screening on 10 Peach Comedy.
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