Irish viewers have shown a strong fondness for Australian soaps throughout the 90s, 2000s, and 2010s. Among these, Home and Away has held a special place in many hearts as one of the most dramatic series on air, introducing unforgettable characters.
One standout figure from Summer Bay is Charlie Buckton, who captured audiences from 2008 to 2012 with her tumultuous romance with the town’s infamous rebel, Darryl “Brax” Braxton. Many remember the emotional scene in which Charlie was shot by the vengeful Jake Pirovic (Fletcher Humphrys) on her last day as a police officer, leaving her daughter Ruby and Brax with the heartbreaking decision to turn off her life support.
As their characters navigated a storyline rife with love and legal challenges, rumors began circulating that the actors shared a deeper connection off-screen. However, Esther Anderson has consistently denied these speculations. In a 2011 interview with New Idea, she remarked, “I guess it’s a compliment to my acting, which is good. That’s what you want, but we are just friends. Steve’s one of the most talented actors I’ve ever worked with and he’s completely humble about it. He’s brought out the best in my acting as well.”
She also clarified her relationship status at that time, stating, “I’m single, but I’m really happy where I am. I don’t feel like there is anything missing, and I think I kind of feel, in a way, a bit excited that I’ve still got the relationship side of things to look forward to when it happens.”
Esther’s role as Charlie came to a close with her character’s exit in the thrilling 2011 finale. Since then, she has explored various projects. In 2015, she met her future husband, Howard Moggs, and they became engaged in February 2016. They married in 2017 and lived in Los Angeles, California, for several years, where Howard proposed to her at their newly purchased home on Valentine’s Day.
Esther recalled the moment fondly, thinking Howard wanted to celebrate their new home. He had set up tea lights in the garden, brought out champagne, and proposed right then and there. They later tied the knot in Australia, where Esther is originally from, in a romantic and intimate ceremony.
Celebrating their five-year wedding anniversary in 2022, Esther shared on Instagram: “Happy Anniversary my love! Even though two of the five years have been during a pandemic, we have still had some pretty amazing adventures together…looking forward to all the ones to come.” The couple has since moved back to Australia.
They welcomed their first child, a son named Forrest, in 2018. In April 2022, Esther announced her second pregnancy, joyfully exclaiming online, “The three of us…soon to be four!” Their second child, Ralph Harlan Moggs, was born in October 2022.
Often compared to Elizabeth Hurley, Esther has kept busy since her Home and Away days with various television projects, including Siberia and Broken Contract. Additionally, she made a brief appearance in Neighbours before the show’s cancellation.
