All change at Home and Away as THREE main characters exit

Home and Away

It's all change in Summer Bay...

There are three big names making their departure from Home and Away in the coming weeks as characters Ben and Maggie Astoni leave Summer Bay, along with relative newcomer Gemma Parata.

Home and Away fans know that episodes aired in Australia are a few months ahead of what we are watching in the UK... and currently in Australia Maggie and Ben are getting ready to leave Summer Bay.

Home and Away, Maggie Astoni, Ben Astoni

Maggie and Ben are set to leave Summer Bay in coming weeks (Picture: Channel 5) (Image credit: Channel 5)

Fans have watched the pair's marriage put to the test over the last year thanks to Ben's mental health struggles, and more recently when Maggie's life-long secret was revealed.

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The last few weeks have seen Maggie's secret that she slept with Ben's brother years ago before they got married threaten to tear their marriage apart.

But thankfully it seems there is hope for the couple working their way through the trouble because in Australia fans have watched them preparing to leave for Italy.

Home and Away, Maggie Astoni

Maggie and Ben have been through the mill recently (Picture: Channel 5) (Image credit: Channel 5)

Long-time fans of the soap will remember the couple were on the verge of taking the trip of a lifetime in Italy when Maggie was diagnosed with cancer.

Heading off to Italy 

But now the pair are planning to take that trip after all - and without taking their daughters Coco and Ziggy with them.

As Home and Away actors Kestie Morassi and Rohan Nichol, better known as Summer Bay's Maggie and Ben, make their departure from the show, Kestie told Australian magazine New Idea that she has high hopes for Ben and Maggie's marriage...

"I like to believe Maggie and Ben are going to be able to work through any issues they have and grow old together.

Home and Away, Ben Astoni

Ben and Maggie will head to Italy for a fresh start (Picture: Channel 5) (Image credit: Channel 5)

"It's what they've always imagined for their future."

Kestie also admitted that working at Home and Away has been a career highlight...

"I expected it to be wonderful and exciting, but I didn't expect to fall so deeply in love with the people I worked with.

"I can't tell you the joy this job has brought me."

But there is hope the couple might return one day, because they won't be killed off in a dramatic stunt...

Home and Away, Gemma Parata

Gemma Parata is also departing Summer Bay (Picture: Channel 5) (Image credit: Channel 5)

"We drive off into the sunset," admits Kestie. "They seem to have left it very open, which is nice.

Actress Bree Peters, better known to soap fans as Gemma Parata, has also left the soap in Australia.

Her character departed Summer Bay to scatter the ashes of her late husband Mikaere back in New Zealand.

Watch Home and Away every weekday at 1.15pm and 6pm on Channel 5

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.