Sarah Roberts cryptically reveals she was ‘reluctant’ to leave Home and Away and ‘was open to staying on the show’ as she bids a sad farewell to Summer Bay
Earlier this month, Sarah Roberts bid farewell to her beloved character Willow Harris on Home and Away.
Speaking to Stellar Magazine on Friday, the 36-year-old actress admitted she was reluctant to leave her role on the long-running drama after four years.
‘My last day filming was very emotional. It was hard saying goodbye to everyone,’ she said.
Hard to say goodbye: Sarah Roberts, whose last Home and Away episode aired on April 14, told Stellar magazine this week that she was ‘open to staying on the show’
‘I was open to staying on the show. Home And Away really did become my family and I was reluctant to say goodbye,’ she added cryptically.
‘But I had a feeling the time was up for my character and I was happy that she got a happy ending. She didn’t get killed off, so there’s always a possibility of return.’
Sarah’s comments suggested negotiations took place that didn’t result in her return to Summer Bay.
In her final episode, Sarah’s character Willow drives off into the sunset to live with her lover Dr Alex Neilson, who is played by Zoe Ventoura.
Love wins! In her final episode, Sarah’s character Willow drives off into the sunset to live with her lover Dr Alex Neilson, who is played by Zoe Ventoura (right)
The lesbian relationship storyline proved to be popular with fans of the show.
After Sarah’s final episode aired on April 14, her co-star Zoe, 40, shared a throwback picture of the pair looking cosy on set.
‘And they lived happily ever after @__sarahroberts__ @homeandaway,’ she captioned the post.
To which Sarah replied: ‘Nawwww yes they did! We got our happy ending!’
Speaking to Now To Love recently, Sarah revealed that the most difficult thing about leaving the show is being apart from her friends.
‘I feel like there are lifelong friendships and I mean, I got a husband out of this job and a beautiful step-daughter,’ she said.
Silver lining: Speaking to Now To Love recently, Sarah revealed that the most difficult thing about leaving the show is being apart from her friends. ‘I feel like there are lifelong friendships and I mean, I got a husband (James Stewart) out of this job and a beautiful step-daughter’
‘We all become like family. And you do get worried that you’re never going to see anybody again – but my husband (James Stewart) is still on the show and I’m (hanging out) with Tim Franklin now and we just went for a coffee on the beach.’
Some of Sarah’s Summer Bay family also banded together on Wednesday night for a farewell viewing party.
Among them were Sam Frost, Ditch Davey and her husband James.
Viewing party: Some of her Summer Bay family banded together on Wednesday for a farewell viewing party. Among them were Sam Frost, Tim, Zoe, Ditch Davey and her husband James Stewart
It’s been a difficult two years for Sarah, who’s endured the loss of her grandmother and brother and suffered two miscarriages with her husband by her side.
In November, Sarah told The Daily Telegraph that both James and her character Willow have been rare positives during trying times.
‘I’ve been through so much while working on the show and jumping into [Willow’s] drama was an escape from my real life at times … It’s funny that all that drama is a nice solace,’ she said.
Home and Away airs Monday-Thursday at 7pm on Channel Seven
Her saviour: In November, Sarah told The Daily Telegraph that both her partner James Stewart and the drama she portrays on screen as Willow have been two positives during trying times over the last two years