TV

Home And Away has an official return date after being replaced with COVID-19 coverage

Happy news alert! We're heading back to the Bay.
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Good news is what we need right now, and thankfully Home And Away has delivered.

After the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic saw the show pulled from Channel Seven so it could use the peak time slot to cover the outbreak, it has today announced it will be returning – and soon.

Star of the soap Lynne McGranger, who plays Irene, took to Instagram to confirm the return date.

The Home And Away cast will be back on our screens soon.

(Image: Instagram / @adanicodemou)

“Hope you’re keeping well and busy and staying at home and staying safe. I just wanted to let you know, I have it on good authority that Home and Away will be back on air on Monday, April 13th. I’m excited, I hope you are too,” Lynne said in the Instagram video, which was posted on Home and Away‘s official account.

Home and Away returns to your screens on Monday, 13th April,” the accompanying post explained.

It will resume its usual scheduling running Monday to Thursday nights on Seven.

The program was originally pulled, upsetting fans, to be replaced by special coverage of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Home And Away will be off air from tonight while 7NEWS keeps the nation informed with The Latest, nightly at 7pm,” a statement on their Instagram page read.

Production of the show was also stopped, and remains so until it is deemed safe to do so amid the pandemic.

The spokesperson confirmed that no cast or crew had tested positive to COVID-19, however the decision was made as “logistical hurdles” increased.

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Just days before, the cast shared photos rehearsing via video call, practicing self-isolation and social distancing.

Emily Symons, who plays Marilyn on the show, shared a screen grab of a seven-way video call with some of her crew and cast members, including Lukas Radovich, Georgie Parker and Cameron Daddo.

While Penny McNamee, who plays Tori shared a photo of herself on a video call with fellow cast Sam Frost, Lynne McGranger, Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart.

Emily shared a sneak peek into their new rehearsals.

(Image: Instagram / @emilysymons_)

With production remaining at a standstill fans have speculated how far in advance the show is filmed, and just how many episodes are in reserve before an issue would arise.

Online speculation suggests six months, while other devout Home and Away fans believe it is just 15 weeks.

Now To Love have reached out Channel Seven for comment but are yet to receive a response.

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