News and Spoilers > Actor Activity

Maggie Kirkpatrick, better known to Home and Away viewers as Jean Chambers and Viv "The Guv" Standish has landed a lead role in the upcoming Australian production of Wicked. The musical tell the untold story of the witches of Oz and Kirkpatrick will play Madame Morrible, the ambiguously motivated headmistress at the school they both attend.

The show is set to open in July at The Regent Theatre in Melbourne, also starring Amanda Harrison, Lucy Durack and Anthony Caella. Tickets are onsale now for what is sure to be a spellbinding show!

Hot on the heels of the announcement that Tim Campbell (Dan) will be hosting the newly revamped Wheel Of Fortune, speculation has risen over the coveted co-host role. Over 700 people have apparently auditioned for the role, with the likes of Lara Bingle, Chloe Maxwell, Lizzy Lovette,Ali Mutch and Gemma Gawned.

But it is one time on-screen wife Holly Brisley that has caught the attention of the casting crew, with some citing that "Brisley is said to have on-screen chemistry with Tim Campbell, no doubt due to their experience on Home and Away." If she is sucessful the starlet will be the third actor in as many months to defect to Nine from Seven, with Tim & Bobby Morley (filming telemovie Scorched) jumping ship after departing from the weeknightly soap.

Is there something in the water in Summer Bay, it seems so if this latest news is anything to go by.

It's that time of the year again when the frocks go on and the stars come out to play. Logie time! The nominations were announced today, with H&A's perennial favourite Kate Ritchie nominated for the Gold Logie. The ceremony is once again in Melbourne, but this time sans hosts, which will be a different thing from the usual.

The other H&A nominees are:

Kate Rictchie, Most Popular Personality On TV
Kate Ritchie, Most Popular Actress
Mark Furze, Most Popular Actor
Paul O'Brien, Most Popular Actor
Charlotte Best, Most Popular New Female Talent
Lincoln Lewis, Most Popular New Male Talent
Home And Away, Most Popular Australian Drama

From all the staff at BTTB we wish all the nominees the best of luck.

After following the lights and glamour of LA, Chris Egan has landed a lead role in a NBC series about the life of King David.

Pitched as a "contemporary soap", Kings will revolve around David (Egan), a warrior who is chosen to join a royal court after saving the life of the king's son.

Since departing the bay, Egan has appeared in films Resident Evil: Extinction, Pretty/Handsome and TV series Everwood, Vanished and Empire.

She spent three years as unlucky in love lifeguard Shauna Bradley, but behind the camera there was a different story. Kylie Watson, the actress who played Shauna, reveals that her time on Home And Away prevented her from being open about her sexuality.

"I did make a conscious decision to not be outed," she told Cherrie magazine. "My agents at the time suggested it would be a good idea not to say anything about it and also you don't just consider yourself, you consider people around you, like your partner and their family and friends.

"I've never made a point of letting people know about my sexuality because I've never thought it was relevant, but it's who I am and I'm not ashamed of it," she said.

With no plans to return to the silver screen in the future, Waston has set up an interior design business which has been a great success for her.

Lynne McGranger, known as Irene to most of us, is a regular on the Channel 7 Sunrise and Morning Show programs holding forth on a variety of topics. Today she will be appearing on The Morning Show in her capacity as ambassador for the Youngcare Walk. She will be promoting the walk which takes place between 18th and 28th March to raise money for Youngcare. A group of dedicated walkers will be walking from Parliament House in Canberra finishing at the Friday night televised NRL game between the Parramatta Eels & Newcastle Knights at Parramatta Stadium.

All over Australia, young people in need of 24/7 nursing care are being placed in nursing homes for the elderly as their are no facilities or places for them elsewhere. Youngcare is dedicated to providing purpose built accommodation to support young people with high care needs .

You can find out more here and also here

On Saturday 23rd February 2008 Christie Hayes married Actor and Director Greg Hatton, aka Hats. After a short honeymoon Christie will be returning to the set of Home And Away to reprise the role of Kirsty Phillips alongside her old friend Sam Atwell who plays her on screen husband Kane Phillips.

Bttb wishes Christie and Hats all the best for their future.

Hollywood actor Heath Ledger has been found dead in his New York apartment..

Perth-born Ledger, 28, who earned an Oscar nomination for his role in Brokeback Mountain, was found dead on Tuesday afternoon by his housekeeper. The official cause of death is currently unknown, however it is understood that police have confirmed that prescription drugs were found nearby.

Ledger memorably starred in Home and Away in the 90's as bad boy Scott Irwin.

You can read more about the character of Scott Irwin in our character profile

In the first series Judy Nunn, Kate Ritchie and Mark furze went head to head with Mark coming in third. Last year Bobby Morley tried his luck and managed sixth place. In the third series of Australian Hit show 'It Takes Two' Paul O'Brien has become the latest Home and Away star to test out his vocal talents.

