Current Summer Bay characters, led by actor Ray Meagher, outrank former faces according to a reader poll.
Readers of Home & Away fan website Back to the Bay have voted Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) their all-time favourite character for the third time.
This year, he was closely followed by Tane Parata (Ethan Browne) and Cash Newman (Nicholas Cartwright) in second and third place respectively.
Meagher has been in Home & Away since the very first episode aired in Australia on 17th January 1988. 45% of fans voted for Alf as one of their top five favourite characters.
Second place Tane Parata, played by Ethan Browne, made his debut appearance on 10th February 2020 in Australia, and on 23rd March 2020 in the UK. This year has seen him mourn the loss of his on-screen wife Felicity Newman (Jacqui Purvis), and prepare to become a father for the first time with his girlfriend Harper Matheson (Jessica Redmayne).
The only remaining member of the Parata clan, Tane will soon celebrate his 5th anniversary on the show.
The Top 10 Home & Away Characters, as voted for by readers are:
Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher)
Tane Parata (Ethan Browne)
Cash Newman (Nicholas Cartwright)
Felicity Newman (Jacqui Purvis)
Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons)
John Palmer (Shane Withington)
Mackenzie Booth (Emily Weir)
Eden Fowler (Stephanie Panozzo)
Dana Matheson (Ally Harris)
Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger)
Also making the top 100 list were a number of actors who’ve gone on to find success since leaving the show.
At #57 is Shannon Reed, played by Isla Fisher, at #65 is Angel Parrish, played by Melissa George, and at #66 is Kim Hyde, played by Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth.
As Home & Away prepares to host an ‘Early Years Tour’ event in 2025, early characters are still proving popular:
Nicolle Dickson (Bobby Simpson) – #31
Alex Papps (Frank Morgan) – #69
Sharyn Hodgson (Carly Morris) – #83
Kristy Wright (Chloe Richards) – #86
Mat Stevenson (Adam Cameron) – #147
Former cast members Nick Hardcastle (Tim O’Connell) and Kimberley Cooper (Gypsy Nash) will host the event. Gypsy reached #49 in the public vote.