Baby joy! Rarely seen Home and Away star who moved to LA years ago for a new life welcomes her second child

Former Home and Away star Demi Harman has quietly welcomed her second child with husband Andrew Brooks, announcing the happy news from LA this week.

The Australian actress, who played Sasha Bezmel on the Channel Seven soap from 2011 to 2015 before relocating to the US, revealed she had given birth to a baby girl in a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Thursday.

Alongside the announcement, Demi posted a touching black-and-white photograph of her newborn daughter, Florence Mae Brooks, asleep and swaddled in a blanket.

The tiny tot was pictured wearing a delicate bonnet tied under her chin, her cheeks full and lips slightly parted as she rested peacefully on what appeared to be a hospital bed.

'Meet Florence Mae Brooks,' Demi wrote in the caption.

'She arrived early measuring 21.5 inches long and weighing 9lbs 10.2oz. She's sleepy, sassy and everything we wanted in our girl. Can't imagine the world without this slice of heaven!'

Home and Away star Demi Harman has quietly welcomed her second child with her husband Andrew Brooks, announcing the happy news this week

The Australian actress, who played Sasha Bezmel on the Channel Seven soap from 2011 to 2015 before relocating to the US, revealed she had given birth to a baby girl in a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Thursday

The post was quickly flooded with congratulatory messages from friends and fans, with fellow celebrities also sending their love.

The birth comes just months after Demi revealed she was expecting her second child, having announced the pregnancy back in July with a candid mirror selfie shared to her Instagram Stories.

At the time, the US-based actress posed bare-faced in maternity pants, wearing a canary yellow shirt unbuttoned over her growing baby bump.

'18 weeks,' she captioned the image, cradling her stomach and flashing a knowing smile.

She later joked about the less glamorous side of pregnancy, admitting she struggled during the first trimester.

'I couldn't look at my kitchen during the first trimester,' Demi wrote alongside a video of homemade pizza, adding she was 'excited to eat homemade food again.'

Earlier this month, Demi and Andrew revealed they were expecting a baby girl in a playful gender announcement video that quickly went viral.

Lip-syncing to the trending 'I'm a Mommy' TikTok sound, Demi lifted her top to show off her bump before captioning the clip: 'Mamacita has a daughter.'

Demi revealed she was expecting her second child back in July with a candid mirror selfie shared to her Instagram Stories 

Fans were quick to praise the announcement, with one commenting: 'This is the best pregnancy announcement I've ever seen!'

Demi and Andrew are already parents to a young son, whom they welcomed in 2023.

The couple previously announced his arrival with another black-and-white newborn photo, with Demi sharing a typically humorous caption at the time.

'Meet Beau Thomas Brooks! Coming in at 9lbs 13.5oz, 21.5 inches tall,' she wrote.

'So far he loves his snoo, his hair being brushed and farting when everyone least expects it. He is his parents' child. We are in SO much love!'

The low-key couple tied the knot in January 2022, exchanging vows during an intimate ceremony in Palm Springs, California.

Demi announced her engagement to Andrew, a Disney producer who has worked on projects including Modern Family, back in July 2019 after he proposed on the Fourth of July.

'Just said yes, FOUR-ever!' she joked at the time.

Before settling into family life in LA, Demi rose to fame in Australia as a teen star on Home and Away and was nominated for Most Popular New Female Talent at the Logies in 2012.

She was previously in a long-term relationship with her former co-star Alec Snow before making the move overseas for a fresh start.

Dannii Minogue credits 'wild-child' Home and Away role for keeping her on the straight and narrow: 'I never had the Britney moment'

 Dannii Minogue has revealed how she managed to stay grounded after finding fame at such a young age.

The singer and actress, 54, first rose to fame as an adorable ten-year-old on the iconic Australian singing show Young Talent Time.

After leaving the show in 1988, Dannii was cast in Channel Seven soap Home And Away at the age of 17.

She played the rebellious Emma Jackson on the popular soap from 1989 to 1990, and credits the role for keeping her on the straight and narrow.

Speaking to News Corp ahead of her anticipated return to acting in the Channel Ten drama, The Imposter, Dannii said she channelled her early rebelliousness into Emma's character.

'I was speaking with a friend recently and said: "I got a year of being in physical fights, throwing milkshakes over people, saying the most horrible things",' she told the publication.

Dannii Minogue has revealed how she managed to stay grounded after finding fame at such a young age.

My friend said, "That is so not you,’ and I said: "But it was really good for me to act it out because then I never had that rebellion after leaving Young Talent Time.'