The show sees a professional singer pair up with a celebrity to mentor them through a series of duets to compete for votes from the viewing public and the judging panel.

the rest of the celebrity line up includes television presenter Chloe Maxwell, ironwoman Candice Falzon, weather presenter Sara Groen, comedian Julia Morris, golf pro Scott Draper, Sky News presenter John Mangos, Dancing With The Stars judge Mark Wilson, Melbourne Demons AFL footballer Russell Robertson and All Saints actor Virginia Gay.

Host Grant Denyer returns for his third series but his co-host, a role last year taken by Kate Ritchie, has yet to be announced. Kate has stated she is unlikely to return to TV for the forseeable future so it's likely a new face will take over the role.

After 20 years, the Gold Logie winner last night waved goodbye to her alter ego Sally Fletcher, filming her final scene at Seven's Epping studios, watched by her family, friends and colleagues. In the two decades of growing up in the seaside town, Ritchie has been used to seeing many faces arrive and depart the bay.

"But it's never been my name," an emotional Ritchie said yesterday as she finished her final scene after growing up on the silver screen since the programs inception in 1988. "On the one hand you feel this incredible sadness, on the other, it feels like the beginning of the next part of my life. And yet I can't deny that saying goodbye to Sally Fletcher is the hardest thing I have ever done."

While we still have a few months left of the delightful Mrs. Fletcher-Saunders on our screen, Kate says the storylines give her a fitting farewell. It remains to be seen what the impact of the 2007 cliffhanger in Summer Bay will have on these final months, but she is staying tight-lipped. "It all becomes very clear as the story continues," she said. "We will revisit a lot of the history, in particular mine."

Home And Away returns in January.

Tim Campbell has finally ended public speculation by announcing that he is gay.

The Home and Away actor today confirmed his sexuality to the The Advertiser after rumours began circulating that he was dating Rent co-star Anthony Callea. Both men have recently split up from their partners, however Tim has stated that they are just friends.

"(Anthony and I) are mates - he's had his rough trot, I'm going through a rough trot and I'm really concerned for my (ex) partner," Tim told the Advertiser.

"Part of me will probably always love him because 11 years is a lot to share with each other."

Tim's sexuality has been known in the industry for some time, however up until now he has never spoken about his personal life in the public domain.

Kate Ritchie has been asked by SEVEN to host this years Carols in The Domain together with Grant Denyer. Ritchie was reportedly hand-picked by Seven management to host the Christmas spectacle, which this year will focus on 25th anniversary celebrations.

"I am a little overwhelmed," Ritchie said. "Despite the fact I'm leaving the show it was really nice of them to ask me back to do this."

Ritchie, who films her final scenes as Sally Fletcher on December 14, said Carols In The Domain would be the climax of an extraordinary, emotional year, which included her Gold Logie win.

Source: The Sun-Herald

Despite being wanted by police in Japan for her part in an anti-whaling protest, things are looking up for former Home and Away star Isabel Lucas, known for her role as Tasha Andrews from 2003 to 2006.

Isabel has just recently finished filming her debut film role in the upcoming vampire thriller Daybreakers, which is set for release in 2008. She stars as the last surviving member of the human race.

But the upcoming film-star isn't taking a break just yet and may have to put her protesting role on hold. Isabel has scored a role in the Steven Spielberg war epic,The Pacific, and started filming today in Melbourne. The 10-part miniseries is a World War II television drama, being co-produced by HBO, Dreamworks and the Seven Network.

Isabel will play a beautiful Australian girl swept off her feet by a US Marine during his leave period on the Australian coast.

"It's a great role.", Isabel told Seven's Today Tonight.

"Her name's Gwen - the character [I play] - and she is the lifelong friend and girlfriend of Sid Phillips."

The miniseries is expected to air in the US on HBO and in Australia on Seven in 2009.

Japanese police have issued an arrest warrant for Logie award-winning Australian actor Isabel Lucas, after her part in an anti-whaling protest last month. The former Home & Away star joined other celebrities and professional surfers to form a floating circle on surf boards offshore near the coastal village of Taiji in late October.

Lucas, along with five others including Heroes TV star Hayden Panettiere, have now been charged with "interfering with international commerce", But Lucas played down the arrest warrants, saying they would only "embolden those risking their lives to halt the killings". "I'm not scared in the least about going back there (to Japan)," she said.

"In fact, now I think it would draw even more attention to the barbaric act."

Gold Logie winner Kate Ritchie (Sally) is among 531 new additions in the 2008 Who's Who in Australia, an Australian biographical dictionary, first published in 1906. The book contains biographical entries for those who are assessed by the editors as having contributed "to Australian life on a national or international level".

