Tim Campbell (Dan Baker) filmed his final scene with Home and Away last week.

In an emotional farewell Tim was presented with a beautiful collage of pictures and a bottle of the best bubbly. Cast and crew gathered around as Series Producer Cameron Welsh said "We understand this is a good opportunity for you to move on. We have loved having you on Home And Away and I have always loved working with you. Your great sense of humour and energy is a real breath of fresh air. I would work with you again in a heartbeat, you are such a versatile and talented performer."

During his time with Home and Away, Tim was also a host on Sydney Weekender, reached the finals in Dancing With the Stars and was a regular contributor to Carols in the Domain.

Overcome with emotion and gratitude Tim struggled to say "This has been an incredible job for me and it has been a fantastic three and half years of my life, I have never come across bad cast or crew and I have really had a ball. Thank you to Channel Seven for allowing me to haul myself into anything going" he laughed.

Then Tim turned his attention to his onscreen wife Leah. “Ada is such a mate, such an incredible actor and person, I always felt my job was half done working with you.”

Ada responded “You are all class” she looks around the room “I have never seen so many people come in to say goodbye. You are professional but don’t take yourself too seriously, we are going to miss you."

I asked Tim if he had been expecting such a surge of emotion.

”No, I’ve been so busy preparing for these other shows, reality started to hit home when I filmed ‘The leaving the house scene’ and I thought that’s a bit sad and then this morning I was busy as I’m getting ready to jump on a plane this afternoon to Tasmania. I thought it was going to hit me sometime during the day then I listened to the speech (by Cameron Welsh) and it was oh oh it’s happening now”.

You could certainly feel the love in the room.

Oh god it was beautiful, look I really mean it, it has been a really fantastic three and half years of my life, even beyond the professional aspect, the social atmosphere is incredible with the fantastic people I get to work with everyday, apart from the fact that I am doing what I love anyway.

Tim reflected on some of the highlights over the years.

“I had a lot of fun with the wedding I think because it was a little more casual. They had the parents come in fighting, so that was a bit light and funny. I loved the singing, when Dan sang to Leah, as nerve wracking as it was to sing in front of everyone with a little karaoke box” he laughed. “I really enjoyed the gambling storyline, that was a challenge and I did a bit of research for that and it was something different. I loved that I was paired up with Ada, I really mean that..we clicked straight away and said ‘yep I get you and you get me’ and just had a lot of fun with it.”

You will stay in touch then?

”Yes for sure, I know Chris (Ada’s husband) really well and knew when they were first getting together and then getting married and I MC’d at their wedding.”

Will you miss Home and Away?

“Over the years I have worked with many ensembles, but this is a really long period to spend with one bunch of people. Home and Away does consume your life because of the nature of the show, so it’s a big one to step away from...and you never will. I am sure people will still call me Dan for another year or so in the streets.”..he laughed ”Either that or they will be yelling out ‘Bingo.’ I’ve already filmed that (National Bingo Night will be on-air on October 21st,) so now I’m Eddie McGuire, then I head over to Perth to start rehearsals for Rent, so I’ll be doing that until the start of December, then I head straight back to Melbourne and start rehearsals for Shout, which will mean two months in Melbourne and two months in Sydney.” (Tim plays Johnny O’Keefe)

”It’s an incredible role, it’s a huge role and an amazing life. It’s good fun rock and roll with all the music from the 50’s and 60’s, and it’s so easy to get up and dance. He was kind of the wild one” Tim explains “He just wanted to get up and entertain and I guess that’s similar to what I do, I’m not an opera singer but I love getting the crowds revved up. He’s a pretty dark character as well so it’s a good acting role too.”

You have a been a great support to the website and have always been willing to have fun with the Behind the Scenes videos (see Favourite Weddings and Bonfire Madness) and give interviews, which the fans really appreciate. Have you got a message for them?

”I really want to thank the fans for their support. I get a lot of messages and people are really supportive of Home and Away. The website makes it’s easier to hear their voices, so I jump on the site and have a look at what people are saying. Without an audience we can’t do what we do, so thank you everyone.”

So with a smile and a hug (he gives great hugs) Tim headed off to start his next adventure.

If you want to keep track of his career, visit Tim’s own website www.timcampbell.com.au which also has a link to his ‘myspace’ page.

We wish him every success for the future.

Interview by Tania Seager