We rank the top 20 Home And Away characters of all time

20. Martha Mackenzie (JODI ANASTA), 1988, 2005-2010

Martha holds a special place in the hearts of long-time fans because she was born to the teenage Roo (Justine Clarke) in the show’s first year. When Martha arrived back in the Bay in 2005 – played by ex-model Jodi rather than Burcin Kapkin – she was definitely all grown up. The image of her working as a pole dancer in a tiny skirt is etched into the memory of many viewers. When Martha wasn’t dancing, she spent much of her time narrowly avoiding death.

19. Ricky Sharpe (BONNIE SVEEN), 2013-2016

Honest and with a heart of gold, Ricky Sharpe is one of the all-time sweethearts of Summer Bay. However, what endeared her most to Home And Away fans was that she became one part of the super-couple that was Brax and Ricky. From incarceration to a miscarriage, marriage and eventually a baby son, their relationship was a rollercoaster. The popularity of the pair as a couple throughout all the drama cemented their status as Summer Bay royalty. All hail the king and queen!

18. AILSA STEWART (JUDY NUNN), 1988-2000, 2002-2003

Long before Leah and Irene ran the Diner, it was owned by Alf’s wife, Ailsa, and Bobby (Nicolle Dickson). Practical, caring and down-to-earth, Ailsa was always on hand to listen to other people’s problems. On the surface, she appeared a model citizen, but Ailsa had a secret – she’d been jailed for murdering her abusive father. After surviving everything from a mudslide to an armed hold-up during her years in the Bay, Ailsa died of a heart attack.

17. CHARLIE BUCKTON (ESTHER ANDERSON), 2008-2013

Vulnerable, brash and often misunderstood – police officer Charlie Buckton was a polarising personality. It was this intriguing mix, combined with bold storylines, that made her so memorable. Charlie’s first notable storyline saw her embark on a lesbian relationship. Another key storyline revolved around the shock revelation that her supposed sister, Ruby (Rebecca Breeds), was, in fact, her daughter! And who could forget her ill-fated relationship with newly arrived bad boy Brax. Charlie’s shooting death was heartbreaking.

16. ROMEO SMITH (LUKE MITCHELL), 2009-2013

A total charmer, Romeo Smith was an instant hit with Home And Away fans. His drama-filled relationship with Indi Walker (Samara Weaving) was a hallmark of his time on the show. Somehow their relationship managed to survive the turbulence. However, it was Romeo’s eventual exit that tugged at the heartstrings. After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, Romeo concealed his health issues from Indi. His ashes were eventually returned to the Bay and sprinkled across the cliff where the couple spent their last night together. Sob!

15. ROO STEWART (JUSTINE CLARKE & GEORGIE PARKER) (JUSTINE – 1988-1989; GEORGIE – 2010 to present)

Roo is one of those characters fans feel like they’ve grow up with – even if the growing up happened off-screen. She started out as a tearaway, falling pregnant while in her teens, and eventually leaving the Bay. Roo returned as an adult 21 years later – and has faced many challenges, including health scares and falling for a younger man. “Roo’s quite a rebel,” Georgie, 52, says.

14. SHANE PARRISH (DIETER BRUMMER), 1992-1996

He was the brother of the local cop, but that didn’t stop rebellious teen Shane breaking into houses, lighting fires and stealing cars. The bad boy turned over a new leaf when he fell in love with Angel, and soon found himself happily married and raising Angel’s young son, Dylan (Corey Glaister), as his own. During a family picnic to celebrate the couple’s first wedding anniversary, Shane collapsed and died from septicaemia, leaving Angel heartbroken.

13. EMMA JACKSON (DANNII MINOGUE),

Described as a punk and a “spunky tomboy” Emma came to live with her aunt Ailsa Stewart (Judy Nunn) after attacking her stepfather, Barry. She clashed with Ailsa’s husband Alf (Ray Meagher) from the beginning. But she quickly became a fan-favourite!

12. Donald Fisher (NORMAN COBURN), 1988-2003, 2004, 2005, 2007

Known as Flathead, stern Summer Bay High principal Donald was widely disliked in the early days of H&A. In fact, when Bobby found out he was her biological father, she was horrified. But viewers saw his softer side as time went on, especially as he formed a close bond with Bobby. They say opposites attract, and that was the case when Donald wed bubbly beautician Marilyn in 1996.

11. MARILYN PALMER (EMILY SYMONS), 1989-1992, 1995-1999, 2001, 2010 to present

The loveable Marilyn has brought lots of laughs to Summer Bay. But it’s the heart-wrenching storylines around her son, Byron, that made a big impact. Married to Donald Fisher, Marilyn went through a traumatic birth, had postnatal depression, then lost Byron to cancer. Fans were thrilled when Marilyn returned to the Bay in 2010, along with her ventriloquist’s doll, Mr Oddly. In recent years, she married John Palmer (Shane Withington) and suffered amnesia after a fall.