It was also announced today that Kate will be returning to radio next year. She will be taking up breakfast radio hosting duties in 2008, joining Merrick and Rosso's show on Sydney's Nova969 from January.

Kate is no stranger to the show. Her new co-hosts, Merrick Watts and Tim Ross, have regularly chatted to the 29-year-old on the show, but are now looking forward to having her join them full time.

Kate had a taste of radio earlier this year when she co-hosted the drive show with comedian Akmal Saleh.

Nova executives are hoping Ritchie's high profile will give the Merrick and Rosso breakfast show the added boost needed to challenge 2Day's Kyle and Jackie O for top spot in the FM breakfast market.

Meanwhile, Kate received her last stack of scripts for Home and Away this week, and said she was pleased with how Sally Fletcher was written out of the show.

But she isn't giving anything away.

"I am actually happy with it. It's very fitting," she told AAP.

While not revealing whether Sally dies or not, she hasn't ruled out reappearing on the show sometime in the future.

"Even if you die on a show like Home and Away it doesn't mean you can't come back," she laughed.

Former Home and Away actress Isla Fisher has reportedly given birth to her first child, a baby girl.

Isla, 31, who is currently engaged to Sacha Baron Cohen of Ali G and Borat fame, played Shannon Reed on the show from 1994 to 1997.

A source close to the couple confirmed that Isla had given birth, however a spokewoman for her agent denied any knowledge regarding the news.

Isla and Sacha currently live in Los Angeles, where Isla has shot to fame since her appearance in the 2005 film The Wedding Crashers.

Kate Ritchie and her skater boyfriend Corbin Harris have set rumours flying by browsing engagement rings at upmarket Double Bay jewellers 'Cerrone'. It was confirmed to the Daily Telegraph that Kate & Corbin, who have been dating for six months, had been inspecting 'some serious sparklers'.

The Telegraph contacted a Seven spokesperson who told the paper ""Kate is not engaged, but her on screen character Sally Fletcher will be heading down the aisle on Home and Away next week.''

Debra Lawrance, known to most Australians as the warm, caring and maternal Pippa from Home And Away, takes on a completely different role whilst playing a heartless DIMA Case Officer, in a new Australian film The Jammed. Written and directed by Dee McLachlan the film is about human trafficking, and how Australia responds.

The Jammed is showing at The Brisbane International Film Festival and screens exclusively at The Dendy from August 30th.

Joining an increasingly long line of Home And Away cast, past and present, currently appearing on stage, is Joel McIlroy, who played the late Flynn Saunders.

Joel is currently appearing at The Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide, in Lion Pig Lion by Marty Denniss alongside Michaela Cantwell, Brant Eustice, Patrick Frost, Patrick Graham, and Carmel Johnson. Lion Pig Lion is a new play which explores complex social themes, corruption in the business world, with intelligence and humour, and a fair amount of strong language.

The State Theatre Company site states... " ... Cost Corridors, lifts, saunas and car parks - that's where this company's contracts are negotiated. Virginia and Sidney are doing their level best to navigate a maze of hard-hitters, fast-talkers and pokerfaced deal makers, but when the guy from the commission starts poking around asking difficult questions, everyone realises that there's more at stake than just their jobs.

On the other side of the world, a security guard shoots a young man who works at a water plant owned by the company. An investigation is set up to find out who's responsible. Back in Australia, the employees plead ignorance but are they somehow responsible for the young man's death? The investigation is bound to sort the sheep from the goats.

Everyone has something to hide. And everyone is prepared to reveal that something for a price. It's all about exchange.

From the sharp-witted writer of The Duck Shooter comes a high-speed journey into the lives of ordinary and ruthless people making and breaking contracts with themselves and each other, set against a backdrop of brokered deals between the heads of a large company and the people of a small nation."

Lion Pig Lion is on until 1st September 2007, tickets priced between $37 and $50.

BTTB would like to congratulate former H&A star Brendan McKensy (Duncan Stewart) who has just become a father at the age of 21. His fiancee Bec gave birth last week to a boy, that they have named Tyler James McKensy.

Brendan first appeared as Duncan in 1998, and since leaving his permanent role in 2001 has returned for a couple of guest stints.

Wouldn't you know it, we go months without any news of Lynne McGranger and then suddenly we get two stories popping up together. Those of us who wondered why Lynne/Irene is not as active as she is usally need wonder no more. Lynne is shortly to star on stage in a play called Honey , which is co produced and written by Lorrae Desmond. Lorrae played the part of the much loved Shirley Gilroy in the long running Seven show, A Country Practice, and also played the part of Donald Fisher's mother on Home And Away.

Lynne will be appearing at The Riverside Theatre in Parramatta, NSW from October 19th(previews) the official opening night being 24th October, until November 10th 2007.

