Colleen Smart

[Perdita]

Lyn Collingwood has announced her departure from Home and Away after 13 years as a leading star. :crying:

The actress first joined the soap in 1988 as meddling Colleen Smart (née Hickey) for two years, before returning in 1999 as a regular character.

Collingwood's castmate Luke Mitchell - who plays Romeo Smith in the soap - revealed that her exit was "very sad".

"She's been around nearly as long as Ray [Meagher, who plays Alf]," Mitchell told TV Week.

"I really enjoyed working with her and she's one of my favourite characters to watch on screen."

Colleen's exit was filmed a few months ago and will be aired in Australia in the near future.

Mitchell's off-screen girlfriend Rebecca Breeds (Ruby Buckton) is also rumoured to be leaving the series.

The actor explained: "I can't confirm or deny [if she's left]. She has been on the show for a while but there are a few of us that have been. That's not to say she's left..."

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


Gutted, I like her a lot

[tammyy2j]

Shame she is leaving even if she is a busy body

[Dazzle]

I'm sorry to hear Colleen's leaving - she always makes me smile.

[Perdita]

Lyn Collingwood has explained why she is leaving Home and Away.

The 75-year-old actress, who has played Colleen Smart on-and-off since 1988, admitted that age played an important factor in her decision.

"I'd been there for a long time and there are a few other things I'm interested in doing," she told TV Week. "I'm researching New Theatre, which I've been involved with for 30-something years, and this frees my time up.

"You get to a certain age and you don't know how much longer you'll be around, quite frankly, and my memory is still quite good - I don't know how long that's going to last!"

Collingwood also revealed she will miss co-stars Ada Nicodemou (Leah) and Lynne McGranger (Irene) most.

Recalling her favourite moments as Colleen, the star added: "Years ago, some conman sold her a piece of land in Queensland and it was just a bog, and I enjoyed her being taken for a ride.

"Also, when she was a poker machine addict, but that only lasted for about five minutes. I liked the plane crash, and the abduction and being shaken up in the van - that was fun."

Collingwood hopes to distance herself from her gossipy, "politically incorrect" alter ego, adding: "Some people think you're like your character."

She does not look 75 years old :eek: