Steph Scully (Carla Bonner)

[Sparklydee]

Noooo. If you mind me asking, where did you find that she has left/filmed her final scenes?

A couple of her insta posts suggested it, and her boyfriend was on set on 9 March supporting her. Mavournee’s insta story for the following week showed Carla’s photo had been taken down from the wall in the make-up room, and someone who has a pretty reliable source said they were told that her final scenes were on 9th. So putting all this together with her Twitter comment it seems as if it’s true, but she could be just taking a break rather than leaving permanently, hope so anyway!

[AussieTV]

A couple of her insta posts suggested it, and her boyfriend was on set on 9 March supporting her. Mavournee’s insta story for the following week showed Carla’s photo had been taken down from the wall in the make-up room, and someone who has a pretty reliable source said they were told that her final scenes were on 9th. So putting all this together with her Twitter comment it seems as if it’s true, but she could be just taking a break rather than leaving permanently, hope so anyway!

Ahhh, okay, thanks. . Hopefully she is only taking break!

[Pantherboy]

Digital Spy article:


7 reasons why losing Neighbours' Steph Scully is a massive mistake.

Where do we sign the petition?

Say it ain't so! Unless the rumour mill has badly malfunctioned, it seems that Neighbours fans only have a few weeks left to enjoy Steph Scully on their screens.

Carla Bonner, who plays the fan favourite, dropped a massive hint about Steph's upcoming exit on her Twitter page last month and sent her loyal followers into meltdown as the bad news sunk in.

As is usually the case with cast changes, Neighbours bosses aren't commenting on Steph's departure – but Carla has hit the 'like' button on a number of tweets from viewers who are already bemoaning her departure. And we feel just as sad for these seven very important reasons…

1. Steph is one of Ramsay Street's most recognisable faces

If you're a soap producer, one of the golden rules is to keep hold of the well-loved faces in the cast for as long as possible. Familiarity is important in long-running shows, as there's nothing worse than tuning back in after missing a few months' worth of episodes and finding that you don't know who anybody is.

In Neighbours, characters like Karl, Susan, Paul and Toadie provide those familiar touchstones for casual viewers – but we'd put Steph on that exclusive list too. The Scully era of Neighbours was a true golden period for the show in the late '90s and early '00s – who can forget the days of Steph, Flick and Michelle ruling the roost on the Street?


2. Carla always delivers in dramatic storylines

Steph has taken centre stage in some of Neighbours' blockbuster storylines over the years – including love triangles, health scares, epic family fall-outs and mental health struggles.

As Carla is one of the most capable actors in Neighbours, writers and storyliners over the years have always known they could rely on her – not only to deliver top-notch performances, but also to explore difficult issues with the sensitivity they deserve.

While Steph has been crimally underused in the storyline stakes recently, we reckon there's still loads more that the writers could have done with her character. Drama is never far away when you're a Scully, after all.


3. Steph has fantastic links to the show's past

After appearing in Neighbours on and off since 1999, Steph has links to a number of other hugely popular characters from the show's rich history. Steph's presence in Erinsborough naturally provides a reason for her mum Lyn Scully to return and it was always a delight to see Janet Andrewartha back in the popular role.

Steph also has connections to other former Ramsay Street residents who we'd love to see back, like Michelle, Valda, Boyd, Summer and Max, so we can't help thinking that her departure closes the door on some of our biggest dream returnees, who wouldn't have much other reason to come back. Boo!


4. Toadie needs her!

Steph and Toadie have one of the strongest friendships in the soap world and we're not ready to see them torn apart just yet. Especially because we're nervously anticipating another action-packed year of drama for Toadie.

With Fake Dee still out there harbouring a big secret, and the real Dee possibly back from the dead too, surely Toadie will need someone to help him get his head around it all? Keeping track of both Dees is definitely a two-person job.


5. The show is losing a great bisexual character

Neighbours is unquestionably the most progressive of the Aussie soaps with its LGBT representation, and although she's not defined by her sexuality, Steph's storylines have been a key part of that in the past few years. As well as having relationships with Mark Brennan and Jack Callahan in her latest stint on the Street, Steph's also had romantic storylines with Belinda Bell and Victoria Lamb – and is seen by many fans as a positive role model.

Praising the decision to explore Steph's sexuality in 2015, Carla described it as "a really smart move on the part of the writers and producer". She added: "If it contributes to normalising same-sex relationships in some way, that's great."


6. The show is waving goodbye to too many popular characters

Neighbours managed to keep a lot of stability in the cast last year, but fans have had the rug pulled from under them recently with Tyler, Paige, Jack and Ben all leaving in quick succession. Steph will be the fifth character to leave this year, which is a pretty big deal in Neighbours terms since the cast is so small.

