Bonnie Anderson quits Ramsay Street
Bonnie Anderson’s three years on homegrown soap Neighbours hasn’t been without its drama, both on and off the screen.
Fiona Byrne
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A three year stint on Neighbours has been the wake up call talented singer and actor Bonnie Anderson needed.
Anderson came to the iconic soap as a former child star who had won Australia’s Got Talent as a 12-year-old and at 23 was ready to step into a discipline other than singing.
“I was like a pig in mud at that place,” Anderson said of Ramsay Street.
“Neighbours really changed my life for the better in so, so many ways.
“I feel like at the age I was, 23, when I joined the show it has really shaped me into the person that I am today.
“I have overcome a lot, I have grown and I am proud of the way I live my life.
“It was really good to have that structure and now after three and a half years on that show I have decided it is time for me to continue challenging myself and create space to focus on my music and songwriting and more acting.”
Anderson, 27, is departing Ramsay with her character, Bea Nilsson’s final scenes expected to air mid-year.
Her time on Neighbours has been marked by plenty of highs such as singing the famous theme song, featuring in plenty of juicy storylines and earning a Logie nomination for Best New Talent.
But there were also tough times: a brush with the law after lying to police to protect an ex-boyfriend and having her recently purchased home broken into and her motorbike stolen.
All the experiences have shaped and steeled her focus on new goals.
“I do want to try different things, I don’t want to stick with just one thing,” she said.
“I am ready to spread my wings. I am ready to fly.
“First up it is going to be nice to get into the studio and write some songs and put them out there.”
Neighbours’ Executive Producer, Jason Herbison, said: “Bonnie is a much-loved member of the Neighbours family, an exceptional actor and singer, and we wish her all the best with her next pursuit.
“The door is never closed on Ramsay Street and we hope she will swing by for a visit in the future. There is always a spare room at the Kennedy’s for her.”