Steph leaves Neighbourhood
LONGTIME Neighbours favourite Carla Bonner is quitting Ramsay St.
Bonner is departing the long-running soap in September, but will continue to be seen on air until the end of the year.
Bonner has played Stephanie Scully in the family drama for the past 11 years.
Once she finishes on the show, Bonner will head to LA for meetings and to take part in acting workshops.
However, she has no plans to pack up and leave Melbourne for good.
After her LA sojourn, Bonner will return home to Melbourne where she is based with two sons, Harley and Jhye, and her boyfriend, Jason Shepherd.
``I'm very sad that Carla is leaving us and she knows the door is always open for Steph to return to Ramsay St,'' said Neighbours executive producer Susan Bower.
``The storylines on air and coming up showcase what an exceptional talent Carla is and while fans will be disappointed, I promise Steph's farewell will be long remembered and will do the character proud.''
While Bonner is departing, producers are still hopeful that Kylie Minogue will make a brief return to the soap.
Minogue said last month she had been considering a return to the show where she found fame.
Producers have contacted Minogue's management in the hope the evergreen pop queen might be able to fit in a cameo appearance on Ramsay St when she visits Melbourne next month to catch up with her sister Dannii after the birth of her first child.
Minogue, who played Charlene Robinson, left the soap 22 years ago.