Summer Bay is set to lose another favourite this year as actor George Mason announces his exit from Home And Away.
The actor joined the soap in 2014 as Martin ‘Ash’ Ashford and tells The Daily Telegraph that “[playing] a main character on such a big television show” was his “dream job”.
The news won’t come as much of a surprise to fans.
Many have been speculating Ash would leave the Bay after the death of his on-screen partner Kat Chapman (Pia Miller).
Ash will leave the Bay later this year.
George starred as bad boy Ash in Home And Away for more than three years, joining the drama as fellow rebel and wildly popular Stephen Peacocke began finishing up his stint.
“The plan was always to come here [Australia],” George told TV WEEK in 2014.
“I’ve wanted to be an actor since I was 13.”
Before landing the coveted Australian role, George had a brief run in NZ soap, Shortland St and in comedy-drama Go Girls.
Ash rolled in to Summer Bay as Brax (Stephen Peacocke) was finishing up his stint.
Since finishing up on the show, the Kiwi actor has headed home to New Zealand to film his latest project, Daffodils.
The 26-year-old will star alongside iZombie star and fellow Kiwi Rose McIver, 27, and Grammy-winning singer Kimbra, 27, in the musical.
Daffodils is a bittersweet love-story set in the ’60s and is based on the critically-acclaimed stage play of the same name.
It sees George as Eric and Rose as Rose (yes, she shares a name with her character) bring to life an epic love-story set among the daffodils in Hamilton, NZ. It’s backed by an unforgettable soundtrack of re-imagined iconic New Zealand songs.
George has headed home to New Zealand for his next role.
The announcement comes just weeks after it was confirmed ex-Neighbours star Ashleigh Brewer is joining Home And Away.
“I’m not allowed to give too much away just yet,” Ashleigh says of her new role.
“But we know that her name is Chelsea and she’s a police officer, she’s come to the Bay to give one of our favourites a real shock.”
George is expected to remain on screens until mid-2018.
