Neighbours legend ‘sacked’ from soap after 37 years as fans threaten to ‘boycott’ show
Actress Lucinda Cowden has announced she is now "unemployed" after a 37-year stint on Neighbours.
After nearly four decades, Melanie Pearson is set to bid farewell to Ramsay Street as actress Lucinda Cowden revealed she was “unemployed” – a revelation that fans are refusing to accept.
The 59 year old actress first graced Neighbours in 1987 before departing the show four years later. Following a brief appearance in the programme’s 20th anniversary documentary in 2005, Lucinda made a regular return to the show in 2021.
In recent episodes of the beloved Australian soap, which Amazon Prime Video revived this summer, Melanie found herself caught in a dramatic love triangle with Jane Harris and Vic Stone. However, her time in Erinsborough is nearing its end.
During an interview on the NeighBens YouTube show with hosts Ben Bone and Ben Fenlon, Lucinda dropped the bombshell, expressing her dismay as she announced: “I’m unemployed! I’m off, it’s true. I’m sorry.”
She then informed fans that the decision was not hers: “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.”
Lucinda Cowden’s upcoming exit has triggered backlash on social media (Image: Getty Images)
She also mentioned experiencing a “year of a lot of goodbyes” on the show.
“So I rang Ryan [Maloney] to say, ‘Sorry babe, I’m off’ and got the shock of my life when he said, ‘Me too! ‘ You know, you could’ve blown me over with a feather. It kind of made a little bit of sense for me rather than if it was just me.”
Lucinda’s announcement sparked a flurry of online reactions, particularly from X, as numerous Neighbours fans expressed their disappointment with the decision. “Why is everyone leaving Neighbours? Firstly Haz and Mack, then Toadie, and now Melanie is set to depart. Not sure how much longer the next chapter will last tbh”, one fan lamented.
“Well this sucks. Melanie/Lucinda is one of the show’s best. I presume it’s budget reasons, but it was a mistake with Sonya, a mistake with Toadie, and another mistake with Mel. I hope someone sees sense soon”, another echoed. A third slammed the decision as “ridiculous”, writing: “#Neighbours Thank you for axing one of our favourite characters – absolute ridiculous decision. Melanie is a legend and should stay in the show.”
A final viewer reminisced: “In 1996, Lou Carpenter was written out of #Neighbours. Viewers created petitions calling for his return and the strength of their reaction caused the producers to reconsider their decision and reinstate him. The same can be done for Melanie Pearson!”
Just like Lucinda, Ryan Maloney, another Neighbours legend, recently left the show.
Known for his portrayal of the much-loved Jarrod “Toadie” Rebecchi, Ryan announced his departure from Ramsay Street earlier this year after an impressive 30-year stint.
Reflecting on his departure from the renowned show Neighbours during a Good Morning Britain appearance in August, Ryan shared heartfelt insights with Charlotte Hawkins and Richard Madeley.
He explained: “It’s been my life, really. I started when I was 15, so I’ve grown up on the show and me personally I’ve gotten married, had kids, built farms, learnt lots of other bits and pieces. It’s very much my life. I’ve spent more time on Neighbours than I have off.”
Looking ahead, Ryan said: “I’m really just leaving the slate open for whatever. I’m not particularly attached to continuing on. I’ve been acting for over 30 years now, if that continues then fantastic. Directing has really got my synapses firing again, so hopefully that happens.”
Moreover, he confessed his contentment with life’s more humble activities, announcing, “But I’m actually really quite happy building farm fences and playing with animals and spending time with the kids. So if I never get employed and I do that again, then happy days!”
