The Astoni Family

[Pantherboy]

Digital Spy article:


Home and Away teases shock collapse for major character in new promo
And the Astoni paternity drama continues...

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hom...-collapse-ben/

Home and Away spoilers follow from Australian-pace episodes, which some UK readers may prefer to avoid.

Home and Away is gearing up for a shock collapse for Ben Astoni in a new trailer, as well as the results of the current paternity storyline.

As viewers in Australia will know, the Astoni family have been involved in a lot of drama lately after the arrival of Marco, Ben's troublesome brother.

It's been revealed that Maggie actually had a one-night stand with Marco many years ago, raising the possibility that he could be Ziggy's father, rather than Ben.

With the truth out, they realise that a paternity test is the best option to finally get the answer, and in a new preview clip, we see Ziggy holding an envelope that appears to reveal all.

"I'll always be your dad and you'll always be my daughter," a voiceover of Ben declares as the two embrace on the beach.

However, another twist is to come as Ben is hospitalised after collapsing in front of Maggie, though it's currently unclear what causes the situation.

Meanwhile, we also get a glimpse at new arrival Tane Parata, who has made occasional appearances in recent months but hasn't moved to the bay just yet.

Speaking previously about the paternity storyline and the gruelling one-week wait for the truth, Ziggy actress Sophie Dillman told TV Week: "Technically, no-one did anything wrong in that [Maggie] didn't cheat and [Maggie and Ben] had broken up, but it's the lie she carried with her.

"Ziggy feels awful because she pushed Ben to rekindle the relationship with his brother. But Marco has destroyed that in one visit. Whatever the answer, the big question will forever be, how do you come back from something like this?"

Home and Away currently airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1.15pm on Channel 5 (UK), and Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 (Australia).

[Pantherboy]

Nowtolove.com.au article:

AUST PACE!


The results are in as Home And Away’s Maggie discovers who Ziggy’s true father is
Double the daddy issues.

https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebri...revealed-63767

One question has been left hanging over Ziggy's head since she learnt of her mother's long-ago fling with Marco - is he her biological father?

Now, she's about to find out.

In Home And Away, Marco (Tim Walter, right) ordered a paternity test to find out who Ziggy's (Sophie Dillman) father is. Maggie (Kestie Morassi), though reluctant, agrees.

In recent episodes, she revealed to her husband Ben (Rohan Nichol) that she slept with his brother Marco while they were briefly broken up.

While facing the fallout from the secret she's carried for decades, the consequence could not only end her marriage, but cause Ben to lose Ziggy.

"How can you come back from this?" Sophie tells TV WEEK.

"Ziggy feels awful because she pushed her dad to rekindle his relationship with his brother, but now Marco has destroyed their family with one piece of information. She can't imagine life without Ben as her father."

Maggie, who has been ostracised by her family for weeks, attempts to mend fences, but Ziggy is interested only in being there for her dad. She dodges her mother's phone calls – and lashes out at her boyfriend Dean (Patrick O'Connor), straining that relationship too.

"The rage monster is out," Sophie says with a laugh.

"Ziggy is really angry. She went through all the deceit with Brody [Jackson Heywood, who played her ex-husband] and now it's happening again between her parents. She's heartbroken."

While Ziggy and Ben help each other through the hard times, Maggie is on her own. She turns to Roo (Georgie Parker) for advice as to how to fix her marriage. Unfortunately, it could be too little too late.

The following day, Marco arrives with the news Maggie has been waiting to hear. He hands her an envelope containing the results of the paternity test. With a trembling hand, she opens the letter and begins to read…

"Whatever the results are, things have changed for the family," Sophie says.

A few hours later, Ziggy arrives home to finish packing.

The tension is palpable as Maggie tries to make small talk. When that doesn't work, she tells her daughter she's found out the results.

Now, after weeks of silence, Ziggy gives her mother her undivided attention. What will Maggie say?

[Pantherboy]

Digital Spy article:

AUST PACE!


Home and Away star Kestie Morassi hints Ben and Maggie Astoni could split up
Ben just can't get over the past.

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hom...-astoni-split/

Home and Away spoilers follow for UK and Australian viewers.

Home and Away star Kestie Morassi has hinted that Ben and Maggie Astoni could split up as the past comes back to threaten their relationship.

In recent scenes (which are yet to air in the UK), the Astoni family were rocked by the reveal that Maggie (Morassi) slept with Ben's blackmailing brother Marco two decades ago.

In scenes set to air in Australia next week, a paternity test will confirm that Ben is indeed Ziggy's father, but he still can't come to terms with Maggie's betrayal all those years ago.

Now, Morassi has revealed that the ongoing drama could spell the end for Ben and Maggie's relationship.

"Maggie's night with Marco all those years ago when she and Ben had temporarily split up meant nothing to Maggie," she told New Idea magazine.

"Ben has always been her number one, and she knows she has made a terrible mistake by being with Marco that one time and not telling her husband about it. She just wants to move on, but now she may never be able to do so.

"As far as Ben is concerned, it's not so much the act itself – it's not the fact that Maggie spent the night with his brother 20 years ago - but more that she kept it from him all this time.

