Fans of Home and Away were devastated when Sam Frost announced her departure from the show.
After five years as Jasmine Delaney on The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, the former Bachelor and Bachelorette star has stated she is leaving to focus on her mental health.
The 32-year-old explained her decision on her Believe by Sam Frost Instagram account, accompanying a photo of a retweet about Ash Barty’s decision to retire from tennis to focus on her mental health.
“To take care of my mental health, I left my dream job on Home and Away. I needed to take a breather, return home, and spend time with my family “Sam got things started.
“Most importantly, I must prioritise my health and well-being. I now spend my days with the people I care about, doing the things I’ve always wanted to do but couldn’t due to my work schedule. I spent 4.5 years as a distant friend, a distant partner, and a sister who was unable to be present at major life events. I’m making up for lost time right now.”
The blonde beauty went on to say that her priorities have shifted and that she now wants to focus on the more essential aspects of her life, which work has taken away from.
“I’m putting my health and relationships first. I sometimes wake up worried about money, employment, and being able to pay my mortgage… but then I remember how important it is to prioritise our mental health and take time to repair our mind, body, and spirit. The rest will fall into place as time goes on ✨ #healing”
During an interview with Nova’s Fitzy and Wippa last week, Sam’s former Home and Away co-star Lynne McGranger explained the reason she believes Sam left the show and proclaimed that there will always be a place for her.
“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 asked if she departed because of the vaccine mandate, Sam said no, which sparked outrage when she disclosed in October that she hadn’t been vaccinated and had to leave production early because of Channel Seven’s decision to make vaccinations mandatory.
Despite this, Lynne confirmed that Sam has been vaccinated.
“She missed her family,” Lynne said. “I can’t speak for Sam, but she missed her family 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.'”
