Home and Away Summer Break 2012
Channel 5 bosses have announced plans to delve into Home and Away's history when the soap takes its annual summer break this July.
Home and Away will go on hiatus in the UK for five weeks from July 27, but station chiefs will celebrate the show's past by asking viewers to pick their favourite episodes from almost 25 years of Summer Bay dramas.
'Home and Away: From Day One' will launch on digital channel 5* on Monday, July 30 as the show's feature-length pilot from 1988 is aired.
Viewers' favourite episodes from 1989 to the present day will then be played in a Home and Away double bill from July 31 until the series returns on the main channel on Monday, September 3.
Three episodes have been shortlisted for every year between 1989 and 2012. The two most popular episodes from each year will play out weeknights from 6pm on 5*.
Additionally, the episode which ranks in third place will be available to watch exclusively online at Channel 5's official Home and Away website. This will also be where viewers can vote for their favourite episodes.
Greg Barnett, Channel 5's commissioning editor for entertainment, daytime and soaps, commented: "Home and Away is as good now as it was when it started - as winning the 'Best Daytime Soap' at last year's Inside Soap Awards proves.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for viewers to remember some of the classic moments from almost 25 years on air and to bring lapsed viewers slap bang up to date with the latest stories. It's unmissable TV."
Original cast member Ray Meagher, who plays Alf Stewart, added: "Channel 5 is offering UK viewers a real treat this summer. All the classic episodes are here and many of the first appearances from some of the current key cast including Marilyn, Irene, Morag and a slightly younger Alf."
Voting for 'Home and Away: From Day One' will open on Monday, June 25 and close on Sunday, July 8.