Honey is an adaptation of Bryce Courtenay's 'Smokey Joe's Cafe' - a play with music, with a special screening on Saturday 20th October to raise funds for the Leukaemia Foundation.

Set in Australia in the 70's, at a time of political unrest when the nation was divided by the first televised war, Vietnam. A moving and at times a highly amusing look at how the love of a mate gives this band of unlikely heroes the strength to organise an intricate, if not quite legal "scam" to raise money to save the life of a little girl who is dying of leukaemia. Along the way, with the support of some very strong women, they become entangled in the civilian jungle of politics and the social set.

Lynne is playing the part of Mum, a strong woman who blames Honey's Dad, Thommo, a Vietnam vet, for everything that is wrong with her grand daughter Honey and indeed the world.

You can listen to a preview here : http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=213492905 and also see who else will be performing.

BttB wishes Lynne well with this venture.

Lynne McGranger, known to most of us as Irene, opened the Wattle Time Art exhibition on Friday 10th August at the town hall in Cootamundra. Cootamundra expects a lot of visitors this week end to see Irene, and the art.

It has been announced that Amy Mizzi is the latest H&A Cast member to be heading over to the UK for Panto this winter.

She will be starring in Aladdin at the Civic Centre in Rotherham from 4th Dec 2007 - 8th Jan 2008.

Information on booking tickets can be found on the Rotherham Borough Council website.

Home and Away favourite Kim Hyde, also known as Chris Hemsworth has made a quick impression on Hollywood it seems.

Chris left the show only two months ago and headed off to LA to seek his fortune. He did not have long to wait and has landed the lead role in a new thriller, The Cache, playing a the good guy who is caught up in an illegal operation. The bad guy is played by Sean Bean.

Chris is now hard at work, in pre production, with the film's director Steve Anderson.

Cathy Godbold, who's portrayal as Leukaemia sufferer Meg Bowman became one of H&A's most memorable storylines, has been battling her own battle with a brain tumour.

Cathy, who was diagnosed with the tumour back in May, had the tumour removed immediately in a Melbourne hospital before starting a course of radiotherapy, which she completed on Friday.

In an interview with the Sunday Herald Sun, Cathy said that she was determined to get back to good health. "It was a terrible shock to find out I was ill. Because I am young and healthy I have a much better chance of beating it. I want to get healthy and get back to work as soon as possible. I feel tired as the treatment does knock you for six."

Originally posted by Dan.

Well it's halfway through the year so it's now time to start preparing for pantomime! As always a small group of your favourite Home and Away stars will be heading over to tread the boards around the country.

Currently we have the following list of people confirmed:

Paul O Brien (Jack Holden) will be starring in Aladdin at the Woodville Hall Theatre in Gravesend from 13th - 20th December 2007, and then at the Majestic Theatre in Retford, Nottinghamshire from 2nd - 9th January 2008.

Ray Meagher (Alf Stewart) will be starring alongside Hannah Waterman (EastEnder's Laura Beale) as well as fellow Aussie Anne Charleston (Neighbours' Madge Bishop) in Dick Whittington at the Grand Theatre in Swansea from 19th Dec '07 - 20th Jan '08

Jason Smith (Robbie Hunter) will be performing in Cinderella at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells from 15th Dec '07 - 6th Jan '08.

Check back soon for anymore that may be confirmed over the coming weeks!

Originally posted by Dan.

According to Louis Walsh on an interview on Five Live, Dannii Minogue who played teenage rebel Emma Jackson in Home and Away for one and half years in the early 90's is to be one of four judges in the new series of X-Factor, with the show now featuring a 4th category, thought to be Under-16's.

Since leaving Home and Away, Dannii has had significant success on the dance circuit, whilst not quite reaching the heights of her sister.

The new series of X-Factor goes to air during the summer.

It has been announced that Home and Away actor Ray Meagher (Alf Stewart) is to have a 2 week stint appearing on stage in 'Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.'

The play, centering around two drag queens and a transexual crossing the Australian outback in a large bus, has been playing at Sydney's Star City Lyric Theatre since the beginning of October.

Ray will be playing the part of Bob the Mechanic, whose role includes singing solo and having a boogie in a Kangaroo costume, something that Ray has said he is looking forward to.

Ray debuts on the 19th June with his last performance being on the 1st July.

For more information, and details on purchasing tickets, check out the official website at http://www.priscillathemusical.com/

Ada Nicodemou (Leah) celebrated her 30th birthday in style on Sunday, at a star-studded event at Kings Cross nightclub's Sapphire Suite. The event was attended by many of Ada's Home and Away co-stars, as well as her new husband Chrys Xipolitas. However, as the Daily Telegraph reports, it seems that Ada may be showing signs of maturity, opting "not to have her cake and eat it too".

