He’s been part of our lives for over 25 years, as he played daytime TV hunk Ridge Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful.

But as Ronn Moss’s character departs Aussie screens today, the actor has finally revealed the real reasons for his departure.

While confessing that he was asked to take a sizeable pay cut, the star says that a horrific car accident was the real impetus behind his shock decision – which has left many fans wondering about the future of the show.

‘I haven’t had a chance to do a lot of things because I’d chosen to dedicate my life to Bold,’ he tells New Idea of his shock decision to quit.

‘That, and negotiations for a new contract that wanted me to take a sizeable pay cut for doing the work I had done for 25 years.’

Memories! Ronn Moss has played the central role in one of the most drama-filled love triangles of TV history. Source: Getty

When Ronn and wife Devin were involved in a serious car accident, he saw it as a sign to do something else with his life.

‘[The accident] literally turned us around. It was all very symbolic,’ he says.

‘And it made me realise, now is the time to take my life back. I’m lucky to even have my life.’

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Adding to the drama of Ronn’s decision to leave was an announcement by co-star Susan Flannery – who plays his mother Stephanie on the show – that she also wanted out.

The love triangle pose for another photos for their 6000th episode in 2011. Source: Getty

‘She had her own reasons,’ Ronn says cryptically. ‘I won’t say what they are.’

But according to US reports, those reasons include the producers’ decision to base most of the show’s recent plots around the younger characters – particularly a love triangle involving Hope, Liam and Steffy.

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While Ronn won’t be drawn on talk of cast discontent about the direction of the show, he confesses to New Idea that some past plotlines left him raising his eyebrows – including one with incestuous overtones.

When asked about the most shocking plotline from his 25 years on the show, Ronn doesn’t hesitate.

‘When Bridget, my presumed daughter, got all of sudden enamored with Ridge. I delivered her in the Big Bear Cabin thinking she was my daughter, found out she was my dad’s daughter, then found out that I was not biologically related to her at all because I turned out to be Massimo Marone’s son instead of Eric’s,’ he says.

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‘As soon as Bridget finds out she’s not biologically related to Ridge, she all of a sudden became enamored with him.