More than a decade after leaving Summer Bay behind, Axle Whitehead has reignited speculation among Home and Away fans with a tantalising hint that his iconic character, Liam Murphy, could one day ride back into town. In a brief but telling response, the actor summed up his feelings on a possible return in just three words: “Never say never.” And for long-time viewers of the soap, that was more than enough to set imaginations racing.

Axle Whitehead first appeared on Home and Away as troubled biker Liam Murphy, a character who quickly carved out a place in the show’s history. Liam was intense, volatile, and deeply flawed, yet also fiercely loyal and capable of great tenderness—particularly when it came to his son. Over time, his journey through addiction, love, and fatherhood made him one of the more complex figures to pass through Summer Bay.

When Whitehead exited the soap in 2013, Liam’s departure was anything but definitive. Rather than killing the character off or closing the door completely, the writers chose a far more evocative ending. Liam left town on his motorbike with his son, Ash, riding off into the distance to start a new life elsewhere. It was a cinematic farewell that felt deliberately open-ended, and fans noticed.

A goodbye that left the door open

Unlike many soap exits, Liam Murphy’s departure was designed to avoid finality. There was no dramatic death, no explosive confrontation that burned bridges forever. Instead, it was a quiet, almost hopeful ending—one that suggested unfinished business and future possibilities. Over the years, that choice has fuelled ongoing speculation about whether Liam could return, and whether Axle Whitehead would ever be willing to step back into the role.

That speculation was reignited when Whitehead was recently asked directly about the possibility of returning to Home and Away. Speaking to the press, including RadioTimes.com, the actor reflected on how his character’s exit was written and why it still resonates today.

“My character, Liam Murphy, rode off into the sunset on a motorbike with Romeo on the back,” he explained. “That kind of ending makes a future return entirely possible.”

Then came the line that set the fandom alight. Asked to sum up his feelings on a comeback, Whitehead offered a succinct but powerful response: “Never say never.”

Why Liam Murphy still matters

For many viewers, Liam Murphy remains one of Home and Away’s most memorable characters of the 2010s. His storylines explored addiction, recovery, and the struggle to be a better father, grounding the soap’s sun-soaked drama in darker, more realistic territory. Liam wasn’t always likeable, but he was compelling—and his growth over time gave his eventual exit emotional weight.

A return could open up a wealth of storytelling opportunities. Liam would be older, changed by years away from Summer Bay, potentially carrying new scars and new wisdom. How would he fit into a town that has evolved without him? Who would still remember the man he used to be—and who would meet him for the first time? The open-ended nature of his departure means writers could reintroduce him in countless ways, whether as a man seeking redemption, closure, or reconnection.

Whitehead’s comments suggest he’s aware of that potential, even if nothing concrete is on the table just yet.

Looking back with fondness

Reflecting on his time on Home and Away, Whitehead spoke warmly about the experience, praising both the pace of production and the camaraderie on set. He described the soap as fun, intense, and an invaluable training ground—sentiments echoed by many actors who have passed through Summer Bay before going on to broader careers.

The fast turnaround of scenes, the demanding schedules, and the need to deliver emotional performances day after day helped shape Whitehead as an actor. That shared pressure also forged strong bonds among cast and crew, something he clearly remembers fondly.

Those positive memories are significant. Actors who leave soaps under difficult circumstances often close the door firmly behind them. Whitehead’s openness—and his refusal to rule anything out—suggests no such bitterness here.

A new challenge on the horizon

While a Home and Away return remains uncertain, Axle Whitehead is about to face a very different kind of test on screen. He is set to appear in the upcoming series of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, which launches on Channel 4 on Sunday, January 4, with a bold new twist on the format.

The series will see 14 British and Australian celebrities pushed to their physical and psychological limits in one of the toughest reality TV environments on air. This season introduces a competitive edge, with Team Australia going head-to-head against Team UK in a brutal test of endurance, resilience, and mental strength.

Whitehead will represent Team Australia alongside a high-profile line-up that includes Married at First Sight Australia star Jessica Power, Neighbours actors Ryan Moloney and Natalie Bassingthwaighte, former cricketer Brad Hodge, and Olympians Emily Seebohm and Melissa Horton.

According to the show’s synopsis, both teams will face relentless pressure, with mistakes punished and weaknesses exposed. It all builds toward one final question: who will endure to the end, and which nation will claim victory when the rivalry reaches breaking point?

From Summer Bay to survival training

The contrast between Home and Away and Celebrity SAS couldn’t be more striking. One is a glossy drama set against the idyllic backdrop of the coast; the other is a stripped-back, punishing environment designed to break its participants down completely. Yet in many ways, Whitehead’s casting makes sense.

Liam Murphy was a character defined by struggle, toughness, and emotional volatility. Watching Whitehead tested under extreme conditions feels like a natural extension of that persona—albeit in a very different context. For fans, it also offers a fresh way to reconnect with an actor they haven’t seen regularly on Australian screens for some time.

What would a return mean for Home and Away?

Should Axle Whitehead ever choose to return to Summer Bay, it would undoubtedly be a major moment for the soap. Legacy characters bring with them history, nostalgia, and built-in emotional stakes. Liam Murphy’s return could resonate particularly strongly, given the way his story was left unresolved.

Home and Away has a long tradition of welcoming back familiar faces, often using their returns to explore themes of change, regret, and second chances. Liam’s reappearance could tap into all of that, offering long-time viewers a sense of continuity while introducing newer audiences to a character with depth and history.

For now, though, Whitehead’s three-word answer is all fans have—and it’s enough to keep hope alive.

Never say never

In the world of soap operas, few things are ever truly impossible. Characters long thought gone return. Stories once finished are reopened. And actors who swore they’d never go back sometimes find themselves drawn home.

Axle Whitehead’s refusal to close the door on Home and Away is a reminder of that enduring truth. Whether Liam Murphy ever rides back into Summer Bay remains to be seen, but the possibility alone is enough to spark excitement.

As Whitehead prepares to test himself on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, fans will be watching closely—both for how he fares under pressure and for any further hints about a return to the role that helped define a chapter of Home and Away history.

For now, one thing is certain: the door to Summer Bay is still ajar. And in soapland, that can mean everything.