UK fans have sadly missed their chance, but Australian fans should watch out for Rhett Giles (Paris) in an upcoming episode of 'Lost'. Giles features in an episode airing on Thursday May 17th, playing a policeman in a flashback set in Sydney.

Giles had lived in Los Angeles since 2004, and has starred in episodes of Alias and Nip/Tuck.

As you may know, Bobby Morley is taking part in this year's It Takes Two, the Australian talent show in which celebrities are paired up with professional singers in an attempt to impress a panel of judges and the voting public.

This week, he and partner Jade Macrae sang the ARIA winning hit, Wish You Well. His performance was described as '"deep and unique" by hna_fanatic from our Forum, and the judges were fans too, commenting on the couple's quirky direction and engaging performance. However, the pair were told to work on their technique.

They took home 26 points in total, with a score of 7 from judge Marina, 6 from James, 7 from Amanda and 6 from Ross. This puts them joint in fifth place, out of a total of 10 contestants.

How will Bobby perform next week? Don't miss it, Tuesday nights at 7:30pm on Seven.

The results of FHM Australia's Sexiest Women in the World 2007 are in, and Home and Away's hottest stars have faired well, making up 6 of the 100 women featured.

No 44. Holly Brisley
No 42. Melissa George
No 30. Tammin Sursok
No 28. Sharni Vinson
No 27. Jodi Gordon
No 4. Isabel Lucas

The magazine, on sale now, features a brief interview with Isabel Lucas (Tasha), who made #4 on the list:

So Isabel, how does it feel to be the fourth sexiest woman on the planet? To be quiet serious, I don't take the polls too seriously. I guess it's flattering but it's bizarre. To be judged in a poll of who is the most beautiful, I think that whole concept is bizarre. How do you know, you haven't met anyone?

A, good point. Do you see yourself as a sex symbol?
I don't think about that too much. I like to think of myself as an actor.

You are! So what do you think maked a woman sexy?
i think it's each to their own, because everybody has their own reason why they find someone beautiful.

Who would get your vote as the sexiest woman in the world?
Lauren Hill, she has stunning eyes. And I like her music. She's an artist.

Thanks to perryadams from our forum, where discussion of the results is taking place.

I'm very pleased to announce that we have managed to secure an interview with the one and only Debra Lawrance, who played Pippa Fletcher/Ross on the show from 1990 onwards. We're very honoured to have been given this fantastic opportunity and are very grateful for Debra to agreeing to the interview!

So this is your chance to ask Debra any questions you may have about her experiences of playing the original matriarch of the show on and off for the past 17 years.

If you have any questions that you would like to ask Debra, then please post them here or email them to me at dan@backtothebay.net - all questions need to be received before next Saturday (12th May)

Home and Away star Tim Campbell will be appearing with his 'Dancing with the Stars' partner Natalie Lowe on John Rowe's Lounge Room Live at Sydney's Seymour Centre on Wednesday 9th May.

Tim and Natalie will be talking about their time on 'Dancing with the Stars' and there will be gossip from the set of Home and Away aswell as Tim's behind the scenes rundown on the Logies. Tim will also be singing live with the band on the evening.

If you are interested in going to see it, and get up close and personal with the stars, the details are as follows:

John Rowe's LOUNGE ROOM LIVE
Wed 9th May
8.30pm
Seymour Centre Sydney
Tix: $25 adult, $20 concession
Bookings: 9351 7940

People of all ages are welcome and you're sure to be in for a good time!

Many thanks to John for getting in touch and letting us know! For more information visit www.johnrowe.com.au

Home and Away's Kate Ritchie (Sally) will replace Tereasa Livingstone as a host in the upcoming second series of Seven's karaoke competition, It Takes Two, in her first major TV role away from the Summer Bay set. Grant Denyer will return as Kate's co-host.

Kate's first television presenting role comes just months after she began a radio hosting role with Nova FM, co-hosting their drive time show in Sydney and Melbourne - The Akmal Show with Kate Ritchie.

Being based in Sydney, the co-host gig will mean Kate will have to fly to Melbourne each week where the series of filmed, a chore she is quite used to after appearing on the show as a contestant in the previous series.

It's been a big year for Kate who is again nominated for the Gold Logie, the winner to be announced next Sunday, May 6th. Betting agency CentreBet currently place her as the second favourite to win the Gold, behind Rove McManus.

It Takes Two premieres Tuesday, May 8th, replacing Dancing with the Stars.

Despite coming joint first with the judges, a fantastic score of 72, and being the runaway favourite with the bookies, Tim Campbell and his partner Natalie Lowe were voted off Dancing with The Stars last night and will not be appearing in the grand final next week. The judges and the audience did not quite believe it. Tim has been spectacular throughout the series.