10. Vinnie Patterson (RYAN KWANTEN), 1997-2002

Larrikin Vinnie dated Sally, but it was Leah who stole his heart. The cute couple were married in a colourful ceremony combining their Greek and Scottish heritages. But, after being implicated in his father’s dodgy dealings, Vinnie was arrested for fraud. Despite being innocent, Vinnie went to jail after the birth of son VJ (later played by Matt Little). He was released into witness protection, but died in an accident.

9. KIM HYDE (CHRIS HEMSWORTH), 2004-2007

As the rebellious son of Summer Bay High’s principal, Kim turned heads when he arrived in 2004. Despite a feud with his father, Kim was a beach boy with a knack for saving lives. His charm and good looks won over golden girl Hayley, who unexpectedly fell pregnant. Fans delighted in the pairing but sadly, it didn’t last. He wound up with Kit (Amy Mizzi) and his surprise son, Archie.

8. HAYLEY LAWSON (BEC HEWITT & ELLA SCOTT LYNCH) (BEC HEWITT – 1998-2005; ELLA SCOTT LYNCH – 2005)

After following her brother, Will (Zac Drayson), to the Bay, Hayley was taken in by his foster mum, Irene. Hayley had a string of boyfriends during her time in the Bay, but her relationship with Noah (Beau Brady) was the most memorable. Noah proposed on Hayley’s 21st birthday and the pair wed in a beachside ceremony. Shortly after their wedding, Noah was shot by a stalker and died. Hayley was devastated, but found love with Scott (Kip Gamblin).

7. IRENE ROBERTS (JACQY PHILLIPS &LYNNE MCGRANGER) (JACQY PHILLIPS – 1991-92; LYNNE MCGRANGER – 1993 to present)

For more than 20 years, Irene has been the battler of Summer Bay. The resilient redhead has fought breast cancer, alcoholism and stalkers – to name just a few. Yet she’s always bounced back using her strength and “flippin’ heck” catchphrase. Irene’s open-door policy has seen all walks of life receive her advice and a hot cuppa. But her kind heart gets her into strife. Most recently, the arrival of her troubled son Mick (Kristian Schmid) reopened a dark chapter and put her at odds with bestie and business partner Leah.

6. PIPPA ROSS (VANESSA DOWNING & DEBRA LAWRANCE) (VANESSA DOWNING – 1988-1990; DEBRA LAWRANCE 1990-1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005-2009)

The first episode of Home And Away centred on the kind-hearted Pippa, her husband Tom (Roger Oakley) and their foster children moving to the Bay. But Pippa dealt with more than her share of grief, too: Tom died of a heart attack, she lost a baby to SIDS, and her second husband, Michael (Dennis Coard), drowned. While she adored all her children, Pippa always had a special place in her heart for Sally.

5. ANGEL PARRISH (MELISSA GEORGE), 1993-1996

Runaway teen Angel made quite an impression on Shane when she showed up in the Bay and sold him fake concert tickets. Despite initially loathing each other, the pair fell in love. They almost split up when Shane discovered Angel had a son she’d never told him about. But Shane forgave her and they were engaged. Just months before their wedding, however, Angel was hit by a car and left paralysed. In an emotional-filled moment, Angel got up out of her wheelchair and, with great difficulty, walked down the aisle to marry Shane.

4. DARRYL”BRAX” BRAXTON (STEPHEN PEACOCKE), 2011-2016

From the moment he arrived in Summer Bay, bad boy Brax was causing trouble. He and his River Boy brothers started a brawl at a restaurant – although he did apologise the next day. Brax was tough but fair. And he had an eye for the ladies. He fell in love with the local cop, Charlie. When she died, he went off the rails – and was beaten to a pulp as a cage-fighter. Ricky helped steer Brax back on course, and the pair had a baby together, eventually driving off into the sunset together as a family.

3. LEAH PATTERSON-BAKER (ADA NICODEMOU), 2000 to present

You’ve got to adore Leah, the single mum who’s had such bad luck in love. Leah gave us a big Greek wedding with Ryan Kwanten as her groom, Vinnie, in a kilt. That happy marriage produced son VJ, but ended when Leah heard Vinnie had died in jail. Her next two marriages also ended, but Leah never seems to give up on love. The Bay wouldn’t be the same without her!

2. SALLY FLETCHER (KATE RITCHIE), 1988-2008, 2013

When we first met Sally, she was a cute eight-year-old who’d just moved to the Bay with foster parents Tom and Pippa. Over 20 years, we watched the schoolgirl grow up to become Summer Bay High’s principal. She also followed in Pippa’s footsteps by becoming a foster mum. Love blossomed when Sally met Flynn (Martin Dingle Wall and Joel McIlroy). The pair tied the knot and welcomed baby Pippa. But tragedy struck when Flynn was diagnosed with melanoma and died months later. Needing a change, Sally and Pippa reluctantly bid farewell to Summer Bay and moved to Thailand.

1. Alf stewart (RAY MEAGHER), 1988 to present

Well, strewth! Any flamin’ galah can see that Alf Stewart is Home And Away’s all-time greatest character. Since the beginning in 1988, Alf and his broad-brimmed hat have been a permanent fixture on our TV screens. Fans have become accustomed to Alf’s quick quips and no-nonsense attitude, with his trademark slogans now ingrained in Australian pop culture.