April Rose Pengilly pens a special tribute to her ‘TV husband’ Tim Robards after he quit Neighbours

Former Bachelor star Tim Robards shocked fans on Wednesday, when he announced that he’s leaving Neighbours. 

And on Saturday, his co-star and onscreen ‘wife’ April Rose Pengilly penned a heartfelt tribute to Tim, 37.

The 32-year-old shared a photo of herself and Tim, who played wealthy businessman Pierce Greyson on the long-running show, alongside a lengthy message on Instagram.

The actress, who plays Pierce’s wife Chloe Brennan, wrote: ‘Tim has been my kind, cheeky, supportive on-screen partner for over a year, and it is heartbreaking to lose him like this – we didn’t even get to say a proper farewell.’

‘But he is doing the right thing for his family and has our full support.’

‘Thank you, Tim, for being my wonderful fake husband – I know you’ll be an even better real dad,’ she added, before going on to thank fans for their love and support. 

April also thanked her co-star Don Hany, who has starred in Offspring and East West 101, who will be replacing Tim until the end of Pierce’s complex story line. 

She assured fans that while the transition will be strange, it was for the best option for the cast, crew and the show.

‘I know it will be a little strange for Pierce to suddenly be a different person (believe me, it was bizarre for us too!), but we are all doing our best to take care of ourselves and one another, while still managing to give you the show,’ she said. 

The blonde beauty explained that Australian fans will see Tim’s final scenes in October, before it will be taken over by Don, who she revealed had to ‘take on the role with only 2 days’ notice.’

On Wednesday, Tim shocked fans when he announced in an official statement on that he’s leaving Neighbours, two years after joining the Channel Ten soap.  

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.

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. 

‘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. 

‘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. 

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.