Bobby Morley (Drew) is to appear on the second series of Australia's "It Takes Two" programme. The show pairs up celebrities with professional singers/singing coaches and gets them to perform weekly in order to impress a panel of judges and the general public and avoid elimination.

The first series saw Home and Away stars Mark Furze (Ric), Kate Ritchie (Sally) and Judy Nunn (Ailsa) take part, though the series was eventually won by model Erika Heynatz.

Bobby will be singing with Jade MacRae. MacRae and her partner Michael Bevan were the fourth couple to be eliminated when the first season aired last year.

The show is currently in pre-production, and will begin on May 8th 2007.

Home and Away star Gyton Grantley (aka James Dalton) aims to take a seat on Virgin Galactic when it launches in 2008. The project, headed by Richard Branson, transports travellers 100km above the earth and allows them to experience weightlessness.

However, that's not all. In a bizarre plan of action, he wants you to pay for his flight! He's set up a website, Send Gy To Space, with which he aims to raise the money to pay for the $200,000 ticket.

Not all the money goes directly to him though. The website claims that 10% of the ticket cost, and any excess money donated, will be given to the Starlight Foundation, which helps to bring joy to sick children.

"I belong there, in the stratosphere. Circling the earth in zero gravity and being at one with the cosmos" says Grantley, who claims to have dreamed of being an astronaut since he was a little boy.

We reported on Saturday that Jodi Gordon and Paul O'Brien would be appearing at Martin Place this Easter Monday. Jodi had to pull out, but Sharni Vinson (Cassie Turner) took her place. They were interviewed on the Sunrise programme, before going outside to meet their fans. View the full article for pictures.

Jodi Gordon (Martha) and Paul O'Brien will be at Martin Place, Sydney on Monday, with Seven's Sunrise programme. Join them there for a free 'sausage sizzle'.

Have you met a Home and Away cast member? Do you have pictures of your meet or a story to tell? Contact us on chris@backtothebay.net.

For all fans in the UK who want to see what Anthony Phelan (who played Ken Smith) is up to nowadays, he has the part of a 'Police Interviewer' in 'Murder in the Outback' to be shown on Sunday evening at 9pm on ITV1.

Since leaving H&A, Anthony has had many parts in various dramas and films, including playing the voice of 'Kaminoan Prime Minster Lama Su' in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones.

Produced by ITV and Granada International, it stars Joanne Froggatt (Corrie, See No Evil: The Moors Murders) in an adaptation of the events surrounding the murder of Peter Falconio in the Australian outback back in 2001. It tells the story from the eyes of his girlfriend Joanne Lees who faced the traumatic ordeal in which Peter disappeared, aswell as having to relive it during the trial.

The part of Peter Falconio is in fact played by Laurence Bruels, who may be remembered by long term fans of H&A as starring as Irene's nephew Nelson McFarlane back in 1995.

The drama also stars Australian actor John Wood, who won the 2006 Gold Logie for his part in Blue Heelers, and a cameo from Mike Bullen (writer of Cold Feet and Life Begins) as a TV Producer

Your favourite Home and Away stars have been helping out with the Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal, which aired on Seven across Victoria.

Chris Hemsworth, Bobby Morley, Sharni Vinson, Tim Cambell and Jess Tovey took part in the show, reading out donations made by the Australian public. Jodi Gordon was also announced to take part, but had to pull out due to other commitments.

Pictures in the full article.

Ex-Home and Away star Beau Brady (Noah) has reportedly split from his fiancee Natalie Blair, star of rival soap Neighbours. The Herald Sun states that the pair quietly separated in January, and that their split was confirmed by a Neighbours spokeswoman on Friday.

The pair reportedly split due to Beau's decision to move to Los Angeles to pursue his career. This is Beau's second broken engagement, after Bec Cartwright ended their relationship to be with Australian tennis star Lleyton Hewitt.

Isla Fisher (Shannon Reed) has revealed she's expecting a child with her fiance, Sacha Baron Cohen. Fisher, who has starred in films such as Scoobie Doo and Wedding Crashers since leaving the show, confirmed the news to friends a few days ago.

After finishing her stint on Home and Away last year, Isabel Lucus (Tasha Hunter) is now turning her attention to films. She told News.com.au that although Home and Away was a wonderful learning experience, film and theatre is now her focus for the near future.

The actress recently spent time in London, auditioning for a number of films and meeting with numerous high-profile agents, including Kate Winslet's. Will we see Lucas starring in a British film in the near future? Well, she's keeping tight lipped as to the films she auditioned for, so we'll just have to wait and see.

Lucas is set to move to London later this year.

When Kate Ritchie attended Australia's newly re-opened Goodbar nightclub on Wednesday night, little did she know she'd get caught up in a gun drama.

