TV legend makes UK tour announcement after being axed from major show 

Neighbours have confirmed actress Lucinda Cowden as the next name taking to the stage in their 40th Anniversary Tour.

The news came just hours after the star confirmed she had been let go at the end of her contract, with her final scenes as zany Melanie Pearson airing in the coming weeks.

It was revealed in April that cast of the famous Australian soap will make appearances in 6 venues across the UK next year – including the world-famous London Palladium, which first welcomed the show to perform as part of the Royal Variety Performance in 1988.

This follows on from a sell-out fifteen date Celebration Tour last year, which featured a number of the show’s legends discussing life on the Australian soap.

In August, the first three names taking part in the 40th birthday bash were revealed; Majella Davis, Tim Kano and Rebekah Elmaloglou, who play Krista Sinclair, Leo Tanaka and Terese Willis.

The upcoming tour will be hosted by Sky News anchor and self professed superfan Leah Boleto, who also appeared on last year’s road trip. 

Last night, a video featuring Lucinda was released to undoubtedly soften the devastating blow that viewers felt upon learning she was leaving.

‘Guess who’s coming to the UK next year!’ she enthused in the clip.

‘It’s me… I am just a little bit excited that I’ve been included in the incredible cast that is coming over for the Neighbours 40 year anniversary tour.

‘We’re heading over in February, we’re going to be touring all over the place giving you a little bit of a taste of life Down Under and we’re going to be telling you stories that you’ve never heard before – giving you a whole other reason to celebrate this amazing show of ours which is turning 40 years old.’

Beloved Melanie first arrived on Ramsay Street for two episodes in 1987 as the girlfriend of Henry Ramsay (Craig McLachlan), thoroughly winding up Madge (Anne Charleston), Charlene (Kylie Minogue), and Scott (Jason Donovan) in the process.

After becoming a series regular, the character settled down with Joe Mangel (Mark Little), before leaving in 1991.

She wouldn’t be seen in Erinsborough again for thirty years. Upon her return, she had a whirlwind romance with Toadie Rebecchi (Ryan Moloney), with the two marrying in what was then believed to be the last ever episode.

In more recent weeks she’s become entwined in a love triangle with Jane Harris (Annie Jones) and Vic Stone (Craig Hall), and it seems that the chance of a new adventure with Vic will be her reason for leaving.

Spoilers pictures show the residents gathering to throw her a leaving party at The 82 tram café, before she tearfully drives off in her Drinks Divas van.

‘I’m off, it’s true. I’m sorry. 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 told the NeighBens YouTube channel.

‘I found out in December last year, a couple of days before the Neighbours Christmas party

‘It’s not the news I would like to tell. So many people have been sending me messages, you feel like a bit like you’re letting people down.’

A number of Metro readers have expressed upset at the news, with one writing on X: ‘Mel will be missed.’

Another added: ‘It’s a shame that Melanie is leaving Neighbours. She will be missed on the show. Here’s hoping that the new producer of EastEnders employs @CowdenLucinda to play an old school friend of Jean Slater. Now that would be a great sausage surprise.’

‘Been an absolute pleasure watching you all these years, you were my favourite character. Gutted to see you go. Thanks for entertaining me, Ramsay Street won’t be the same without you, your bubbly personality and your legendary laugh’ cried another.

It certainly is the end of an era!

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