Features > Back to the Bay - 20 Returning Facts

OK, corny I know. We've managed to work the site's name into one of the titles of the feature. Read various facts about characters returning and not-returning and just generally stuff like that.

Mass Returns

Sally's First Wedding
OK, Sally's had three weddings, but this is the only one that gets a mention in the "Mass Returns" part of this because this was really the only one that had any great number returning to see her get hitched. Indeed, by the time it came to her third wedding and second non-wedding to Brad, if we exclude Fisher who had been teaching the students of Summer Bay for the past couple of months, only Pippa returned. However, if someone I knew was about to walk down the wedding for the 3rd time at at 28 I don't think I'd see it as that special an occasion either.

Summer Bay's Sesquicentenary
For some reason in 2002, it was decided that Summer Bay was going to turn 150 years ago. Quite who or why this was decided, I have no idea, but loads of old faces like Floss and Celia returned to the Bay, as did some younger ones like Sam and bizarrely for apparently no reason, Matt.

Alf's 60th Birthday
For Alf 60th, Martha, Ric and Cassie decided to ring up some of Alf's old pals and families. 4 of the 5 Stewart siblings, and all 4 that had been seen were in the same room, as well as one of his children, perennial returnees such as Will, Sophie and Lance.

Just can't keep you away

Lance Smart
Returned 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Many fans were disappointed with his non-return in 2007.

Damian Roberts
After leaving Summer Bay for Uni in very early 1995, Damian returned to Summer Bay on a regular basis for weddings, funerals, miscarriages and just about everything else till mid-1996.

Kit Hunter
Left to go to Uni in 2004, but returned a few months later for Robbie's 17th and that was just for starters. Returned nearly 2 or 3 times each year till she finally left for good earlier this year with Kim.

Pippa Ross
Since leaving in 1998 she has returned in 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2007. Despite this she has actually appeared in very few episodes, only around 30 since then as most stints have been 2 or 3 episodes.

Ken Smith
I believe Ken deserves an honorary mention for appearing in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2004 despite the fact he is dead. It was even written in for him to have an appearance in 2005, but 3 people seeing dead-Ken might have just been going a bit too far.

Steven Matheson
After leaving Summer Bay for a second time in 1996, he returned to the show in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2003.

Carly Morris
Returned to Summer Bay in 1997, 2000, 2001 and 2002, all without her husband, Julian McMahon who plays Ben Lucini.

Welcome Home

Steven Matheson
After leaving for University, Stevo returned in 1995 to teach Maths at Summer Bay High.

Marilyn Chambers
Marilyn left Summer Bay in 1992 to marry Phil Bryant. She returned in 1995 having split up with Phil and then married Fisher.

Jesse McGregor
Since 1996, Jesse has really only known two places to live. Summer Bay and jail. Appeared from 1996-2000 and 2002-2005. 

Morag Bellingham
Morag has never actually returned full-time to the show like the above names, but her near constant presence from 2004-2007 puts her on this list, ironically much longer than her actual full time stint which lasted under a year.

Rotten Returns

Adam Cameron - Returned as part of Bonza Burgers in 1999 and then left after realising everyone still hated him. Why?
Grant Mitchell - Returned in 1991 to sit in the diner for a few weeks. Why?
Damian Roberts - Returned in 1995 to announce he was becoming a priest. Why?
Donald Fisher - Returned in 2007 to have more misery heaped upon him. Why?

And Finally....

When will I see you again?
..those who haven't returned, but made the opening credits were Tom, Lynn, Neville, Roo, Viv, Emma, Ben, Nick P, Lucinda, Simon, Shane, Luke, Roxy, Tug, Angel, Rob, Curtis, Shannon, Donna, Kelly, Travis, Alex, Liam, Stephanie, Joey, Casey, Rebecca, Tiegan, Justine, Joel, Vinnie, Gypsy, Hayley, Peta, Harry, Edward, Judith, Nick S, Rhys, Dani, Kirsty, Seb, Flynn, Charlotte, Max, Scott, Beth, Tasha, Robbie, Kane, Kim, Henry, Hyde and Josie. Will any return for the first time leaving the show this year?

And as a teddy-bear...
Ryan Kwanten didn't return as Vinnie, though some guy clowned about in a bear suit pretending to be Vinnie.

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