Neighbours Melanie star's life – quitting soap, 'typecast' fears and battle to save job

Actress Lucinda Cowden joined the hit Aussie soap Neighbours back in 1987, just two years after the show launched in 1985.

She hit our screens as fun-filled Melanie Pearson, famous for her outrageous laugh and whacky fun-loving personality.

She delighted fans when she announced her return to Ramsey Street last year after 30 years away from the soap.

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Since reprising her role as Melanie, Lucinda was devastated to learn that the show will come to an emotional end in August, just three years short of its 40th anniversary.

Lucinda is now a passionate advocate for saving the show from being axed, and has opened up to fans about why she quite the soap in the first place.

As fans enjoy what could be the soap’s last ever scenes, let’s take a look at her journey on the soap, from typecast fears to her petition plight.

Petition to Save Job

After nearly four decades on air, millions of fans across the globe were stunned when it was announced the show would be axed after Channel 5 pulled funding for the soap.

Actress Lucinda joined fans in their outrage and made her own bid to save her job on the popular Aussie soap back in February, calling thew news “devastating.”

The star pledged her signature to a change.org petition titled ‘Channel 5 – Don’t Axe Neighbours’ hoping to save the Australian soap, and in turn, her job, from ending.

“It’s my job… and I love it… and the idea of not being Mel anymore is devastating,” she commented.

The petition reads: “Neighbours is more than just a TV show – it is a source of comfort and entertainment for generations of fans who have watched it for decades – it is one of the most loved TV shows in the UK and brings lots of viewers from all backgrounds to Channel 5’s catalogue of channels.

“Even Adele is a fan. Channel 5 – we plead with you – please find a way to keep Neighbours on air.”

Quitting Soap

She made her first screen appearance all the way back in 1987 and departed her character on the soap in 1991.

Her final scenes saw her marry Joe and head off to Europe for their honeymoon, leading to both of their exits for the soap.

Speaking of her exit, the actress explained to Inside Soap: “I’d been in the series for two and half years and it felt to me as if I’d got the best out of Melanie.”

Cowden continued saying that she did not want to return without her co-star and have to work on a storyline that would see Melanie falling in love with a new character, saying Joe and Melanie’s honeymoon would be the perfect exit for them.

Their departure also coincided with plans to rejuvenate the show after ratings declined.

Lucinda left viewers delighted when she announced she would be returning to the soap again on a recurring basis last year.

“It felt like a gift from the heavens,” she told Digital Spy about being asked to return 30 years later.

“I felt enormously flattered, buoyed and uplifted by it, because it was such a long time ago.

“Neighbours hasn’t been part of my life for a long time, so it was just so joyous to know that people had still kept Melanie in their hearts. It was such a beautiful reaction.”

Typecast Fears

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She may be best known for her role on the iconic soap, but the actress had voiced her fears about being typecast during her role on Ramsey Street, where she played a zany personality who was often seen wearing wacky outfits and boasting an outrageous laugh.

Eager to forge a serious career as a versatile actress, Lucinda left the soap to rediscover herself by touring Britain in a series of pantomimes.

She starred in Aladdin at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury and toured Britain in Peter Pan.

She revealed to the London Evening Standard at the time: “I left Neighbours because I did not want to be typecast. I think I have a lot more to offer.”

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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk