Tim Robards thanks cast and crew after quitting Neighbours

Tim Robards has thanked the cast and crew of \'Neighbours\' after taking the decision to quit the soap.

The 37-year-old actor is set to leave Ramsay Street four weeks earlier than expected, with Don Hany taking over the role of Pierce Greyson for his final scenes.

Tim - who is returning to Sydney to be with his pregnant wife due to coronavirus travel restrictions - wrote on Instagram: "I would like to thank the amazing cast, crew, Fremantle and Network Ten for the incredible opportunity to play Pierce Greyson. I have absolutely loved my time on the show and will miss it immensely.

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"I made the gut wrenching decision to depart Neighbours early as my responsibilities as a husband and father have to take precedence. With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to limit movement between VIC and NSW and the risk of potentially not being able get to my pregnant wife when she needed me the most... we all felt it was best to return home with our impending baby on the way. If I\'ve learnt anything in this pandemic it\'s that the health and wellbeing of my family has to come first.

"Thanks for all the love and support as Pierce Greyson (sic)"

Tim was originally scheduled to film his final scenes in September, but he\'s decided to quit the show prematurely in order to be with his wife Anna Heinrich.

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Recently-introduced travel restrictions between different Australian states have meant that Tim has been forced to choose between his career and his family life.