While we've enjoyed getting to know new arrivals like Chloe Brennan and the extended Rebecchi family, we still need the old favourites and Steph's departure could be an exit too far for some viewers.


7. She's the most popular Neighbours character – officially!

Well, kind of. In 2010, a Neighbours poll commissioned for the show's 25th anniversary saw Steph named as the most popular character of all time – beating the likes of Toadie, Harold and even Kylie Minogue's iconic alter ego Charlene Robinson.

This popularity wasn't just a rogue result, either. Way back in 2002, CBBC's Newsround programme had a similar poll which also saw Steph come out in front as the most popular Neighbours character on screen at the time. Impressive stuff!


Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5.

[Aussieguy]

Bit surprised that Steph is the most popular character ever. Would have thought perhaps Harold or Susan or even Toad.

[lizann]

Bit surprised that Steph is the most popular character ever. Would have thought perhaps Harold or Susan or even Toad.

she wouldn't be mine

[Mirjam]

It is confirmed that Steph indeed will be leaving neighbours: http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neig...-scullys-exit/

[Pantherboy]

Digital Spy article:


Neighbours reveals Steph Scully's exit storyline in new pictures.

It's the end of an era!

http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/neig...xit-storyline/

Neighbours legend Steph Scully says a bittersweet farewell to Ramsay Street in these brand new pictures.

Following two months of rumours surrounding her future, Steph bows out from the show next week after nearly three years back on screen as a regular character.

Upcoming episodes see Steph finalise her plans to move to Sydney, but she won't be leaving alone.

Following recent dramas at home, Max Hoyland's wife Philippa agrees that Steph's eldest son Charlie (Alexander McGuire) can join her for a while when she moves away.

This will give Max and Philippa some time to work on their rocky marriage, while also allowing Steph to strengthen the bond she has with her son.

Much to Steph's delight, there's also a final surprise for her before she leaves, as Toadie flies in her youngest son Adam Fitzgerald (Archie Campbell) to join her and Charlie on their road trip.

Finally reunited with both of her sons, a grateful and overwhelmed Steph bids an emotional farewell to Toadie and Sonya, before hitting the road with the boys to build her brand new life.

Carla Bonner, who plays Steph, let news of her departure slip on Twitter in March after Neighbours fans had started to question her lack of storylines.

Carla told her followers that they were being "weaned", leaving many viewers upset that Steph would be departing Erinsborough again.

The popular star has played Steph on and off since 1999.

Neighbours airs these scenes on Thursday, June 7 at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5.

[Pantherboy]

Digital Spy article on Steph's exit:


Neighbours: 8 of Steph Scully's greatest moments as she bows out from Ramsay Street.
Come back soon!

Neighbours fans will need their tissues today (June 7) as a Ramsay Street favourite bids farewell for the latest and perhaps final time. Yes, nearly two decades since she first rocked up, Steph Scully (Carla Bonner) is departing Ramsay Street once again and thankfully this time, on much happier terms.

A lot can happen in 19 years and no-one knows that better than Steph Scully. Multiple marriages and near marriages, children and stepchildren, career changes, bike crashes, illness, infidelity… she's done it all. So, as we wave goodbye, let's take look at some of Steph's best and most unforgettable moments.

1. Steph's secret love for Drew

Scott and Charlene. Karl and Susan. Harold and Lou. Madge and her croaky voice. Neighbours is full of memorable pairings, and up there with the best of them were Steph and Libby. The chemistry between Carla Bonner and Kym Valentine was some of the best in soap, and fans loved them. Instant BFFs, their friendship even survived a memorable bike crash that left Libby almost-certainly unable to have children. Enter Libby's soulmate, hunky mechanic Drew.

Lusting after your best friend's man is hardly the most endearing trait, but what made it different was that Steph never acted on it. There was no cheap affair and no stolen kisses. Steph silently pined and even when the truth was finally revealed, she respected Libby and Drew and stepped aside.

Steph remained a loyal friend right to the end, which is more than can be said for the horse that took Drew's life. Let's just hope Steph never told Libby about that series of erotic dreams featuring Drew in 2006, eh?

2. Steph and Marc's wedding day disaster

No, not Mark Brennan, but rather Marc Lambert, one-time assistant-manager of Lassiter's. With Drew unobtainable, Steph forged ahead with a rushed engagement to the sleazy Mr Lambert. There was just one problem: he was also having it off with Steph's little sister, Flick.

