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Reference > Erinsborough News > Hoyland's Final Fling

As Max bids farewell to Ramsay Street, actor Stephen Lovatt reflects on his five-year stint in Erinsborough...

It's the end of an era in Neighbours this week, as Max and Steph Hoyland finally come to terms with the fact that their marriage is over - and Max makes the heartbreaking decision to leave town...

"Max & Steph still love each other, but it's just not working any more," explains Stephen Lovatt, who plays Max. "It takes a lot of courage for them to admit that, but they have to learn the hard lesson that there's a difference between loving someone and being in love with them."

The situation is further complicated by Steph having developed feelings for Toadie during Max's recent two-month absence from Ramsay Street. "Whether Steph and Toadie will now get together remains to be seen," muses Stephen. "In any case, I'm sure Max will be cut up for years, knowing he isn't getting to be a father to his baby son, Charlie. Most of his sense of himself comes from his love for his family."

Max's older children, Boyd and Summer, are equally upset to learn of the break-up, and Max's subsequent decision to return to work on an oil rig. "The kids aren't too chuffed, but they come round to it in the end," Stephen reveals. "I imagine that for children, there's a huge sense of powerlessness and betrayal when something like this happens. Though I'm glad Steph and Max had the good grace to split up without acrimony.

"In real life, I was sorry to say goodbye to the excellent people I got to work with, but the world keeps turning," adds the actor, who's currently spending time in the US. "I made some good friends, and stayed on the show longer than I ever intended. It was time to move on."

This article originally appeared in Inside Soap magazine dated 27th April 2007

Article submitted by Callum