The 12th season of Home and Away began airing on 11 January 1999[1] The first introduction of the year was Nick Smith, played by Matt Juarez in March.
Anna Hruby and Stephen James King joined the cast as acting principal Judith Ackroyd and her son, Edward Dunglass, respectively in October.
Producers granted Welsh a six-week break but decided to hire Mitchell McMahon to play Mitch in his absence.
Welsh said it felt "weird" seeing another actor playing Mitch but as he was involved in a "big storyline" at the time, producers were left with no other option.
[7] In 2005, Welsh filmed a cameo for the serial's 4000th episode, which saw Mitch return for Alf Stewart's (Ray Meagher) birthday.
Cox won the extended guest role of Bianca shortly after she finished filming on fellow serial drama Heartbreak High, and was surprised that she would be appearing in two shows at the same time.
[15] An Inside Soap writer commented, "The moment Bianca steps into the Summer Bay Diner, it's clear she's trouble.
"[15] Bianca is a model and actress, who is keen to get the lead role in the film adaptation of Alan Fisher's (Simon Bossell) 1989 novel On the Crest of a Wave.
[15] She arrives in Summer Bay ahead of filming and befriends Jesse McGregor (Ben Unwin), in the hope of gaining some inside information about the role.
Jesse is "besotted" by Bianca, and Unwin said that his character cannot see her bad side, as he is looking for a partner and mother figure for his daughter.
[15] Shauna Bradley, played by Kylie Watson, made her first screen appearance during the episode broadcast on 16 August 1999 and departed in July 2002.
[18] Karman Kregloe of AfterEllen called Shauna "sassy", while The People's Sharon Marshall branded her "feisty".
[21] A writer for Inside Soap commented that Shauna's relationship with Harry had "more ups and downs than a kangaroo on a trampoline.
Prior to joining the serial, Melvey's career involved modelling, studying and improving his acting skills.
Prior to starring in Home and Away, Hruby had previously played Paddy Lawson on Prisoner Cell Block H.[29] Commenting on the demise of Judith's relationship with Joel Nash (David Woodley), Jackie Brygel of the Herald Sun quipped "Gee, that Judith's a smart cookie.
She overhears a conversation between Mitch McColl (Cameron Welsh) and Hayley Smith (Bec Cartwright) discussing the fact that Donald thought Judith had slept her way into the job due to achieving the position at younger age.
Judith is somewhat shocked when Edward announces that he has "married" his girlfriend Peta Janossi (Aleetza Wood) in a private ceremony in her garden and they plan to move in together.
Afterwards, Edward and Peta leave to go travelling after Judith arranges for the pair to go and stay with her cousin in Rome as the first stage of their trip.
[31] The website commented that Edward is "not a common sight amongst the stereotypical blonde haired beauties, that reside in Summer Bay".
[31] Herald Sun critic Jackie Brygel called Edward "a young chap who may possibly wear more lipstick and eyeliner than an Avon saleslady.
Will Smith (Zac Drayson) makes fun of his unusual goth appearance but Edward responds in an equally sarcastic manner.
He later saves Duncan Stewart (Brendan McKensy) from a group of bullies and as such earns an invite to join the rest of the local teens at the caravan park for their go kart trials.
He helps Peta stage a memorial service for her late grandmother who died overseas by lighting candles near the grave of a woman of a similar age.
Visible symptoms of Huntingdon's begin to show including muscle spasms and temporary paralysis, and Edward is keen to experience everything.
Shortly after turning 18, Edward takes the test for Huntingdon's which returns positive and he downplays until one day he breaks down in front of Peta and Mitch during a laughing fit.
Edward then removes his gothic make-up and asks Judith for his trust fund in order for him to travel with Peta and she complies, arranging for them to stay with her sister in Rome.
Edward becomes tired and irritable in the days leading up to their departure and worries Peta may not stay with him but she assures him she will and they leave after a fond farewell.