Yahoo Finance Neighbours star Sharon Johal confirms exit for Dipi Rebecchi
After four years playing Dipi Rebecchi, Neighbours actress Sharon Johal is officially on her way out of soapland.
She announced the news herself on Instagram today (March 2) via a lengthy post, explaining: "Some of you may have seen this coming but to be honest I put the motions into play over a year ago.
"A number of reasons brought me to here, however inevitably my ambition for growth has ultimately been the decider."
Related: Neighbours star Bonnie Anderson confirms exit from Bea Nilsson role
Johal went on to share her excitement "for what the future holds", before revealing that she's been shadowing director Tenika Smith in the hope of producing her own content.
"I am so utterly grateful for the opportunity and 'break' this iconic show has given me. A show that has run for 35yrs+ requires no commentary, it speaks for itself.
"I have learnt and grown so much in this time technically, professionally but also mentally as this job is rewarding yet challenging in so many ways," she continued.
Further on, the Dipi star acknowledged the unsociable working hours for a production of this scale, and the "long-term exhaustion" she's endured as a result.
Related: Neighbours brings in Sharon Johal's real-life husband as body double for affair storyline
"If I learnt anything during lockdown, it was to question what the point of 'all of this' was and to prioritise what serves me and my family – for now, it's this," she noted.
"I value all that I've learnt. I want to take this opportunity to thank my friends, the crew, writers, make-up, costume, art and pre/post production departments on the show, on screen and off.
"The producers for choosing me as an actor and supporting this next stage of my career-it's never really GOODBYE is it?"
Neighbours airs weekdays at 1.45pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5 (UK) and weekdays at 6.30pm on 10 Peach (Australia).
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