It was a sad day in Summer Bay this week when fan favourites Maggie (Kestie Morassi) and Ben (Rohan Nichol) said their final farewells.
WATCH: Home and Away’s Sophie Dillman shares video of on-screen dad Rohan Nichol dancing
And as their departure finally played out on air on Home and Away, their co-stars took to social media to praise the actors.
Following their exit, Sophie Dillman, who plays the pair’s on-screen daughter Ziggy, posted a particularly touching tribute.
Taking to Instagram, the 27-year-old shared a carousel of behind-the-scenes images of Kestie and Rohan throughout their time on the long-running soap.
“My two favourite fake parents ever. I love you and miss you,” Sophie captioned the post.
“Thank you for teaching me and loving me and putting up with me in the early mornings. Don’t forget me when you’re famous…. again. Love Ziggy xxx”
And it seems the affection is mutual, with both Kestie and Rohan responding in the comments.
“Bubby I love you. I miss you. I hug you. I kiss you,” Kestie wrote, while Rohan added: “Pickle you diamond. I miss your darling face and lion heart. The best of times. X”
Another Home and Away co-star, Penny McNamee also shared heartfelt words to the pair over on her own Instagram account.
“Two extraordinary actors and two of my great friends. Thank you @kestiemorassi and @rohannichol for the many laughs, the excellent chats and for sharing your gifts with all of us,” Penny wrote.
Ahead of Maggie and Ben saying their goodbyes to embark on a new adventure in Italy together, Kestie spoke of her hopes for the Summer Bay couple.
“I like to believe Maggie and Ben are going to be able to work through any issues they have and grow old together,” Kestie told New Idea of their characters’ exit. “It’s what they’ve always imagined for their future.”
Kestie said she’ll leave with fond memories of her years on the drama, as well as lifelong friendships.
“I expected it to be wonderful and exciting, but I didn’t expect to fall so deeply in love with the people I worked with,” she said.
“I can’t tell you the joy this job has brought me.”
