And even when they do it’s generally characters who’ve only left in recent years (i.e. Bella, Ziggy, Dean), etc.
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They brought back Theo’s dad (Leah’s brother) in 2022 after 17years off the show.
On a different topic ,no one lives at John’s house anymore we never see the set anymore.
Stone the flamin’ crows! ‘Should’ve gone to Specsavers’ goes to Summer Bay
Specsavers announces new integrated partnership with the Seven Network’s Home and Away
Specsavers today announces a partnership with Australia’s number one television drama series, Home and Away. Starting on 11 August, viewers of the Seven Network drama will be treated to “Should’ve gone to Specsavers” moments exclusive to Home and Away.
Developed by 7RED Engine, the campaign features mini dramas using iconic locations from the show, played out by characters that bring together the drama of Home and Away with the comedic twist of Specsavers to highlight the importance of regular sight tests.
The partnership consists of six 15-second TVCs, each built around relatable mix-ups that stem from sight issues. They begin with the characters involved in what appear to be tense and dramatic scenes, but then unexpected twists reveal harmless scenarios, with just visual mishaps to blame for any confusion. Whether it’s a surfer showing off his new tattoo with a typo, a dad mistaking his baby for another baby in the Pier Diner or a mistaken proposal on the iconic Summer Bay beach, Specsavers’ trademark comedic timing and delivery are unmistakable.
“Home and Away gives us a great platform to reach the right audience but as with all our ‘Should’ve’ campaigns it’s relatable and has that core serious message at the heart of it. We all know that mistakes are easily made if your eyesight is failing, and so these executions are a good reminder to Australians of all ages to look after their eye health,” said Specsavers Head of Marketing, Awareness & Consideration, Anri McHugh.
“Specsavers is a brand which has consistently proved the longevity and success of TV advertising, and the creativity of the new sponsorship builds on both Home and Away and Specsavers’ enduring appeal. I hope Home and Away viewers enjoy watching the series of TVCs as much as our team enjoyed making them with the 7REDEngine team,” he continued.
Seven’s National Television Sales Director, Katie Finney, said: “Home and Away has long been a ratings powerhouse for Seven, captivating Australian audiences for decades and growing its total TV audience by 10 per cent year-on-year. This new partnership with Specsavers connects the brand with Australia’s most loved drama, highlighting the importance of regular eye checks while adding a dose of light-hearted, comedic drama to our ad breaks.”
Head of 7RED Engine Creative, Ben Fletcher, said: “Bringing together two iconic brands - Home and Away and Specsavers - has given us the opportunity to create a first for the series and something truly memorable for our audience. It’s been a pleasure collaborating with Specsavers, who not only recognised the creative potential, but championed it from the start.”
Home and Away’s audience is a key demographic for Specsavers and the sponsorship, negotiated and bought by WPP media brand EssenceMediacom, is a new and fully integrated way for the brand to reach prime-time Australian TV viewers.
Remona Salem from EssenceMediaCom said: “This new sponsorship is a fantastic partnership between one of Australia’s number one local television dramas and one of the most recognisable TV advertisers. Specsavers is a brand that has consistently proven the longevity and success of TV advertising, and the creativity of this new sponsorship builds on both Home and Away and Specsavers’ enduring appeal with Australian audiences. We’re delighted to bring this iconic partnership together.”
Airing from August 11, six 15-second TVCs will be rotated weekly across the show, naturally aligning with upcoming storylines and themes. We’ll have a national presence across the Seven Network, appearing on metro and regional linear TV broadcasts, and will feature on streaming of Home and Away on 7plus. This will be further supported by comprehensive digital and social plans.”
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Home and Away says goodbye to Irene
The event 33 years in the making
It’s the history-making event that all of Australia will be watching.
Next week, across two unmissable nights, Home and Away farewells Irene Roberts (Lynne McGranger), in episodes sure to have the nation in tears.
After a series of concerning memory lapses leading to a shock Alzheimer’s diagnosis, Irene has made the difficult decision to leave Summer Bay behind and see the world while she still can.
