Neighbours fans outraged after long running star Lucinda Cowden announces her time is up on the beloved series

Aussie soapie fans are up in arms after Neighbours star Lucinda Cowden revealed her unexpected departure from the long-running show.

Cowden, who played fan favourite Melanie Pearson made the revelation while chatting with Ben Bone and Ben Fenlon on their popular YouTube show NeighBens, which discusses all things related to the popular program.

The 59-year-old actress first joined the Australian soap in 1987 but left four years later and returned to the show on a regular basis after returning for a brief cameo on the program’s 20th documentary special in 2005.

Cowden let the news slip when she told the hosts, “I’m unemployed! 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,” she added.

Viewers of the show shared their outrage in the comment section and demanded the producers rehire the “life and soul” of the show.

“FFS. She is the best thing about Neighbours,” one commented

“Lucinda is such a champion of Neighbours and understands the show so well. I think it’s very short sighted but I’m hoping there’s more returns to come. Thank you for being so fabulous,” another added.

“I am watching this and BLOODY fuming. There are so many storylines they could have done for Mel. Stupid decision.”

“Bloody ridiculous decision…..there would be plenty of storylines for our Mel! Heartbroken for Lucinda.”

While another fan wrote simply, “I will start a petition.”

Cowden’s departure comes after another much-loved resident of Erinsborough said his goodbyes earlier in the year.

Actor Ryan Moloney, who portrayed Jarrod ‘Toadfish’ Rebecchi, bid farewell to Ramsey Street in a video posted on the Neighbours Instagram page earlier in the year.

“Although I won’t be bringing you our fantastic storylines in front of the camera, I do hope to be bringing them to you from the other side – behind the camera,” he said.

“I have just started director training and just finished filming my first episode as director, so I really hope you enjoy that. ”

Later on, Maloney admitted it wasn’t entirely his decision to leave the show while he was speaking to Australian soap opera website Back to the Bay

Although the Aussie soap star said he “felt the pressure” to stay on the show, he had no plans to wrap up the character who made him famous.

“Well, it actually wasn’t my choice. It was their choice,” he said.