As Home and Away approaches its 37th anniversary, fans from around the globe have spoken, and the verdict is clear: Alf Stewart, played by Ray Meagher, remains the most beloved character in the soap’s long history. The poll, conducted by Australian soap website Back to the Bay, saw thousands of votes pour in, celebrating nearly four decades of drama, heartache, and iconic catchphrases in Summer Bay.
Alf Stewart has been a cornerstone of Home and Away since the very first episode aired on January 17, 1988. With his trademark one-liners and paternal presence, Alf has stood the test of time, claiming the top spot in the Back to the Bay poll with a commanding 45% of fans including him in their top five favourite characters.
This marks the third time Alf has been crowned fans’ favourite, following wins in 2018 and 2022. Trailing Alf in the rankings were Tane Parata (Ethan Browne) and Cash Newman (Nicholas Cartwright), who placed second and third, respectively.
Also making the top 100 list were a number of actors who’ve gone on to have phenomenal success since leaving the show. At #57 is Shannon Reed, played by Isla Fisher, at #65 is Angel Parrish, played by Melissa George, and at #66 is Kim Hyde, played by Hollywood superstar Chris Hemsworth. As Home and Away prepares to host an ‘Early Years Tour’ event in 2025, touring Bath, Manchester, London and Birmingham in May, the early characters are still proving popular.
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