It’s been four long years since Home And Away fans said a somber goodbye to beloved character Andy Barrett, played by Tai Hara.
Caught up in the murder of Charlotte King alongside his half-brother Josh Barrett, played by Jackson Gallagher, the duo were sentenced to prison but managed to escape and go on the run.
The characters have been at large ever since, and their portrayers, Tai and Jackson, have often teased fans over a potential return with many suggestive Instagram posts.
“First rule of being on the run, inconspicuous clothing.. #thebarretts,” Tai wrote in one cheeky Instagram post.
(Instagram)Speaking with Now To Love, Tai laughs as we bring up just how tantalising and mean it is to tease a possible return to Summer Bay.
“Jackson and I, when we do catch up, still have a bit of a chuckle about where Andy and Josh are now, you know, a fishing expo or maybe hiding out somewhere in far North Queensland,” he says.
“I feel like maybe they’ve gone to a tropical island.”
As for actually making a return to the show and his beloved character, Tai hasn’t ruled it out.
“We definitely joke about the Barretts coming back. The thing is they never died, so it’s all open,” he says with a chuckle.
Come on Summer Bay powers that be, make it happen!
(Channel Seven)While we can only hope that one day they come back with a vengeance, in the meantime Tai’s launched a new project – a web series which he wrote, directed and starred in called Colour Blind.
The five-part comedy series centres on Gavin Walters, a well-intentioned but glaringly white casting specialist blundering through the maze of cultural sensitivity as he strives to bring diversity to the screen.
The cringe-worthy but giggle-inducing scenes are all based on real-life experiences.
“My whole reason behind creating the show was really to hold a mirror up to the industry and ask it to question its commitment to diversity,” the 30-year-old says.
“They’re my own personal experiences, but also the actors of colour who were involved in the series.”
“Everyone has these awkward and uncomfortable exchanges so many of which are really recent encounters.”
Tai has had quite the busy year, not just with working on Colour Blind, but with the exciting new arrival of his first child with wife Fely Irvine.
The proud dad’s voice immediately oozes with joy and pride when we ask how he’s enjoying fatherhood.
“It’s amazing, it’s everything and more. It’s one of those things that people tell you about but until you actually experience it you don’t realise how magical it is,” he tells us of his daughter.
“It’s been a beautiful journey so far and Fely is just such an incredible mother.”
“It’s amazing, it’s everything and more!” Tai is smitten over his new daughter.
(Instagram)The actress and singer looks incredible too. But, her amazing post-baby body recently became the target of mum-shaming trolls online.
However, Tai says the positive outweighs the negative, and that’s what the couple is focusing on.
“I think with anything with social media, when you put something out there, you open yourself up to a discussion on both sides.
“Everyone has such an individual journey with pregnancy and birth. There was a couple little comments here and there, but for the most part it’s been incredibly positive and the support from others who not just necessarily jump to her defence, but also just be there as an advocate is really beautiful.”
