Ex-Corrie star Ryan Thomas pays tribute to Neighbours after axe

Former Coronation Street star Ryan Thomas, who played Jason Grimshaw on the soap between 2000 and 2016, has shared his sadness at the recent news of Neighbours' axe following 37 years on air and Channel 5's decision to pull funding from the show.

After his exit from Manchester's famous cobbles, Ryan had a short two-month role in Neighbours in 2018 playing Rafael Humphreys. His character was on the path of vengeance against Paul Robinson for the death of his mother, who worked in Paul's factory, but later returned to England after discovering the true culprit – Dakota Davies (Sheree Murphy).

ryan thomas holding the ramsay street sign for neighbours

Fremantle//Channel 5

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Now the soap star has taken to social media to share a series of photos from his time over in Australia, alongside a poignant caption expressing his thanks to the cast and crew for allowing him the opportunity to share the experience with them.

"This show has played a massive part of my childhood growing up and to spend two months out in Australia playing Raphael on this famous street was a dream come true," Ryan shared on Instagram.

"I'm so upset to see such an iconic show finish after all these years. Sending all my love to the cast and crew of Neighbours and a massive thank you for giving me the opportunity, it was an honour!"

Fellow Neighbours star Travis Burns, who played Tyler Brennan on the show the same time as Ryan's appearance, commented "Legend!" and suggested they have a reunion when he's back in the UK later this month.

Similarly, Tim Kano (Leo Tanaka) added: "Bruuuuvvvv come baaaackkkkk we need to do more runway training" and Takaya Honda (David Tanaka) cheekily said of their characters' brief fling: "Loved having you mate! I still get messages about our steamy bedroom scene."

@ryanthomas84//Instagram

Yesterday it was confirmed that the Neighbours writing team has finished plotting the story for the final episode, but one thing we do know is that the soap won't end with tragedy as executive producer Jason Herbison has insisted they want the finale to be a celebration.

"Ramsay Street is eternal and I like to think it will live on in the hearts and minds of the viewers, long after the final scene. I would never, ever blow it up. The ending will be a celebration of the past and the present, with the door very much left open for a future."

Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 6pm on Channel 5 (UK) and Mondays to Thursdays at 6.30pm on 10 Peach (Australia).