Neighbours star Ryan Moloney wins top soap award after Toadie's exit

 He's bowing out on a high.

Neighbours star Ryan Moloney has triumphed at the Inside Soap Awards 2024 following his emotional departure from the show, Digital Spy can exclusively reveal.

The actor, who played fan favourite Toadie Rebecchi, has secured the Best Daytime Star prize in this year's voting.

Ryan fought off competition from Home and Away's Ada Nicodemou (Leah Patterson) and Doctors star Kia Pegg (Scarlett Kiernan) to top the public vote.

The news comes just days after Neighbours aired Ryan's exit from the role of Toadie, who has left Erinsborough after an incredible run of nearly 30 years.

Toadie realised that he needed a fresh start after suffering a breakdown over his unresolved traumas from the past, including the death of his late wife Sonya in 2019.

Speaking about the awards result, Ryan commented: "I'm so glad that for my final year on Neighbours, I've been able to tell a story of importance – and one that is often avoided, misunderstood and demonised.

"Mental health and mental illness is something that touches all of us, and if we're to deal with it properly, we need to see it on our mainstream platforms.

"So I'd like to thank my family for the constant grounding, the love and support. I'm thankful to Neighbours for allowing me to hone my skills every single day for the past 30 years.

"And of course to the fans, for their love and support of the character, for voting for me for this award and for allowing the story to resonate so loudly with you.

"It's been a privilege to bring Jarrod 'Toadfish' Rebecchi into your lives and whether it's through directing or performing, I look forward to wherever the next adventure takes me. Much love to you all."

Since finishing up as a show regular at Neighbours, Ryan has started working behind the scenes as a director on the soap. He has also toured the UK with his Toad on the Road theatre show.

Speaking in an Inside Soap chat, which will appear in full in a future issue of the magazine, Ryan added: "It's clear there's a lot of passion for Neighbours, it was the fans who brought it back. This award means that the work I'm doing is resonating with the audience, and I'm grateful for that.

"I'm pretty excited about whatever adventure is next for me. I'm really looking forward to spending some time with my kids. And of course I'm doing the director traineeship as well, which is very much up my alley. Wherever life takes me after this point, it's going to be good.

The Inside Soap Awards 2024 take place in London on Monday evening (September 30), when the rest of the winners will be officially revealed.

Voting opened in July for 15 different awards and, by the start of this week, over 80,000 votes had already been cast by readers of the magazine.

The hotly-contested categories include Best Actor and Actress, Best Villain, Best Comic Performance, Best Storyline and – in a first for the 2024 ceremony – Best Pet.

Fans will also be eager to learn the lucky recipient of the Soap Superstar of 2024 prize, which will be awarded to a cast member who has performed above and beyond the call of duty this year.

While voting for most of the categories has now closed, fans can still have their say in the Best Soap battle until 12pm on Monday. Votes can be cast via the Inside Soap website.

Gary Gillatt, executive editor of Inside Soap magazine, recently commented: "Some of 2024's most challenging and thought-provoking television dominates the storyline and acting categories this year: the bittersweet journey from Paul's MND diagnosis in Coronation Street; the horror of coercive control in a marriage in Emmerdale and abuse within a family in Hollyoaks.

"Meanwhile, EastEnders' tale of the conspiracy of 'The Six' has won many fans. But who'll take home the trophies on the night? All will soon be revealed!"