He’s been celebrating the success of a lucrative business deal and counting down the sleeps until he heads off on a dream Italian holiday with his wife Maggie (Kestie Morassi).
In fact, life seems just about perfect for Home and Away‘s affable Ben Astoni (Rohan Nichol).
Until now, that is!
WATCH a sneak peek of what’s coming up on Home and Away here!
In a development the Summer Bay dad – nor Australian TV viewers – could never have seen coming, he is placed under arrest – but what has he done?
It’s safe to say, too, that Maggie, Ziggy (Sophie Dillman) and Dean (Patrick O’Connor) are also shocked beyond belief as an incredulous Ben is taken to the police station.
“Dean’s completely horrified,” says Patrick.
“He works for Ben and really likes him, and also worries that he’ll be placed under suspicion, too.”
Is Ben innocent or has he done something wrong?
In other Home and Away news, rumours have been swirling that the Channel Seven soap is set to be axed.
Now New Idea can exclusively confirm the rumours are categorically untrue, with a Seven Network spokesperson telling us: ‘These reports are complete rubbish’.
So there you have it!
The false axing rumours were given a power-boost over the weekend by a string of inflammatory headlines in the UK press, which led to worried fans deluging social media with questions.
Star Lynne McGranger, who plays Irene Roberts on the show, tried to calm fans when confronted with the claims that Summer Bay was soon to be no more.
‘NO!!! Ok getting s****y now!! To my knowledge this is [horse poo],’ she wrote. ‘Enough already. We are not going anywhere.
‘I turn up to work. People film me. I get paid. Pretty sure that means the show will keep going to air. AND we’re 5-6 months ahead with the filming.’
The fictional axing allegations appear to have their roots in very different claims by TV industry gossip blog TV Blackbox, which speculated there might be changes ahead in the way the show is delivered, including suggestions that future episodes may first be first shown on streaming, or via a digital channel.
There were even claims of a possible later time slot, allowing more adult-oriented storylines.
But such speculation aside, right now there are no signs the much-loved and highly lucrative Australian soap is going anywhere.
Still one of Australia’s highest rated dramas, Home and Away, which famously stars Ray Meagher as Alf Stewart, is also shown around the world, with a particularly huge following in the UK – where it is shown on Channel 5.
So, if you’re in any doubt, here is it one more time: Home and Away is definitely NOT getting axed.
WATCH: Home & Away: Bella’s unexpected guest
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