In a poll conducted by the Australian soap website Back to the Bay just weeks before the 35th anniversary of the series, Alf Stewart was chosen as the most favored Home and Away character of all time.
Numerous viewers from all around the world cast votes for their favorite Home and Away character during the show’s 35-year run on the website.
Dean Thompson (Patrick O’Connor), Ziggy Astoni (Sophie Dillman), and Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) finished in second and third place, respectively. Sally Fletcher, played by Kate Ritchie, came in at number 12, demonstrating that she still remembers things despite it having been nine years since Summer Bay.
Since the very first episode of Home and Away aired in Australia on January 17, 1988, Alf Stewart has been a fan favorite. With 53% of fans selecting him as one of their top five favorite characters, he was the clear winner.
Third place Patrick O’Connor made his acting debut as Dean Thompson on February 1st in Australia and March 16th in the UK. Since the infamous Braxton brothers left Summer Bay, he was the first River Boy to live there permanently.
A few of actors who have seen extraordinary success since leaving the show also made the top 100 list.
Chris Hemsworth’s Kim Hyde is ranked at number 57, Melissa George’s Angel Parrish is ranked at number 49, and Isla Fisher’s Shannon Reed is ranked at number 60.
On January 17, 2023, Home and Away will mark its 35th anniversary. The serial made its UK television premiere on ITV in 1989, taking over the time slot left open by Crossroads the year before. The Summer Bay-set serial was moved to Channel 5 in 2000, and the network celebrated the show’s upcoming anniversary by broadcasting a number of iconic episodes on My5 over the course of a six-week celebration.
Ray Meagher on the anniversary:
“I’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of the Home and Away family since the very beginning, and I couldn’t be prouder of the work our talented cast and crew put in to making our show the success it continues to be today…”
1. Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher)
2. Dean Thompson (Patrick O’Connor)
3. Ziggy Astoni (Sophie Dillman)
4. Marilyn Chambers (Emily Symons)
5. Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger)
6. Tane Parata (Ethan Browne)
7. Darryl Braxton (Stephen Peacocke)
8. Felicity Newman (Jacqui Purvis)
9. Leah Patterson (Ada Nicodemou)
10. Cash Newman (Nicholas Cartwright)