Neighbours star's surprising career move after announcing shock departure

Neighbours fans around the world are devastated after longtime star Ryan Moloney announced that he would be leaving the iconic Australian soap opera. The 44-year-old has been playing Jarrod ‘Toadfish’ Rebecchi, better known as ‘Toadie’, on the show since 1995, making him the third-longest running character after Karl and Susan Kennedy.

The official Neighbours Instagram account posted a video message from Ryan on Thursday revealing that he will officially be saying goodbye to Ramsay Street later this year.

“After 30 years of playing Toadie, I will be leaving Ramsay Street,” he said. “Now, I can’t tell you what is going to happen to the character, whether or not we are going to see him again. Maybe I could be the next Jim Robinson. Or maybe I'll be the next Harold Bishop and just keep popping back over the years.”

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Although Ryan will no longer be in front of the camera, he shared that he’s embarking on an exciting new career venture stepping into the role of director.

“I’ve just started director training and have just finished filming my first episode as a director, so I really hope that you enjoy that,” he said.

“Thank you all so much for all the love that you have shown me and Toadie over the years. For three decades, in fact. I’m gonna miss you, I’m gonna miss him, and I’m gonna miss Erinsborough… but whatever you do, make sure you do not miss what’s going to happen on Ramsay Street.”

Neighbours’ executive producer Jason Herbison added in a statement that Ramsey Street won’t be the same without Ryan, however, “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,” he detailed. “Ryan’s been instrumental in the journey and has blown us away with his performance.”

Fans share their hopes for Toadie's exit

Following the news, fans and fellow Neighbours stars took to social media to farewell the Australian TV icon and share their well wishes.

“Icon, legend and one of the kindest, most intelligent people I know. You are absolutely going to crush directing! I look forward to acting in your directorial debut feature film,” April Rose Pengilly commented.

“Omg what?! Toadie is iconic. Won’t be the same. Hopefully he comes back to Erinsborough for a visit,” another added, while someone else said, “Literally one of the legends!! So sad Toadie is leaving”.

“You brought the mullet to the UK and so much joy and heartache with this character, I wish you all the very best in your new career. Let’s hope for a happy ending so we can get to see Toadfish every now and again,” a different user replied.

Meanwhile, others began predicting how Toadie's exit will play out on screen - with many hoping that his former wife Dee Bliss would return. The pair married in 2003 and she disappeared in the ocean after a car crash on the way to their honeymoon, although she returned for a brief story arc in 2020.

“Bring back Dee to give Toadie his happy ending,” a fan replied, with another writing, “Fingers crossed we get Dee back, and we can all be comforted by a Toadie and Sonya [his deceased wife] reunion, albeit behind the camera!”.

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“PLEASE BRING DEE BACK AND LET TOADIE FINALLY HAVE HIS HAPPY EVER AFTER!!!!! It’s the only way; anything else will just not be fitting for the Toad!” someone else declared.

“I hope you’ve managed to get Madeleine West back one last time for his exit. Toadie and Dee having their happy ever after would be the perfect endgame,” another viewer commented.

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