'Why I'm leaving THE BAY' - GEORGIE PARKER

IT'S TIME FOR A FRESH START AND AN EXCITING NEW ROLE FOR THE BELOVED ACTRESS

Georgie Parker has caught Home and Away fans and her castmates -by surprise with the sad news she's making a sudden exit from the long-running Aussie soap.

Having played Ruth 'Roo' Stewart since 2010, the actress will disappear from our screens in August to take an extended break.

Georgie's quick exit comes at a tumultuous period for the close-knit Summer Bay family, who only just said farewell co-stars Sophie Dillman and Patrick O'Connor (aka Ziggy and Dean).

While there wasn't a dry eye on the set the day that Georgie, 58, shared her big news, it was Ray Meagher who was understandably hit the hardest.

Ray plays Georgie's on-screen father Alf Stewart, and the pair have forged a close friendship off-screen too.

"We're both very, very blessed to have the sort of working relationship that we do," Ray, 78, has gushed of Georgie.