Homeandawayfan.

I think Tom did mention his parents in one of the first episodes but I think they were dead by then. Not sure he he had any siblings. I think a prequel set in 1965 would be good as it is 22 years before the show begun. 1982 is only a few years before the show begun so lookalike actors would still not fit in very well with Jan 1988 onwards IMHO. 1965 would feature a 20 year old very young newbie teacher Don, and Alf and Barbara, and a 24 year old Morag. Plus courting couple Tim and Helen Patterson (Alison's parents). Bertram would be the head, and the series could end at the Bobby adoption in 1970.

As Bobby Forever Missed says, a dream, but make the first 20 years real, but I would have the dream start from 2008 where Sally has a nightmare about what Summer Bay would be like after her exit, full of River Boys and other criminals and carnage and disasters galore, and Sally even dreamt of a 2013 return which trashed her. Same for Neighbours having a dream starting with the Ramsay Retcon.

A time capsule is found buried at the front of Summer Bay House. It was planted by Tom Fletcher when they first arrived in Summer Bay.

Jeff Kovski (He was in Neighbours as Raimondo Cammenniti and also Blue Heelers). Jeff also played a minor role in Neighbours in 1987 and 1995. Casting Jeff Kovski in Home And Away would be my dream casting come true. If Lucy Addario or any other crew members read this, I hope you read this for inspiration for future castings. Even as just a guest character, perhaps as an old mate of Palmer, and he is a bit of a rogue. Also Robert Forza who played Rocco in Neighbours. Forza would be great in H&A. Elspeth Ballantyne. Ian Rawlings. Wilhelmina Stracke.

It is a shame that Alison never met Emma Jackson. Emma arrived 7 months after Alison left he Bay.

Donna Bishop only lasted about 8 months. The actress Nicola Quilter must have been one of the cast members who had a clause in her H&A contract that allowed her to leave early, as she wanted to concentrate on a singing career. She is now a fashion designer and runs a stall in Camden, London. I met her there once. Walter Bertram should have appeared more often.

I never liked Greg either. Very unlikeable, and yes he did have a nasty temper.

Faves are:- Alf, Irene, Maz, Palmer, Leah. Least faves are:- Justin, Justin, Justin, Justin and, Justin.

April-June 1988 it felt like The Carly Morris Show. Then it became The Stacey Macklin Show. I have watched the 1988 season at least twice through now.

I think they see Neighbours as their flagship show, so promote that much more instead. Similar to how ITV gives Corrie all the glory and Emmerdale is the unloved younger sibling.

If I was EP, I'd bring in Shane Parrish Jnr. She'd be 25 now. Very sad news about Dieter. RIP Dieter. Shane was one of my fave ever characters.

Neville was one of only 2 originals who never returned either chronologically or as a vision such as Tom in 2008. The other one was Lyn Davenport, it has not been said what happened to Lyn in the years since her departure as far as I know. Floss was great, she was bubbly and chatty.

People moan about the lack of fostering in today's show but by the end of 1988 the show was drifting away from Tom and Pippa and the fostering format and became more about the Stewart's, Macklins, Fishers - and Bobby, Carly and Frank taking centre stage out of the foster children. Luckily Pippa was revived 2 years later and given a central role again. I feel by the end of 1988, Tom had reached his natural end, as did the aforementioned Floss and Neville. H&A always was a show for younger characters mainly, but it had more of a blend of older characters. Neville was the only character over 60 in the first episode in mid Jan 1988, Floss maybe late 50s.

Sheila Kennelly owned a farm when she got the role in H&A so she had to spend less time on her farm due to the gruelling schedule of filming a 5 episode a week soap. I am glad Sheila did reprise her role 2000-2008.

Ailsa. You can see no one has voted for Martha.