She added: "Ben now feels that their entire marriage has been a lie. Maggie, on the other hand, certainly doesn't view it this way."

Ben isn't the only one who can't get past it, however. Their daughter Ziggy will also struggle to come to terms with her mum's previous actions.

"This continues to be a huge trial for Ziggy and her family to go through. Everything could fall apart.

Home and Away airs on Channel 5 in the UK and Channel 7 in Australia.

[tammyy2j]

Is Ben her real father?

[Pantherboy]

Is Ben her real father?

SPOILER ALERT!


Yes, he is

[Rowdydog12]

Maggie has a cold.

[Pantherboy]

Digital Spy article:

AUST PACE!


Home and Away stars speak out on major character's shock collapse
"It's indescribable."

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hom...-ben-collapse/

Home and Away stars Kestie Morassi and Patrick O'Connor have spoken out about Ben Astoni's shock collapse.

As viewers in Australia know, the Astoni family are really going through it at the moment following the reveal that Ben's troublesome brother Marco could actually be Ziggy's father, as he had a one-night-stand with Maggie (Morassi) almost two decades ago.

But the soap is now lining up another major shock as Ben is hospitalised after collapsing in front of Maggie. It's not yet clear what causes the situation, but he'll soon find himself in a critical condition as he deteriorates and suffers a seizure.

Speaking out about the shocking new storyline, Morassi told New Idea magazine: "For those who have had this type of scare with a family member, it's indescribable – and for those who haven't, it's almost unimaginable.

"The fear of losing someone that close to you is horrific. It would send anyone into an awful head-space. In these situations, I think you almost go into survival mode because you can't fathom it."

She continued: "The most important thing for Ziggy right now is to make sure her dad is OK and that he gets the right kind of help. And, of course, Ziggy knows that he needs to have Maggie by his side along with her.

"There is strength in numbers and Ziggy still feels like they can handle anything to together."

O'Connor, who plays Ziggy's boyfriend Dean, added: "It's very intense for the whole family. Dean really cared about bother Maggie and Ben, so this affects him a great deal, too.

"Unfortunately for Ben and the family, his test results confirm everyone's worst fears. Will he be okay?"

Home and Away currently airs on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 1.15pm on Channel 5 (UK), and Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 (Australia).



And from Nowtolove.com.au:

Ben’s life hangs in the balance

Can something please go right for poor Ben? We certainly hope so – and soon!

Amid the anguish of his wife's betrayal, Ben (Rohan Nichol, above) turns to anti-depressants to cope this week. He recently discovered Maggie (Kestie Morassi, above) slept with his brother Marco (Tim Walter) before they were married.

He also almost lost Ziggy (Sophie Dillman) as a daughter when his paternity was questioned.

Ben has a long history with depression and anxiety, but won't listen to Maggie's fears as he hides himself from his family. While angry with her mother, Ziggy worries her father won't recover.

After persistent phone calls, Ben finally agrees to have dinner with his wife. But, at the table, they struggle to make small talk and it doesn't go well.

Eventually, Ben claims he isn't feeling well and storms off. He returns to work, knocking back more pills.

The next day, when Maggie arrives to apologise but finds Ben unconscious, she calls for an ambulance. Will Ben be OK?

[Rowdydog12]

Anyone else think Ben needs a swift punch to the head to wake up to himself? Maggie should just stand up and say "yeah righto im out of here " and go visit that girl that used to be in the show that they called Coco. Not sure who Coco was , maybe a house guest that stayed a while with them but just left and never came back , even when there was breakdowns/cancer/marriage breakdowns of her former housemates.

[Pantherboy]

Digital Spy article:

AUST PACE!


Home and Away's Ben and Maggie Astoni make a huge decision over their marriage
Ziggy won't be happy.

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hom...iage-decision/

Home and Away's Ben and Maggie Astoni have decided to start living apart in the show's latest Australian episode.

The popular pair made the decision in Wednesday's edition on Channel 7 in Australia (May 20), which is sure to leave their daughter Ziggy stunned.

At UK pace, viewers have seen the start of a devastating new storyline for the Astoni family, as Ben's brother Marco blackmails Maggie over their secret romantic past.

Meanwhile, viewers in Australia have recently seen Maggie confess all to Ben about this big secret, which ultimately led to them separating.

Wednesday's visit to Summer Bay saw Ziggy struggle badly with her parents' decision to split up.

Ziggy wanted Maggie to keep fighting for her marriage, but was surprised to learn that her mum was starting to give up.

Ziggy's patience was tested further when Ben and Maggie kept bickering. Unable to see this happen, Ziggy urged them to work things out – or do things properly by living apart.

While Ziggy immediately regretted her ultimatum, her advice seemingly gave the former couple food for thought.

Maggie told Ben: "Ziggy's right, this isn't working. I think it's pretty clear what has to happen next."

Ben agreed: "One of us has to move out."

Is this the final nail in the coffin for the Astonis' marriage?

Home and Away fans in the UK will see these scenes on Channel 5 in late June.

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.15pm and 6pm on Channel 5 (UK) and Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 (Australia).