“I would absolutely love a Don Fisher return story, that would be great,” she smiles. “I don’t think we’d ever get Norman Coburn back, though. Fisher was a very funny and charming character, and it would be really nice to see him and Marilyn together again as they are now – but not necessarily romantically.

“I’m not even sure if they’re meant to be in touch on the show, but I bet they’re still friends and I can imagine them catching up over a cup of tea or something. Plus he’s also still good mates with Alf so he could visit him as well. It’s a very old school reference, as are most of my references!”

‘Flathead’ Fisher was among the soap’s original cast when it began in 1988 and remained a regular until 2003. He returned for a few guest appearances, the last of which was in 2007, and veteran actor Coburn retired the following year.

Don’s brittle, strait-laced exterior softened when he fell for younger woman Maz and in 1996 the pair tied the knot. Sadly, their fairy-tale romance hit the rocks when their baby son Byron tragically died of cancer in 1998 and grief-stricken Mrs Fisher left the Bay shortly afterwards.

The estranged couple unexpectedly ran into each other in London in 2001 and finally found closure as they confronted their painful past. They saw each other again off screen when Fisher flew to the UK when his former wife was battling cancer, but by the time Marilyn returned to her old home full-time in 2010 her ex had moved away.

Unfortunately, Marilyn’s latest marriage has collapsed in the Bay of the present day following husband John Palmer’s devastating stroke. Unable to cope with being his carer, Maz finally admits it’s all over and moves out.

“She’s been kidding herself, soldiering on trying to make it work,” sighs Symons. “John gets a live-in carer called Amber who is amazing, then he’s the one who says they can’t do this any more and asks Marilyn to go. It’s very sad but allows her to move on and removes the burden. She literally walks out with one pink wheelie bag, it’s so sad.