The star was just one of many celebrities at the event on Wednesday night, held to celebrate the launch of Converse Product Red. It came to a halt when "20 masked men armed with guns and metal bars stormed the party", reports Sydney Confidential. Several shots were fired at ceilings and fittings, though thankfully there were seemingly no fatalities, and the venue was back open the following evening.

Last month, we brought you news of Ryan Kwanten's new film, 'Dead Silence'. Well, today (March 16th) sees the film's release in the United Stages. Catch it if you can.

A trailer for the film is now available, along with numerous stills over at MSN Movies.

The Herald Sun reports that Jodi Gordon buried her "beloved soulmate" and boyfriend of two years, Chris Burkhard, last week, after he lost a battle with leukemia.

The 23 year old was diagnosed with the disease, an rare cancer usually found only in people older than 40, last May. He slipped a coma a week ago, with Jodi by his side, and died the next day. The newspaper reports that Jodi "was supported by many of her Summer Bay castmates, including Holly Brisley, Tim Campbell and Ray Meagher, at Burkhardt's funeral in Sydney's Lane Cove on Thursday."

Seven have altered Jodi's scripts over the past few months to allow her to spend more time with Chris and his family.

Back to the Bay wish Jodi Gordon and Chris Burkhard's family the best during these troubled times.

Forum members are discussing the saddening news on our Message Board.

Ryan Kwanten (Vinnie Patterson) is taking the lead in two new films in 2007. Dead Silence is a horror film written and directed by the man behind Saw, while Don't Fade Away is a drama featuring the The O.C.'s Mischa Barton.

Many congratulations to H&A star Ada Nicodemou who will today (17/02/07) marry her partner, restaurateur Chris Xipolitas, at the Shangri-La Hotel overlooking Sydney Harbour.

Don't miss Nic Bishop, Bobby Morley, and Kate Ritchie at the Pako Festa on Saturday 24th February. The free event provides "an opportunity for people from all cultural backgrounds to come together and celebrate the beauty and enriching capacity of multiculturalism."

The Home and Away stars will be signing autographs on the Town Hall Stage, so be sure to head along and catch them. The event is taking place from 9am 'til 7pm at Pakington Street, Geelong West.

More details can be found at http://www.pakofesta.com.au/

Les Hill, who played Blake Dean in Home and Away from 1990-1993 (and appeared as a guest in 2002, 2003 and 2005), is to give evidence in court, in the case of an alleged attack on a top rugby player by a pub bouncer, News.com.au reports.

The alleged attack on a Mr Bullock took place at the Surf Rock Hotel in Collaroy, where Dean was working as a member of security staff. Dean is reported to have helped escort Mr Bullock out of the hotel after the alleged attack, in which Mr Bullock sustained a broken nose and fractured eye socket.

It's been announced that Tim Campbell will be taking part in this year's Dancing with the Stars.

Tim, who has played Dan Baker on the show since 2004, is joining a growing list of Home and Away stars who've taken part in the show. Series 1 saw Bec Cartwright (Hayley Lawson) take to the dance floor, before going on to win the competition. In Series 2, it was the turn of Jason Smith (Robbie Hunter) and Holly Brisley (Amanda Vale). In Series 3, Home and Away won again, this time Ada Nicodemou being crowned dancing queen. The stars took a break in Series 4, before Chris Hemsworth took part in the competition in Series 5.

How will Tim fare up in Season 6? It won't be long until we get to find out.

Isla Fisher, who played Shannon Reed from 1994 until 1998, is set to appear in a number of upcoming films.

Due for limited release in the US in March, The Lookout is about a janitor who becomes a part of a bank heist. From IMDB, "After experiencing a brain injury, and facing a mental disability, janitor (Gordon-Levitt) becomes part of a heist at the bank which employs him."

She is also due to star in a romantic comedy, Definitely, Maybe, about a political consultant going through a divorce, and an action comedy, Hot Rod, about an accident-prone daredevil who plans to jump the Snake River on a moped. Both films which are both currently in post-production.

Finally, it has also been announced that Isla will be starring in 'Groupies', a recently announced comedy "set in the world of rock 'n' roll groupies." It's certainly a busy year for Isla!

Since leaving Home and Away, Isla has starred in a number of films, including Wedding Crashers (2005) and I Heart Huckabees (2004). She has also released two novels, Fame and Bewitched.

Inside Soap reports that Richard Grieve is to join the cast of British soap Emmerdale. The actor, who played Dr Lachlan Frazer in Home and Away from 1996 to 1997, and previously starred as Sam Kratz in Neighbours, is due to join the soap next month.