Dannii added that the role kept her grounded, unlike other child stars who fall victim to the pitfalls of fame, such as Britney Spears.

'I never had the Britney Spears shaving my hair off moment,' she said.

'I never had that and I really feel that year of just being getting that out of my system was incredible.'

It comes after Dannii recently revealed that she 'wouldn't be alive' if she wasn't so mentally strong after years of 'nasty comments' and being compared to her elder sibling Kylie.  

Speaking on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast, Dannii admitted: 'I've said this to my friends: "I know that, if I wasn't mentally strong and I did have any kind of eating disorder or something, I wouldn't be alive now." That is fact. 

'It was so brutal, and it went on for years.'

And despite critics trying to create a sibling rivalry, Dannii and Kylie, 56, remain a united force.

She played the rebellious Emma Jackson on the popular soap from 1989 to 1990, and credits the role for keeping her on the straight and narrow

'I was speaking with a friend recently and said: "I got a year of being in physical fights, throwing milkshakes over people, saying the most horrible things",' she told the publication

She added: 'I was compared to my sister, who's always had a completely different body shape our entire lives.

'I wasn't living up to her body. At the time, the only body shape that was accepted was slim.

'I was a square trying to fit into a hole. You read back now how nasty the comments were.'

Dannii went on to share her priority now is spending precious time with her family and only taking on work that's 'important' to her.

She is in a relationship with music producer Adrian Newman, and said giving birth to son Ethan, 14, in 2010 changed her focus.

She explained: 'I've spent my life travelling around the world, being away, missing birthdays, weddings, funerals.

'I'm really trying to find the balance now.

'You can’t have just the happiness without everything else. If you accept there’s light and dark, it’s all part of it.'

'I never had the Britney Spears shaving my hair off moment,' she said. 'I never had that and I really feel that year of just being getting that out of my system was incredible.'

Three decades after she left acting behind, the superstar is set to return to screens in the four-part murder mystery, The Imposter. Dannii is pictured with co-stars Jackie Woodburne and Kym Marsh 

Three decades after she left acting behind, the superstar is set to return to screens in the four-part murder mystery, The Imposter. 

The Aussie star will share the screen with former Coronation Street UK favourite Kym Marsh and Neighbours legend Jackie Woodburne. 

The anticipated drama will premiere on Channel Ten on Sunday 21 December. 

Hollyoaks 17th December 2025

 

Vale Rachael Carpani – McLeod’s Daughters and Home and Away actress passes away aged 45

 Following the sad passing of Australian actress Rachael Carpani on 7th December, we take a look back at her career.

Born on 24th August 1980 in Sydney, Rachael Anna-Marie Carpani grew up on a large property near Dural in the Sydney Hills district. Some years later, the family moved to North Sydney.

Growing up, Rachael would ride motorbikes in Sydney’s north-west, but it was a chance enrolment in a drama class that piqued her interest.

“I did a drama class three days a week after school because my mum wanted me to get involved with a few extracurricular activities,” Rachael told TV Week in 2005.

“I rally only ever did dance and ballet and refused to go anywhere near sport because I’m really not sporty at all.

“She was at her wits’ end and enrolled me in a drama class—I think to just stop me annoying her in the afternoon—and I just loved it.”

Rachael was soon signed by an acting agent who spotted her in one of her classes. At 14, she was asked to audition for Home and Away, but turned it down as she was in an academic family and school always came first.

“I started going for auditions but my parents were very insistent on me concentrating on school. They wouldn’t let me go for any full-time roles,” she told TV Week.

“They never really gave me a choice, which I’m grateful for now, but at the time I really didn’t think it was fair.”

In her final year of high school, she studied drama; her marks in which landed her in the top 10 percent of the state in her HSC.

Following her graduation, Rachael enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts, Media and Cultural Studies at Macquarie University, majoring in writing. During this time, she also studied performance.

Whilst studying, she made her first appearance on Home and Away, playing an uncredited commune resident in Episode 2150.

In 2000, Rachael was cast as Emily Martin in All Saints, a young woman who had been caught in a feud between her parents and her boyfriend and caught in the crossfire when she was injured by a knife.

Later that year, she played Miranda on Home and Away, a young waitress at the Bayside Diner.

It was 2001 when Rachael received her big break. During casting of a new female-led drama series for the Nine Network, Rachael was cast on McLeod’s Daughters.

Originally auditioning for bad girl Becky Howard, Rachael believed the producers thought she looked too sweet.