Starting next Monday and continuing Tuesday, the tight-knit community comes together under the hot Summer Bay sun to celebrate their friend with the ultimate send-off. Her nearest and dearest – led by Leah (Ada Nicodemou) – pull out all the stops to honour Irene and the indelible mark she has left on the Bay after 33 years. It’s a day filled with love, laughter, tears and dancing, as the Bay rallies to give Irene the farewell she deserves.
Over the past three decades, Irene has become part of the fabric of the seaside community, having taken in multiple foster children and offering a safe haven to those in need. She has been at the centre of many of Home and Away’s biggest storylines, including her battle with alcoholism, a breast cancer diagnosis, the shock arrival of a long-lost son, a ferry boat sinking, a bomb explosion, a plane crash, and a stint in prison for a murder she did not commit.
Despite the challenges she has endured, Irene’s resilience and tell-it-like-it-is nature have made her a force to be reckoned with. Irene is not only a beloved fan-favourite, but her numerous colloquialisms and catchphrases (“girly”, “darl”, “flippin’ heck!”) have become embedded in Australian pop culture, with TV WEEK ranking her the second Greatest Australian TV Character of All Time, as voted by readers in a 2023 poll.
Lynne McGranger – who recently took home the coveted Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television and the Silver Logie for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series at the 65th TV WEEK Logie Awards – announced in February that she had made the massive decision to leave Home and Away.
On her decision to leave the show, Lynne said: “After almost 33 years in my dream role and working every day with people who I love, respect and whom I now consider family, it’s bittersweet to be closing the chapter on what has been the best and longest gig of my life. I am forever grateful to the best production crew in the world and to our genius writers – whose doors are always open – for everything they have done for Irene over the past 33-odd years, and I am so proud of the storyline which will see Irene out of the Bay. Above all, a massive, heartfelt thank you to the fans for your continued love and support.”
Don’t miss the history-making event, as Home and Away says goodbye to a legend.
Home and Away says goodbye to Irene
Starts 7.00pm Monday, 18 August and continues Tuesday 19
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Despite the Ch7 overkill claiming that ‘everyone in Australia will be watching’ I think her final two episodes are going to be really good and very emotional. In particular I think Irene’s relationship with John is going to be really hard to watch.
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How long have her and John been together? I think last time I watched it he was with Marilyn. Is she still in it - she’s as much history with Irene as Leah.
John and Irene are not a couple. They’re just friends. And yes, Marilyn is still on the show.
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Way, way too much hype about Irene’s departure over the past few months. I’m sure it turned off a lot of people and it wouldn’t surprise me if the figures tonight are lower than they expected. I hope I’m wrong though and I’m looking forward to tonight’s episode.
If Seven weren’t hyping it up then people would complain they weren’t doing it enough to publicuse. Just like a few weeks ago when some were complaing that Lynne McGranger wasn’t getting enough publicoty for her Gold Logie nomination. Guess what? She won. 
Given. She is the longest serving cast member I think it warrants the hype. Don’t watch if it’s so offensive to you.
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Ray Meagher would be the longest serving cast member but at 33 years, Lynne desrves a big send off. I’m not a fan of the show but I think such milestones in any show deserve recognition.
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Home and Away has been airing at 1pm yesterday, today and tomorrow, before returning to their 1pm Movies of Thursday. They are repeats (from last Fri, last night and tonight).
So id think that Seven are sending her off with a bang. And rightly so.
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Not offensive to me at all.
Re-reading my original post I see that it came across not as I intended. Lynne deserves all the hype she gets after 33 years. I was just meaning all the adverts for the past few months have put some people off.
No problems I just haven’t seen anyone in here complain about it though. I think it has been great to promote her final episodes to the extent they did. Especially after her gold logins win 
Irene’s farewell was such a non-event. Very disappointing.
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Did you want the car she was leaving in to blow up? 
No, I wanted the return of some old favourites and for her to share more than two words in private with other stalwart Alf.
It was just such an anticlimax and undeserving of a character who had such a unique and profound influence on the show.
I haven’t watched for 20 years, but tuned in the last couple of weeks and all the other characters and storylines seem so bland and boring. All their personalities roll into one.
They had the perfect opportunity to show a montage when she looked back after closing the door to her house for the final time as well.
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