Home and Away star Sarah Roberts reveals why her popular character Willow is saying goodbye to Summer Bay
Sarah Roberts has played Willow on Home And Away for almost five years.
But in an interview with Digital Spy, the 35-year-old actress has revealed why her character is temporarily saying goodbye to Summer Bay.
At the end of last season, Willow chose to leave the fictional town following a huge backlash over her testifying against Colby Thorne (Tim Franklin) in court.
Bye, bye Summer Bay: Sarah Roberts has played Willow on Home And Away for almost five years, but in an interview with Digital Spy, the 35-year-old actress has revealed why her character is temporarily saying goodbye to Summer Bay
After Willow was exposed as the mysterious Witness X, who provided a damning statement against Colby, she went on to record him confessing to Ross Nixon’s murder and gave evidence against him in court.
Although her heart was in the right place, Willow’s whistle-blowing ways upset Colby’s sister Bella Nixon (Courtney Miller) and friend Dean Thompson (Patrick O’Connor).
‘Dean and Bella cannot find it within themselves to forgive or even comprehend what Willow has done. To them, Willow was like a sister and she has torn their family apart,’ Sarah explained to Digital Spy.
‘Willow decided to leave the Bay in the aftermath because Dean and Bella ostracised her and couldn’t find it within themselves to forgive her or even listen to what she has to say.
‘This is huge for Willow. She has always been so loyal when it comes to family.’
Oh dear: Willow left after she was exposed as the mysterious Witness X, who provided a damning statement against Colby, she went on to record him confessing to Ross Nixon’s murder and gave evidence against him in court
Willow has not been on screen for while, however a producer told TV Week that fans should expect to see her again as her absence from the popular TV show is not permanent.
‘While she thought she was doing the right thing in saving Dean from going down for Colby’s mistake, she will return to try to make things right,’ Producer Lucy Addario told the publication.
Over the past two years, in her personal life, Sarah has endured the loss of her grandmother and brother and suffered two miscarriages with her husband James Stewart by her side.
In November, Sarah told The Daily Telegraph that both her partner and the drama she portrays on screen as Willow have been two positives she’s focused on during trying times.
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 she’s focused on during trying times, including the loss of her grandmother and brother and two miscarriages
‘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.’
‘I’ve had a lot that’s happened to me over the past two years. I’ve experienced a lot of grief and I’ve learnt a lot about myself.’
‘And you just have to keep on going. Because the world keeps moving, and sometimes the only way through things is to keep picking yourself up off the ground and keep continuing on. Even if it’s hard.’
Home and Away returns on February 1 on Channel Seven