One of Neighbours' most beloved actresses has said she is now "unemployed" after 37 years.
Lucinda Cowden has been a staple of the show for almost four decades, taking on the role of Melanie Pearson in the much-loved Aussie soap. However, she has now confirmed that she will be leaving the soap for good, and has already filmed her final scenes.
After coming to an end in 2022, Neighbours was soon picked up by Amazon Prime Video, who jumped forward in time to make new storylines. Since then, the show has had an uncertain future, but was renewed earlier this summer.
READ MORE: Neighbours legend admits unemployment struggle as they feared soap axe 'was the end'
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Currently, Melanie is in the midst of a love triangle involving her and characters Jane Harris and Vic Stone, played by Annie Jones and Craig Hall respectively. But fans were left stunned when actress Lucinda confirmed she was being sacked from the show.
Speaking on the NeighBens Youtube show, which discusses all things Neighbours, Lucinda confirmed the news that she was leaving the show behind. Chatting with hosts Ben Bone and Ben Fenlon, she explained: "I’m unemployed! I’m off, it’s true. I’m sorry."
She added: "I can’t do anything about it, it wasn’t my decision. Mel’s off in her truck and doesn’t have any plans to return, immediately."
Recalling how she found out she had been let go, Lucinda said she was given her marching orders in December of 2023. She added that her final scenes have already been filmed, and will involve a huge party for Melanie before she drives off in a van.
The show is currently having an overhaul of its characters, with some of the most recognisable characters bidding Ramsay Street farewell over the past few months. Confessing her true feelings, Lucinda admitted that the year had been filled with "a lot of goodbyes" with her acting co-stars.
"So I rang Ryan [Maloney, who plays Toadie on the soap] to say, 'Sorry babe, I'm off' and got the shock of my life when he said, 'Me too!'" she recalled. "You know, you could've blown me over with a feather."
Lucinda confessed that she was somewhat happy that she was not the only person who had been leaving the show. However, she stoked speculation by believing that screenwriters were unsure what to do with Lucinda after Toadie had left Erinsborough.
Fans were left bereft of her shock exit from the show, flocking to the comments section to make their feelings heard. "FFS! Start the petition, boys - bring back our Mel!" one fan fumed.
"Oh no! I'm gutted - Mel has been one of my faves years and years and definitely a fave of the reboot," confessed a second. Whilst, a third simply added: "Rubbish. What a wonder interview though - love to Lucinda."
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