'Neighbours' star laments Elle's exit

Neighbours star Ryan Moloney has admitted that he was saddened by Pippa Black's decision to quit the soap.

Black announced that she was to leave her role as Elle Robinson last June. The actress, who is expected to pursue opportunities overseas, has already left screens in Australia but not yet bowed out in the UK.

In a new interview with TV Week, Moloney - better known as Ramsay Street legend Jarrod 'Toadfish' Rebecchi - named Black's departure as one which affected him the most.

He said: "I miss Pippa Black. I think it's a real shame she left. She's a lot of fun to be around and she just adds to your day. Although, in the same breath, there are a bunch of new people coming in who bring something else to the show."

Asked if he would ever call time on his own role, Moloney replied: "At the end of the day, I was 15 years old when I got this gig and it's really, really good. It beats working for a living so I don't see any reason to leave."

> Neighbours exec praises Pippa Black