Home and Away John Palmer star’s life - co-star wife to living on a luxury yacht
Home and Away actor Shane Withington has played lifeguard John Palmer since 2009, and quickly became a fan-favourite character during his tenure on the Channel 5 soap
Shane Withington is best known for his role of surf lifeguard John Palmer in Home and Away.
The 63-year-old Aussie actor has been a firm favourite with Summer Bay fans since joining the Channel 5 show back in 2009.
Despite being given a 12 week stint on the programme, show bosses went on to extend his contract.
Shane Withington is best known for his role of surf lifeguard John Palmer in Home and Away.
The 63-year-old Aussie actor has been a firm favourite with Summer Bay fans since joining the Channel 5 show back in 2009.
Despite being given a 12 week stint on the programme, show bosses went on to extend his contract.
While his wife in Home and Away is Marilyn Chambers, Shane is actually married to his former co-star Anne Tenney.
The married pair first met on the hit 80s Australian soap opera A Country Practice, where they played on-screen couple Brendan and Molly Jones.
At the time, Shane and Anne decided to keep their relationship a secret whilst filming over fears of "cheapening" their love.
Speaking to Starts at 60, the actor explained: "We kept it under our hats, no one really knew.
"We didn’t want the media to get a hold of it. We kept it a secret for years, we didn’t want to cheapen our relationship by doing a magazine cover saying 'we found love on a soap opera!'"
He added: "We valued our relationship more than that, it’s a private thing and we’ve kept it that way ever since."
In fact, Shane and Anne's on-screen daughter, Emily Nicol, was even oblivious to their romance..
She told "There was a close bond with both of my on-screen parents.
"Both Shane and Anne are the loveliest of people and most of my scenes were of course with them and in their care."
Anne left the show in 1985 after her character tragically died from leukaemia - a scene which was viewers by around 2.2 million people.
Speaking about his wife's final scenes, Shane said: "If I’d known that the death scene was going to end up being the highest rated moment in the history of Australian TV, and that I’d still be watching it every year 40 years later, I would have put a bit more effort in. I would have done my hair!"
The actor made his departure the following year after playing character Brendan for six years.
Yacht live
When he's not busy on the Aussie soap, Shane is a keen sailor.
The soap star - who was born in Queensland - often travels to work on his stunning 31ft Beneteau sailing yacht.
As well as all the sailing essentials, the yacht also has a spacious cabin below deck.
During an interview with he said: "Well, I sail to work – that’s one thing I really like!
"I’m one of the few people, I think, in Australia who can get up in the morning and jump on to his little boat and tootle up the bay and go to work and then sail home in the afternoon."
The star is also known for catching a fish for dinner on the way home.
Activist work
Shane has always maintained an active role as a heritage activist.
The star was previously twice nominated for Australian of the year and became Citizen of the year for his 15 year campaign to save the Nationally Heritage listed Currawong Beach workers retreat.
He first showed an interest as a youngster.
Shane revealed: "I’m a heritage activist. I’ve always, since I was a boy, placed a high value on preserving our historic buildings and our historic sites."
Shane's other roles
Shane has appeared in some of Australia’s most successful television series over the last three decades.
The star initially became a household name after landing the role of Brendan in A Country Practice.
He appeared on the hit programme between 1981-1986.
Shane's other acting credits include lead roles in Willing and Able, The Flying Doctors, The Family Business, Roys’ Raiders (BBC Production), Water Rats, David Williamsons’ Dogs Head Bay and All Saints.
Nowadays, the actor is perfectly happy with the role of John Palmer in Summer Bay.
Speaking about his time on the soap, Shane said: "I was invited onto Home and Away for 12 weeks and I’ve ended up staying 10 years. So, the moral of the story is: don’t ask me for dinner – I’ll never go home! But I had no idea it would be such a long and, I must say, wonderfully enjoyable run.
"It’s like therapy playing John Palmer – he’s wonderful. And doing light comedy is what I like the most – I love it to pieces."
Watch Home and Away at 6.30pm on 5STAR.
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