When she was offered the role, Rachael’s first reaction was “are you sure you’ve got the right person?”, adding that she was over the moon to learn that Sonia Todd would be playing her mother, Meg.

Rachael deferred university, and the rest was history.

Rachael played the much-loved Jodi Fountain (later McLeod). In her character breakdown, Jodi was described as “an exuberant 17-year-old who has ambitions to be rich and famous.”

The daughter of housekeeper Meg, Jodi had just finished high school and was looking at every option, but resigned to working on the farm until she knew what she wanted to do.

The breakdown added, “Jodi thinks working on Drover’s Run will be a real drag but what she will learn is love, loyalty and a lot about who she really is… even if she doesn’t become famous for a week or two.”

The character of Jodi ended up staying on Drovers Run for the next seven years. It was in the series’ third season that Rachael’s acting abilities were awarded with an outback wedding.

We wanted to do Rachael proud, she is one of the most wonderful people to work with, a true professional who never complains,” executive producer Susan Bower said of Rachael’s efforts at the time.

Speaking of her time on McLeod’s Daughters in 2004, Rachael told news.com.au “I feel a lot more confident with the role now. I was absolutely terrified for probably the whole first series and it wasn’t until after series two that I actually relaxed.”

The series not only made Rachael a household name in Australia and 194 countries around the world, but also saw her become the first break-out star when she was cast alongside Delta Goodrem in Hating Alison Ashley.

Following Bridie Carter’s departure from McLeod’s Daughters as Tess McLeod in 2006, Rachael took top billing alongside Simmone Jade Mackinnon, who played fiery Stevie Hall.

In May 2006, Rachael’s departure from McLeod’s Daughters was announced, with the actress signing on for a small part in the series’ seventh season to tie up her character’s arc.

Onscreen, determined to be with her long-term love interest Rob (Jonny Pasvolsky), Jodi agreed to go into witness protection, using a car bombing as a cover to begin a new life together.

However, when the series finished, Rachael reprised her role for one episode, revealing she and Rob were able to begin their lives again outside of police protection.

It was her final year on the show that also saw Rachael nominated not only for Most Popular Actress at the 2007 Logies, but also the Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality on Australian Television.

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Following her time on McLeod’s, Rachael took to the US and landed a role in a pilot, Law Dogs, opposite Janeane Garofalo in a legal drama. Speaking of her success was McLeod’s Daughters executive producer Karl Zwicky who touted the series’ best wishes to the Sydney Morning Herald in January 2007.

“She started as a very green actress with a lot of natural talent who has evolved into a consummate professional and a great character on the show.”

Whilst in the US, with then-partner and former McLeod’s co-star Matt Passmore, Rachael had a stint on crime drama The Glades.

She made appearances on several other series including NCIS: Los Angeles and Stalker. However, her most notable role was as series lead Chicago police officer Abby Kowalski on Against the Wall, a short-lived Lifetime drama series.

It was four years later in 2015 that she was cast as lead character Cathy Dollanganger in the Lifetime movies, If There Be Thorns and Seeds of Yesterday, the third and fourth instalments of the network’s adaptation of VC Andrews’ infamous book series Flowers in the Attic.

Over the next nine years, Rachael made several appearances in film and television, including Seven Network series 800 Words, and in 2024, appeared on Home and Away as Claudia Salini, a customer of Justin’s (James Stewart), who drove a wedge between him and his new wife, Leah (Ada Nicodemou).

Outside of television, Rachael was an active social media personality, often engaging with fans all around the world. Rachael used her platform to discuss issues facing women, such as endometriosis, an illness she battled with for some time, as well as domestic violence.

On a personal level, Rachael was an advocate of a dear friend Harrison James’ advocacy for child abuse survivors.

From a fan perspective, Rachael was generous with her time and more than happy to talk to her fans. Upon another friend Nicola finishing McLeod’s Daughters, Rachael sent a 15 minute long Cameo, talking about her time on the series, exuding warmth, vibrancy and genuine care for those who cared for her.

On 15th December 2025, Rachael’s sister Georgia shared the sad news of Rachael’s passing on her Instagram account.

“It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness, in the early hours of Sunday 7th December,” Georgia’s post read.

“The funeral will be a private event, to be held on Friday 19th December with close family and friends. The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements.”

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In the proceeding 24 hours, there has been an outpouring of grief for Rachael’s passing, and love for her family, including from several of Rachael’s former co-stars.

