Aussie TV legend Ryan Moloney leaving Neighbours after 30 years

Ryan Moloney’s played Toadfish on Neighbours since he was a teen - now, the actor’s sent fans into a tailspin with some big news.

It’s the end of an era. Actor Ryan Moloney, who’s played Jarrod ‘Toadfish’ Rebecchi on Neighbours for almost 30 years, has announced he’s leaving the beloved Australian soap opera.

Moloney, 44, made the announcement himself in a video posted to Neighbours’ Instagram account yesterday. He introduced himself as “formerly Jarrod ‘Toadfish’ Rebecchi – that’s right, I did say formerly, because after 30 years playing Toadie, I will be leaving Ramsay Street.”

“I can’t tell you what is happening to the character – 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.”

Yep, “formerly.” Toadie no more!

Moloney gave a hint as to what he plans to do next in his career, revealing that he’d recently started training as a director and hoped to pursue more work behind the camera. In fact, he shared that he’d just finished on his first Neighbours episode as a director.

“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 going to miss you, I’m going to miss him, and I’m going to miss Erinsborough. But whatever you do, make sure you do not miss what is going to happen on Ramsay Street,” he said.

Fans shared their emotional reactions to the news they’d be saying goodbye to a character who’s been on screens since the mid-90s.

“Omg What?! Toadie is iconic. Won’t be the same. Hopefully he comes back to Erinsborough for a visit,” wrote one viewer.

A teenage Toadfish.

Moloney grew up on screen.

“This is so sad! I hope he keeps ‘popping back’ to the street rather than die. I am going to miss toadie,” said another.

“This can’t happen! We need Toadie!” another fan demanded.

Moloney made his debut on Neighbours as a teen in 1995, and stayed with the show until it was axed in 2022. He was then one of the returning cast members when the show was rebooted a year later.

And Toadfish has certainly had a dramatic life in Erinsborough over the years: Moloney’s character has been married no less than five times, including one memorable wedding that ended with he and his new bride driving off a cliff into the ocean.