Guilt eventually got the better of the cheating pair on the big day and Steph was left feeling like a fool at the altar, but there's a saying: hell hath no fury like a Scully scorned.

Steph proved it as she ripped Flick a new one right in the middle of Ramsay Street. While Marc was a bit of a plot device, the fallout was fantastic, and the wedding day showdown was a truly unforgettable moment.

3. Steph's battle with cancer

When Steph met and fell in love with single dad Max Hoyland, Steph settled into domestic bliss and it seemed like things were finally looking up. Then the worst happened, and Steph received a devastating breast cancer diagnosis.

Despite her setbacks, Steph had always remained fiery and confident – which made this storyline even more upsetting. Eager to protect Max and the kids, Steph ended their relationship. She lost her hair and her usual array of vests gave way to baggy clothes to hide her body.

As always, Carla Bonner rose to the challenge and delivered some of her best scenes as she portrayed Steph's battle and proved herself to be one of Neighbours' finest talents.

4. Steph fights to save her son

When Steph discovered she was pregnant a few years later, she was elated, and it seemed she could finally have it all. However, true to form, nothing ever runs smoothly for our Steph and those erotic dreams about Drew were a warning that her cancer had returned – and this time it wasn't just her life on the line.

With Karl unable to guarantee that treatment wouldn't affect Charlie's health, Steph made the daring decision to forego chemotherapy until her child was born. While Max tried to have her sectioned, Steph fought for Charlie's survival, despite her own failing health. Luckily things worked out for both mum and son, but the incident proved that Steph would never let anyone dictate her actions or her body.

5. Steph's baby lie

After her marriage with Max broke up for good, and after a runaway bride moment at the altar with Toadie, there was only ever really one more man for her: Lucas Fitzgerald. When Steph saw Libby and Lucas kiss, she made one of the biggest mistakes of her life – sleeping with Libby's ex-husband, Dan! Lucky for Steph, Dan swiftly departed, and the secret seemed safe… until Steph discovered she was pregnant.

Not wanting to break her bestie's heart, Steph and Toadie concocted to a plot to pretend the baby was Toadie's and resume their previous relationship. What could go wrong?

Well, just about everything. Toadie began to fall for Sonya and of course, pesky Paul Robinson getting involved and playing a recording about the lie in a packed-out pub! The resulting drama was fantastic and the confrontation between the former friends was electric. However, this was to be the greatest turning point in Steph's life so far.

6. Steph gets sent down

When Carla Bonner's departure was announced in 2010, fans hoped Steph could make amends and leave on a high, but it wasn't to be, and few could've predicted just how bad things would end up. Steph gave her new son to his father and fell into a deep depression. When Libby reached out to help her friend reconsider, the resulting argument caused Steph to speed off and kill Ringo Brown in a bike crash.

Despite a moving plea from Ringo's wife Donna, not even the future Oscar nominee Margot Robbie could save Steph from a prison sentence. As she was led off to jail after 11 years on the show, fans were horrified at such a sad exit for a much-loved character. Was this really going to be it for Steph?

7. The comeback

When a brief return in 2013 caused Steph to 'do a Ronnie Mitchell' and steal a baby, fans had pretty much given up hope that Steph could return and be redeemed. Fast forward to 2015 and the soap gods mercifully decided that Steph was due a second chance, but as a different woman to the character we last saw.

Having received psychiatric help, Steph was now a shining example of a soap character living with their mental illness but refusing to let it rule her life. Steph was a far cry from the usual depiction of mental illness as 'crazy.'

Not only was Steph's return a refreshing portrayal of mental health, but she also helped diversify Ramsay Street by coming out as bisexual after having an affair with her former nurse, Belinda.

8. Steph rebuilds her life

Steph's most recent stint has seen her have a varied life. She's jumped from mechanic to motel owner, to wellbeing guru, she's had a fling with a former priest and even shocked us all by becoming friends with her former enemy Paul.

The most satisfying scenes, however, were those with her family. It was fab to see shrill Lyn pop up to cause a bit of grief in her own loving way and seeing Steph slowly but surely gain the trust of her sons. Getting her boys back in her life has been a rewarding watch and exactly what Steph's deserved after so many years of difficulty.

As she waves goodbye Erinsborough with her two boys in tow, let's hope it's a farewell for now. We'd love to see her return in a few years with her sons, a wife, a few stepkids and even dotty Lyn back to boot. Until then, we'll miss Steph Scully, a modern-day soap legend.

Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5.

[lizann]

she should be back for toad

[Ruffed_lemur]

she should be back for toad

Would be lovely if they could get her back, she'd be a great help to Toadie.

They have done well getting others back though.