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| Home and Away first came on screen on the seven network in Australia in January 1988, but it wasn't until the following year that Home And Away came to the UK on ITV. In Australia the 3000th episode went out on air on the 9th March 2001 at 7:00 in the evening and they had a huge party to celebrate. Home and Away reached 4000 episodes in 2005 which makes it the second longest running television series in Australian history. Channel seven bosses originally signed up Home And Away for just 20 episodes. Home And Away is now on air in more then 48 countries and the worldwide audience is reckoned to be in excess of 60 million viewers. The shows creator was Alan Bateman, who came up with the concept after he visited a place where a foster home was being built. With some residents of the town not wanting troublesome children being put on their doorstep, other people gave it a go and he decided that it had all the elements for a fine soap opera. There are only 2 original cast members still in the show - Ray Meagher (Alf Stewart) and Kate Ritchie (Sally Fletcher). Quite a few of the characters have been played by more then one actor due to either illness or the desician to leave. These have included... Pippa Fletcher/Ross - Vanessa Downing and Debra Lawrance Irene Roberts - Jacqui Philips and Lynne McGranger Rachel Burton - Kelly Glastier and Sara Mumcu Selina Roberts - Tempany Deckart and Louise Crawford Mitch McColl - Cameron Welsh and Mitchell McMahon Ailsa Stewart - Judy Nunn and Nancye Hayes Flynn Saunders - Martin Dingle-Wall and Joel Mcllroy Hayley Smith - Rebecca Cartwright and Ella Scott Lynch 3 Duncan Stewarts - Allana Ellis and Lewis Devaney & Brendan McKensy 4 Rebecca Fisher's - Jane Hall, Danielle Carter, Belinda Emmett & Megan Connerly A stage musical of Home And Away toured the UK in 1991. It starred Sharyn Hodgson (Carly), Julian McMahon (Ben), Justine Clarke (Roo), Mouche Philips (Viv) and Adam Willits (Steven). Imagine if your fave character wasn't played by that actress of actor. Well that is what almost happens to a few of the actors in Home And Away. Darius Perkins auditioned for the role of Frank Morgan but lost out so he ended up playing bad boy Gary Sammuals. Isla Fisher originally went for the role of Angel Brooks but ended up playing Shannon Reed. Suzie Rugg went to audition for Dani Sutherland but lost to Tammin Sursok however months later Suzie discovered that producers created the role of Brodie especially for her. Also, before accepting a role as Chloe Richards on HAA, Kristy Wright was offered a job on Neighbours as Libby Kennady - but turned it down because it meant that she would have to move to Melboarne. More recently, Isabel Lucas originally auditioned for the role of Kit Hunter and Sharni Vinson originally auditioned for Martha but lost to Jodi Gordan. On 15th July 2001, UK viewers were able to watch a special episode which not even Australia has seen. While watching this episode viewers realised that Channel 5 were going to show the closing credits of Home And Away and wont be editing things too strongly. The Closing Credits have not been shown in the UK since 1993 and ITV have always edited the series very strongly cuting some brilliant scenes out including Chloe escaping her kidnapper , Rachel going missing in the mall , A boy being locked in a car boot by his friends and leaving him there as a joke. Words such as cow and bitch were hardly ever left with out being edited out. Home And Away has only ever filmed outside of Australia twice, both in the UK. The first in 1998 when they filmed in Shropshire and the second in 2001 when they filmed in London. The 2nd included Donalf and Marilyn Fisher meeting up again, and explain the mystery of Marilyn's abrupt departure. "When I left 2 years ago i actually asked for Marilyn to be killed off," admits actress Emily Symons. "Now i'm glad she wasn't." |
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