Home and Away cast photo gives away two more departing characters

They'll be joining Kawakawa Fox-Reo.

Home and Away appears to have confirmed two more departing characters.

Last month, it was revealed that Kawakawa Fox-Reo would be departing Summer Bay as Nikau Parata, and now it appears he will be joined by two others.

Star Lynne McGranger posted a photo that teases the cast for the next season, with actors Sophie Dillman and Patrick O'Connor notably absent from the picture – thus confirming that Ziggy Astoni and Dean Thompson will be leaving.

Lynne later said in the comments that the pair filmed their last scenes in "July, August", much to the sadness of fans.

"Heartbroken that dean & ziggy have left," one wrote, while another added: "Sad to see the characters of Ziggy and Dean leaving."

Elsewhere, former Home and Away star Johnny Ruffo has discussed a possible return to the show as Chris Harrington after his departure in 2016.

"I’d love to go back on Home and Away [and] spend some more time with Irene [Roberts]," he told Yahoo.

"We had a great relationship on [the show] and we still have a great relationship out of Home and Away, Lynne and I. We are really good friends."

Speaking about how he could come back, Johnny added: "[I'd] just waltz in, like not tell anyone, just waltz on in and order a coffee. And Lynne — I mean Irene — would be like…Chris!"

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.45pm on Channel 5 and 6pm on 5STAR. First-look screenings air at 6.30pm on 5STAR and the show also streams on My5.