Well it’s time to say goodbye to Hayley or The Hayleys...Bec and Ella.

To think everyone was asking 'How is Home and Away going to survive when Bec Cartwright leaves? How can anyone replace the adored Hayley Lawson character?'

These were the questions on everyone's lips when news that a replacement for Bec Cartwright had been chosen several weeks before Bec was due to leave the series this year. After all, the blonde Hayley had been seen by fans every night for the past seven years!

But there was no need to worry. The transition from Bec Cartwright to Ella Scott Lynch as the new Hayley has been a resounding success. Ella stepped straight into the pregnant Hayley’s shoes and she just happens to have the same warmth and sweet nature of the former Hayley.

A few months ago, Bec set her alarm clock for the last time and drove through the Channel 7 boom gates for the last time.

"It still didn't feel real , I had only really started to think about it the day before and because those last five weeks had been so frantically busy, I didn’t have the chance to think about the fact that I was actually leaving Home and Away" Bec said.

"What had been the highlights of those years working on Home and Away? Bec said there were many different ones:"To see the same familiar friendly faces every day was a bonus; to have breakfast and watch the sunrise at Palm Beach was special and to do the action scenes I got to do was fun. I loved the racing car scene with Ryan Clarke and Zac Drayson, we did 280 km/hour. They asked if I wanted a stunt double, and I said, 'No way, I'll do it!'".

"Storywise I feel that I tackled the best and got my best performance out of Noah's death (Hayley’s husband) and the funeral storyline. Jeffrey Noates, the director was just fantastic and really brought out the best in me."

"And through Home and Away, I got to play in the Starlight Cup and meet Lleyton – so that’s been the biggest bonus of all!" Bec laughed.

When Bec and Ella Scott Lynch met for the first time, Bec thought she was the perfect choice."Ella’s a great actor," Bec said "and the audience will just believe her and forget that she’s even replacing me. She has a great energy and I know she’ll do a great job."

Ella Scott Lynch was surprised herself when chosen to replace Bec as she is a red head, and the audition room had been full of blonde girls all with that beach babe look!

When told she had the role, she thought she’d maybe have to dye her red hair blonde, but the producers were happy to have the new Hayley stay as sweet as she is - with her pale skin and red hair.

"It’s great working with Chris (Hemsworth) and Kip (Gamblin)," says Ella. "They have been absolutely great to me, and I’m having a ball. Chris and Kip always strive to be better in their work, and that’s inspiring. Everyone is equal here on Home and Away – there are no big egos!"

Coincidentally, the former Hayley, Bec is also expecting a baby. Recently married to tennis star Lleyton Hewitt, Bec begins her new role as wife and mother as Summer Bay favourites Hayley and Scott (with baby Noah) leave the series to live in France.

Goodbye Hayley...you'll be missed!"