Toadie Rebecchi is to stage a huge Neighbours return this month – just weeks after actor Ryan Moloney bowed out after three decades.
Back in June, it was announced that the character was set to exit after Ryan’s contract wasn’t renewed – though he had previously expressed a desire to quit, a plan which was halted when British broadcaster Channel 5 axed the show in 2022, meaning that without their funding it couldn’t continue down under.
Ryan realised it was best if he stayed on to be part of the history-making finale, and then agreed to return again for its grand return on Amazon Freevee last year.
‘When Neighbours came back, we’d got a 12-month option [on the] contract, and I guess that was sort of their plan to kind of wind up Toadie in a way’ Ryan told Metro in an exclusive chat.
‘The producers well and truly knew that I wanted to move on and do other things, but at the same time I’m a sucker for experiences.’
An emotional final episode in September saw Toadie drive out of Erinsborough with his children Nell (Ayisha Salem-Towner) and Hugo (Tanner Ellis-Anderson) for pastures new in Colac.
However, new spoiler pictures show the legendary character and his children making their way back to Ramsay Street.
Toadie can be seen reuniting with maternal figure Susan Kennedy (Jackie Woodburne) in the episode that will air on 27th November, in what seems like a tense exchange.
He also catches up with estranged wife Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou), who is sat working in Harold’s Cafe – and she doesn’t seem happy to see him, despite making amends before he left!
Another shot shows an emotional exchange with Susan and Nell in the Kennedy family home. The trio look tearful, could they be making a big decision for her future?
We know from her numerous returns in recent weeks that she isn’t exactly happy with her new living arrangements, initially running off to visit boyfriend JJ Varga-Murphy (Riley Bryant) and later joining his family for dinner.
Could Susan and husband Karl (Alan Fletcher) offer a home for the Rebecchi youngster, just like they did for her dad back in the 90s?
It could be that she’s planning to move in with Terese, as spoilers reveal that she will be ‘shocked by a proposal’, later fighting for ‘what she wants’.
In other pictures, Toadie can be seen enjoying a jovial moment with Susan at his former home, which is dressed for Christmas.
Later, Terese, Toadie and Hugo can be seen applauding Nell as she makes a speech during her 16th birthday bash. The joyous occasion could be bittersweet for Toad if his daughter has decided to stay in the area.
We also know that ‘a celebration takes a devastating turn’ in this episode.
During his recent UK tour, Ryan confirmed that he still had 5 weeks left on his contract, and therefore didn’t rule out a return.
It’s assumed that some of these appearances will coincide with the upcoming 40th anniversary, which takes place in March.