Bridie Carter posted on Instagram, “Rest In Peace our beautiful girl….the “baby” of our MD family…. We love you, we cherish you…..”.

Matt Passmore, who played Marcus on McLeod’s Daughters, echoed Bridie’s sentiments: “Farewell my friend All the love i have to the Carpanis, friends and family. The greatest gift you gave was knowing you”.

Marisa Ramirez, who played opposite Rachael in Against the Wall, posted, “Another gem, an actual unicorn taken from us away too soon. Rest in peace to my first partner in solving crime @rachcarpani“.

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My heart is like a river, my heart is like these hills,

They never change, I never change and I never will.

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Vale, Rachael. You will be missed.

Rachael Carpani's celebrity friends pay tribute to the McLeod's Daughters star following her shock death aged 45: 'Ray of sunshine'

 Rachael Carpani's famous friends have shared heartfelt tributes to the Australian actress following her shock death last week aged 45.

The soap star's family confirmed she died 'unexpectedly but peacefully' on December 7. 

Her former co-stars and A-list pals remembered Rachael as a 'huge-hearted ray of sunshine'.

'What sad news. Bless you Rachael... a class above in every way,' wrote her Scorched co-star Cameron Daddo.

'The world has lost the endlessly huge-hearted beautiful Rachael Carpani. My friendship with Rachael in Los Angeles and beyond will remain etched in my heart as one of my most significant,' added Australian actress Sarah Doyle.

'Heart breaking. Rest in peace lovely xxx,' Neighbours star Esther Anderson chimed in. 

Rachael Carpani's famous friends have shared heartfelt tributes to the Australian actress following her shock death last week aged 45 

Cannot believe it. A complete ray of sunshine,' Wolf Like Me actress Emma Lung wrote.  

Earlier this week, Bridie Carter, who played Tess Silverman McLeod on the Australian drama series, took to social media to honour the 'baby of our McLeod's Daughters family', saying she will be missed by friends and fans across the globe.

'We love you, we cherish you. We are better people for having the privilege of sharing time with you,' Bridie added.

'We know Rach will not only be missed immeasurably by her family, by us, but she is loved and will be missed by you all, around the world.

'We love you Carpani. We miss you Rach. May your blessed spirit, so vivid, so full of life, laughter, joy, generosity, unique talent, energy, fervour, intelligence, resilience, courage and great humour, and a gentle humility, may you rest in peace.'

Bridie concluded her post by offering prayers for Rachael's family.

Taking to his social media on Tuesday, Rachael's ex Matt Passmore, 51, shared a photo of Rachael and added a brief caption.

'Farewell, my friend. All the love I have to the Carpanis, friends and family. The greatest gift you gave was knowing you,' he said.

Rachael is best known for her role as Jodi Fountain in the hit series McLeod's Daughters between 2001 and 2009 

Rachael and Matt enjoyed a long romance after first meeting on the set of McLeod's Daughters in 2006. They split in 2011.

Rachael's death was confirmed by her family earlier this week in a social media statement.

'It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness,' her parents wrote on social media.

The family went on to reveal the funeral plans, adding that it will be a 'private event'.

'The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements,' they added.

Rachael is best known for her role as Jodi Fountain in the hit series McLeod's Daughters between 2001 and 2009.

In 2007, she was nominated for the Silver Logie for most popular actress and the biggest award, the Gold Logie. 

She appeared in several films, including titles such as The Very Excellent Mr Dundee, Hating Alison Ashley and The Way Back.

Earlier this week, Bridie Carter, who played Tess Silverman McLeod on the Australian drama series, took to social media to honour the 'baby of our McLeod's Daughters family', saying she will be missed by friends and fans across the globe ..

Her latest project was last year, playing a recurring role in Aussie soap opera Home and Away as the villainous Claudia Salini. 

Rachael concerned fans in 2021 after acute abdominal pain saw her rushed to hospital, where she said she 'spent a few days in the ICU'. 

'Was then moved to the surgical ward,' she said.

'Basically it was a case of me not listening to my body and the pain (I tend to work through pain!) and allowing myself to get quite ill.'

'Yet again, another lesson, especially to women who tend to ignore their own care because "there's no time" or more important things or people to look after, to stop and listen to what your body is trying to tell you.'

Rachael also revealed she had spent Valentine's Day in hospital and shared a photo of herself sitting in her hospital bed and holding a bouquet.

Home and Away star Josh Lawson 'engaged' to former The Project staffer

 Reports have surfaced that Australian actor Josh Lawson is now engaged to his girlfriend, Sharyn Hart.

