Tim Robards addresses his decision to QUIT Neighbours and support his pregnant wife Anna Heinrich
Former Bachelor Tim Robards announced in an official statement on Wednesday that he’s leaving Neighbours, two years after joining the Channel Ten soap.
And on Friday, the 37-year-old addressed the ‘gut-wrenching decision’ in an Instagram post dedicated to his fans.
The actor explained how COVID-19 travel restrictions and a self-isolated production break in Sydney, prompted him to ‘get back’ to his pregnant wife Anna Heinrich.
New chapter: Former Bachelor Tim Robards (pictured), 37, addressed his decision to quit Neighbours, in order to support his pregnant wife Anna Heinrich, 33, in an Instagram post on Friday
Tim shared a photo of himself enjoying a harbourside walk in Sydney after he completed his mandatory self-isolation.
‘Self-isolation done!! No better feeling than being able to go for a walk and get some fresh air! You may have noticed I’ve been laying pretty low on socials,’ he began.
Tim explained how after returning back home to Sydney from Melbourne, where Neighbours is filmed, he never intended on ‘staying this long’.
‘With the increasing border restrictions amidst my isolation, the decision was made to see out my isolation so I can get back to my wife and impending baby on the way,’ he wrote.
Priorities: Tim shared a selfie while on a harbourside walk in Sydney after completing self-isolation. He explained how COVID-19 travel restrictions prompted him to stay back in Sydney, and not return to Melbourne where Neighbours is filmed, to be with Anna (pictured), 33
‘My hat goes off to all those who have and are self-isolating, it’s no easy feat!’
Tim, who plays wealthy businessman Pierce Greyson on Neighbours, was originally scheduled to film his final scenes in September.
However, he will now wrap up four weeks early to prepare for the arrival of his first child with Anna, 33.
Saying goodbye to Ramsay Street: Tim announced he has quit Neighbours in order to prepare for life as a father, in an official statement released by Channel Ten on Wednesday
‘I made the gut-wrenching decision to depart Neighbours early as my responsibilities as a husband and father have to take precedence,’ he said in an official statement on Wednesday.
‘If I’ve learnt anything in this pandemic it’s that the health and well-being of my family has to come first.’
Tim joined the cast of Neighbours in July 2018, and his filming requirements forced him and Bondi-based lawyer Anna into a long-distance relationship.
‘I made the gut-wrenching decision’: After spending most of Anna’s pregnancy in Melbourne, Tim said he had finally been forced to choose between his career and his responsibilities as an expectant father
For two years, he spent his weeks in Melbourne and returned to Sydney on weekends to be with his wife.
However, recent travel restrictions made this commute impossible and he found himself with no choice but to move back to NSW permanently.
Pierce has been recast for the character’s final scenes, with lookalike actor Don Hany, 44, stepping in to replace Tim.
Tim’s final episode on Ramsay Street will air on Monday, October 19.
New chapter: Due to strict COVID-19 lockdown travel restrictions, Tim has wrapped up filming four weeks early so he can prepare for the arrival of his first child with Anna
Same name, new face: Meanwhile, the role of Pierce has been recast for the character’s final scenes, with lookalike actor Don Hany (pictured) stepping in to replace Tim