After the shock sacking of disgraced star Matthew Newton, Kate Ritchie has replaced him on the popular radio station Nova FM. Although Kate has regularly appeared on Merrick & Rosso's breakfast show on the same station, this is her first presenting job in the industry.

She will be appearing with well-known comedian Akmal Saleh on the The Akmal Saleh Show with Kate Ritchie, a two hourly afternoon program that will be broadcast into Sydney & Melbourne. With three to five appearances a week, Channel Seven has already begun to adjust Kate's hectic Home And Away filming schedule, where Ritchie has been at the forefront after being viciously stabbed and left for dead.

According to preliminary program schedulling by the Seven Network, Friday, January 12, 2007 is turning out to be a great evening of TV viewing on Channel Seven for Australian Home and Away fans.

At 7pm, the 2006 Season Finale of Home and Away will be given an encore screening in the lead up to the 2007 Season Premiere. UPDATE: Seven have cancelled the H&A Encore in favour of just repeating the Sally Montage and airing another episode of That 70's Show instead. Following this, there will be two other shows featuring Home and Away stars.

Holly Brisley (Amanda) will co-host a Bloopers Special, at 8.30pm. The one hour episode of Good as Gold, titled "Our Aussie Bloopers", will feature some of our biggest stars in the most embarrassing and humorous moments ever seen on Australian television.

A few episodes of Good as Gold screened earlier this year, including another one co-hosted by Holly, titled "Our Brightest Stars". Screen captures can be found on our forum.

In the third Home and Away related program to air on January 12, at 7.30pm, a repeat of Better Homes & Gardens will feature Tim Campbell (Dan).

Home and Away returns to our screens the following Monday, with the 2007 season beginning on January 15, 2007 after the traditional 6 week summer break. The 2006 season finale aired on December 1.

Once again, Tim Campbell will be appearing at the Woolworths Carols in the Domain, in Sydney this month.

He will be spreading some Christmas cheer with some big names including Australian superstar Guy Sebastian, chart toppers Human Nature, R&B queen Jade McRae, the talented Young Divas and theatrical greats Rachael Beck (Mark Furze's singing partner in It Takes Two) and Chloe Dallimore.

They'll be backed by the soaring voices of The Salvation Army Choir, The Australian Girls Choir and the Jubilation Gospel Choir. The annual event will be screened on Channel 7 on Saturday 16th December and will be hosted by Shelley Craft & Grant Denyer

A special tribute to the late Belinda Emmett will be sung by her brother.

Belinda Emmett, who played the character of Rebecca Fisher/Nash between 1996 and 1999 has died of cancer, aged 32.

Born in 1974, she got the role of Rebecca Fisher in 1996. It was whilst playing Rebecca that she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

She married Rove McManus in January 2005, before dying in Sydney on the 11th November 2006.

Coincidentally, the fourth and final actor to play Rebecca, Megan Connolly, who deputised for Belinda whilst she underwent treatment for her cancer, also died, dying from a heroin overdose during September 2001.

It is Belinda is the first Home and Away opening credit star to die, thought this can't be confirmed as we there is very little info to be found about certain actors from the earlier year.

On Wednesday November 1st, Mark Furze will be appearing as a Special Guest in John Rowe's Lounge Room Live!

The show is 2 parts band gig, 1 part talk show and is hosted/performed by John Rowe, who is currently the performance coach on Australian Idol. Previous guests have included current and former Home and Away stars Craig McLachlan, Tim Campbell and Ada Nicodemou, and Mark's It Takes Two partner, Rachel Beck.

The show will be at the Seymour Centre's Sound Lounge in Sydney and tickets are $25 for Adults and $20 for Concession or groups of 8+. Bookings can be made on (02) 9351 7940.

Hurry and get in quick because there is limited seating. It will truly be a night to remember and you might even run into the odd Home and Away cast member in the crowd their to support Mark.

For more information visit www.johnrowe.com.au

Home and Away stars Holly Brisley (Amanda) and Kate Ritchie (Sally) will each host an episode of a new Seven Network show, titled Good as Gold.

Good as Gold will join Seven's Sunday night line-up starting October 15 at 7.30pm.

Each episode of Good as Gold takes the audience on a journey celebrating the most memorable moments in television's 50 year history - ranging from comedy to sport, bloopers, drama and entertainment.

The first episode, "Our Biggest Laughs" will be presented by comedic duo Mikey Robins and Jo Stanley on October 15.

Former Weakest Link host Cornelia Frances (Morag) is also confirmed as a special guest on the episode "Our Brightest Stars", to air on October 22nd. This episode, "Our Brightest Stars", featuring Cornelia, will be hosted by Larry Emdur and Holly Brisley. They take us through some of the most loved entertainment shows ever seen on Australian television.

Stay tuned to Back to the Bay, as more appearances by the Home and Away cast are still to be announced.