The publicity-shy former Home and Away star, 44, and Sharyn are said to be 'old flames' and have been dating for some time.

Sharyn, a talent manager, recently lost a gig as a guest liaison at The Project after the long-running panel show was axed in June this year.

According to the Herald Sun, Josh recently proposed to Sharyn.

The happy couple, based in Sydney, have yet to confirm details of their romance and the engagement on social media.

Best known for his long-running role in the US comedy-drama House of Lies, Josh also had a prominent part in Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues...

Reports have surfaced that Australian actor Josh Lawson (pictured) is now engaged to his girlfriend, Sharyn Hart. According to the Herald Sun, Josh recently proposed to Sharyn.

The publicity-shy former Home and Awaystar, 44, and Sharyn are said to be 'old flames' and have been dating for some time. The happy couple, based in Sydney, have yet to confirm details of their romance and the engagement on social media. Pictured: Sharyn Hart

Josh also had a prominent part as villain Kano in Mortal Kombat and the forthcoming Mortal Kombat II.

Sharyn, who was once linked to AFL legend Jimmy Bartel, back in 2019, later denied they were romantically involved, the footy star split from his wife Nadia.

Then a producer at Network Ten's The Project, Sharyn, was rumoured to be one of several women in a 'close friendship' with Bartel after his marriage breakup.

But Hart told Daily Mail the claims she was in a relationship with the Geelong Cats superstar were 'factually incorrect'.

The pair's friendship is believed to have begun on Before the Game, a now defunct AFL talk program on Network Ten.

At the time of the show, Jimmy was still in the midst of his successful AFL career which included three premierships, a Brownlow Medal and a Norm Smith medal.

 Hart - a mother-of-one - went on to be a producer for The Project and also on the Ten network's hit reality show, I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!

Josh made headlines back in 2012 when he began dating actress Rachael Taylor, after the pair co-starred in the Aussie comedy Any Questions for Ben?

Pictured: Josh far left in a scene from the US TV hit House of Lies

Not long after, he was also seen keeping company with model Emily Gillies.

Back in 2021, Josh talked frankly about his career and his decision to return to Australia after working in the US.

In a revealing chat, the former soapie star said his dreams of becoming a Hollywood leading man will likely never come to fruition, with the likes of Chris Hemsworth and Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson setting 'the bar so high'.

Josh told The Daily Telegraph: 'Now, leading men are The Rock and Jason Statham and Chris Hemsworth, who is like a genetic freak in a way. He is so good looking it is just crazy.

'There are these people who are so attractive that the bar is so high now I don't even want to play the game. I will leave that to the beautiful people.'

Josh said that the older gets, the more he avoids roles that require good looks, as this no longer makes him happy.

|| Neighbours legend Jackie Woodburne returns to TV tonight - just four days after soap ended for good

 "A completely different role… but the same powerhouse talent."

Neighbors legend Jackie Woodburne is returning to TV this evening, fair four days after the cleanser finished for great. The on-screen character, who played Susan Kennedy for over 30 a long time, is presently driving the Channel 5 show The Imposter.

Set in Australia, the arrangement takes after authority Helen (Woodburne), who runs a ocean side lodging with her three grown-up children. When Helen chooses against offering the trade, a colossal quarrel emits inside her family..



Meanwhile, newcomer Amanda (Kym Bog) includes to the chaos by claiming she's the mystery girl that Helen gave up for selection numerous a long time prior. Helen is pleased to rejoined with her child, but is Amanda who she says she is?

The four-part show, which moreover stars Dannii Minogue, is set to start this evening (15 December) at 9pm on Channel 5, with modern scenes airing each day until Thursday's finale (18 December).


A newly-released trailer for The Faker highlights an nearly unrecognsiable Woodburne, as her character battles to keep her family and commerce running. Whereas Helen and Amanda frame a quick bond, it's clear that the rest of the clan aren't as inviting.

Our very own Jackie Woodburne returns to screens tonight in The Imposter - a gripping new four-part drama on Channel 5. A completely different role… but the same powerhouse talent we've loved for decades as Susan Kennedy."

Susan Kennedy first arrived in Erinsborough in 1994 and became the second longest-running character in the show's history. Her husband Karl (played by Alan Fletcher) is the longest-running character, having appeared just nine episodes prior.

After more than three decades on Ramsay Street, Susan was a key part of the Neighbours finale. In the show's last scenes, she delivered a moving and hopeful monologue before vowing not to give up on her beloved community.