Heartbreak as Home and Away star dies suddenly: 'By far the best actor

 Tributes are pouring in after the death of a beloved Home and Away cast member.

Buddy, the adorable Boxer who featured as James Stewart's dog on the show from 2016 to 2019, passed away at the weekend.

His owner Shelley announced the heartbreaking news on social media.

'I have lost my Buddy. We did so many fun things together over the years. His time on Home and Away was definitely the highlight for him and me,' she wrote.

'He loved going (on set) more than anything. We had a final trip to the beach planned but he just didn’t make it. He left peacefully at home in his bed while I held him. I have lost a big piece of my heart.'

 The dog made his first appearance on the show with James Stewart's character, Justin Morgan, in June 2016...

Tributes are pouring in after a beloved Home and Away cast member recently died. Buddy, the adorable Boxer who featured as James Stewart's dog on the show from 2016 to 2019, passed away at the weekend..

The dog made his first appearance on the show with James Stewart's character, Justin Morgan, in June 2016.

He was gradually phased out as the drama series began focusing on Justin's relationship with Leah Patterson, played by James' real-life girlfriend Ada Nicodemou.

Heartbroken Home and Away cast members took to the comment section of Shelley's post to pay tribute to Buddy.

'RIP beautiful Buddy. You were my sidekick in so many scenes... An incredible scene partner,' James Stewart wrote.

'Always knew your lines… always hit your mark... and you could sniff out chicken wherever it was! I love ya mate.'

'Oh I am so sorry to read this. Beautiful Buddy,' Lynne McGranger wrote, while Sophie Dillman added: 'Sending you so much love. The goodness boy ever.'

Meanwhile, heartbroken fans paid tribute to the dog's fine 'acting' skills.

'He was the best thing in Home and Away for many years. By far the best actor. An amazing dog, may he rest in peace and enjoy his time over the rainbow bridge,' one devastated fan wrote..

Buddy was gradually phased out as the drama series began focusing on Justin's relationship with Leah Patterson, played by James' real-life girlfriend Ada Nicodemou (pictured)..

In August, Buddy made headlines after fans noticed a strange detail about him on the long-running Channel Seven soap opera.

On a Facebook fan page, one viewer was quick to point out the beloved pooch had mysteriously gone missing from Summer Bay.

'What happened to Buddy? Never see him anymore,' one eagle-eyed viewer wrote.

'Poor Buddy, he must be starving, no one ever feeds him, let alone takes him out on daily walks?!' added another.

'He's in the backyard,' replied another person, before one proposed a novel theory about Boxer's extended absence.

'[Buddy] heard Justin singing and playing guitar and ran far away like a dog with fireworks, poor thing,' the comment read, referring to the character's tendency to sing on the show.

Elsewhere, others suggested the long-running drama should go back to showing more of the characters' domestic lives.