Sam Frost could be back to Home and Away just weeks after announcing her resignation from the show due to the continuing COVID vaccine controversy.
Lynne McGranger, a long-time Summer Bay cast member, said on Monday that Sam had been double-vaccinated and will be permitted back on set.
Sam made waves in December when she left the show because Channel 7 mandated that all cast and crew receive the COVID vaccine.
Lynne stated to Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa this morning that she is considering a return to Home and Away.
“Can I just say the door is not closed, it’s very much an open door,” she said. Sam needed to be with her family, who were in Melbourne,” Lynne explained.
“Of course, there were some complications having her vaccinated, but I’m here to tell you that she is now twice vaccinated, and perhaps boosted as well.” She needed to be with her family, but she is welcome to return at any time.
“With the way she’s now gone from the bay, there’s lots of room for her to return, and I’m sure she’s in talks with the producers right now.”
When questioned if Sam departed the show for any other reasons than the vaccine mandate, Lynne disclosed that the 32-year-old wanted to relocate from Sydney to Melbourne to be closer to her family.
“She missed her family,” Lynne said. “I can’t speak for Sam, but she missed her family down in Melbourne, and that’s where she needed to be.”
“She’s never hidden the fact that she suffers from anxiety, which is out there and a great thing to make public, but she needed to be with her family, and the producers, being clever and smart and certainly compassionate, said, ‘You go and do what you need to do Sam, the door is open for you to come back, and we’d love you to come back.'”
Sam produced a video in October admitting she had “valid reasons” not to get the COVID vaccine but preferred to keep them hidden. She then appealed for “empathy” for those who choose to stay unvaccinated and stated her anxiety has worsened.
“I feel like the world is coming to a place where there’s a lot of division, a lot of harsh judgement, and it’s taking its toll on my mental health,” she said in the now-deleted Instagram video.
After Channel Seven made COVID vaccinations required a month later, Sam confirmed that her character Jasmine Delaney would be “temporarily” written off for a few weeks.
“I’ll be written off for a few weeks since Jazzy is going on an off-screen excursion… but I’ll be back,” she said at the time.
“My managers are fantastic; we’ve been communicating openly for months. We are quite glad that we were able to come up with a plan that works for everyone.”
Sam went on to say that she had a medical surgery scheduled for January, but that she would be fully vaccinated by February.
“I’m not going to leave Home & Away. I’ve scheduled a medical surgery for January. So I won’t be fully vaccinated until mid-late February, at the earliest “In November, she wrote.
“I’ll be written out for a few weeks while Jazzy goes on an off-screen trip… but I’ll be back.”
Sam filmed her final scenes on the Home and Away set at Sydney’s Eveleigh Studios on December 17, announcing her departure from the drama.
In a statement to TV WEEK in December, Channel Seven said: “Sam’s decision to leave Home and Away is one we support and respect. Sam departs us with our heartfelt gratitude and best wishes for the future.”
Sam’s resignation is “not related to Seven Productions vaccination policy,” according to the network.
“Sam previously stated on social media that she plans to get vaccinated after a medical procedure in January 2022. This timing was mutually agreed upon and accommodated by the production schedule of Home and Away “TV WEEK was told by a spokesman.
Channel Seven has been contacted by Now To Love for comment on Sam’s likely return.
