Neighbours star Georgie Stone explains why fan favourite was killed off

 Neighbours spoilers follow from Monday's episode in the UK (June 13), which some readers may prefer to avoid.

Neighbours star Georgie Stone has spoken to  about the shock decision to kill off Hendrix Greyson.

Monday's episode on Channel 5 featured a tragic turn of events, as Hendrix passed away in hospital after his lung transplant failed. In real life, Ben Turland – who played Hendrix – had decided to leave the show.

Georgie's character Mackenzie Hargreaves was devastated as she was forced to say a heartbreaking goodbye to her husband just a few days after their fairytale wedding ceremony.

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Speaking to  about the emotional storyline, Georgie explained: "I lost my mind when I found out this was coming up. Ben told me about it when we were on set, just before doing a take.

"It was September last year, so it was a while ago now. I had to keep it together because we were on set and I had to be professional, but in my brain I was like: 'What the hell? I've just found out that our characters are getting married and then Hendrix dies?'

"It was crazy and so intense. It absolutely blew me away. It was not a story I was expecting to do, because I'd just done two years of romance, relationship drama and working at the law office."

Asked whether Hendrix was being killed off regardless of whether Neighbours continued or not, Georgie replied: "Yes, it was the plan for a long time. Since at least August last year, that was the plan because Ben's contract was coming to an end.

"It was either a death or they break up, so it had to be this. It really does work with the stories that we've set up from the beginning for Hendrix and Mackenzie.

"Grief is a massive part of Mackenzie's story. She lost her mum when she was 15 and she had to deal with that. Her journey has been trying to find a family and trying to find a home.

"She found a family and a home with Hendrix. She found someone who loved and saw her for who she is. It's an opportunity to see this young woman get everything she wants and then get it ripped away from her straight away.

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"It's devastating, but it's interesting TV, so of course Neighbours goes there. It fits with the core values of the show – family, love and supporting one another when times are hard."

Georgie was speaking to us before the news of Hendrix's death had been publicly announced.

However, raised the possibility that fans may be disappointed by the outcome – especially with the show's finale just a few weeks away and the missed opportunity for Mackenzie and Hendrix to have a happy ending.

Georgie replied: "I absolutely see that and I've thought that myself. He [Ben] just had to stick it out a little bit longer! But when that decision was made, we didn't know that the show was ending. Ben was going to leave regardless, so this was it.

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"I think when the viewers watch it and they see the story that comes afterwards, with Mackenzie's grief and what that brings up, they will see why this story is really important and powerful.

"It really is a classic Neighbours story. There are so many impactful losses that have happened throughout the show's history and that's the stuff that stays with you.

"You can't have that happiness and joy without the darkness, because that is life and it's the dichotomy that Neighbours captures so well. A bittersweet ending is a fitting ending for Neighbours."

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Paying tribute to her on-screen husband, Georgie added: "It was really sad to say goodbye to Ben. He's been a partner in all of this for me and an incredible friend, so it was sad to see him go.

"I selfishly wanted him to stay, but he was going on to do different things. We will absolutely stay in touch – he's a lovely man."

Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 6pm on Channel 5 and streams on My5. In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 6.30pm on 10 Peach and streams on 10 Play.