“I’m in denial” – Home and Away’s Stephanie Panozzo shares heartbreaking farewell after co-star’s exit
Home and Away’s Stephanie Panozzo has shared a heartbreaking farewell after her co-star Angelina Thomson left the soap.
Thomson’s character Kirby Aramoana departed the Australian soap earlier this month after a storyline which saw her and Panozzo’s character, Eden Fowler, join forces to protest a marketing campaign.
The campaign saw Kirby’s figure and skin tone altered, with the two friends setting out to hold the agency that to account. Their efforts resulted in a formal apology from the agency and left Kirby finding closure from the difficult incident and ready to pursue a new path.
Sharing a photo of her and Thomson during filming, Panozzo shared an emotional goodbye to her friend and castmate, beginning by saying that she had “delayed” the farewell message for as long as possible.
“I think I’m in denial,” she wrote on Instagram. “My beautiful Angie girl said goodbye to the shores of summer bay last week on our screens and I couldn’t be more sad… but also more grateful to have walked, sung and danced this journey with her!”
She continued: “I am truly so grateful for having met you! You are an incredible person, and wise woman, a fiercely intelligent, powerhouse force. I feel very blessed that I get to call you my dear dear friend.
“Eden and Kirby will forever live in my heart and I truly believe that this friendship transcended on screens because it was [our] love, joy and happiness behind it. Love you forever. Go shine bright beauty, the world is so damn lucky to witness your magnificence.”
Thomson, who joined the soap in 2022, was similarly emotional at her departure, replying: “THIS IS TOO MUCH!!! I love you so so much my Stephy girl!!! I literally couldn’t have done it without you!!
“I am so forever blessed by your sunshine and friendship and am so thankful that Homey made our paths intertwine!! I will forever be the Kirby to your Eden!! I love you so so much bestie!!”
Thomson’s departure from the soap was rumoured after she announced in January that she was returning to musical theatre to star in a new production of Guys & Dolls.
