Kristy Wright has been left "heartbroken and shattered" by Ben Unwin’s death.
The former ‘Home and Away’ actress – who portrayed Chloe Richards between 1995 and 1999 – has paid tribute to her late friend and co-star following his tragic passing at the age of 41.
Kristy spoke of her regret at not being in touch with Ben – who played her character’s boyfriend Jesse McGregor – "in a few years" and is devastated at the thought she’ll never see him again.
Alongside a gallery of old photos of them together, she wrote on Instagram: "I’m completely lost for words.. heartbroken and shattered….
"You were one of the most talented people I know, one of the kindest, smartest and funniest. You were a rock star. I am hearing your laugh now as I write this.
"We haven’t spoken in a few years and I can not express in this moment how sorry I am for that…
"I can’t believe you’re not looking at the same sky as me right now. I miss you now that I know I will never see you again..
"I will forever regret not reaching out more.. Beautiful Benny, Unners, Dingers… I’m so sorry. I love you. RIP my old friend.. see you on the next magical journey. Love, Bubs. [heart emojis] #benunwin #homeandaway #vale #heartbroken (sic)"
Kristy recalled how she had a "crazy schoolgirl crush" on Ben from the moment they met and was delighted when they were thrown together on the Australian soap.
She wrote: "In 1992 I met you for the first time and immediately fell into a crazy school girl crush. Watching you sing Tom Jones ‘If I only knew’ in your tight white pants is one of my favorite memories of you and just the first of so many.
"We were kids with the same dream and pretty quickly we became friends.. my crush disappeared but my love for you was just beginning.
"Years later we both found ourselves working on that little show @homeandaway and our friendship grew deeper.
"You harassed the writers to create a love story between our characters and when it finally happened we laughed our way through it and were just so happy to have the chance to work so closely with each other.
"I sit here, with tears, as I look through old photos of us on our magical journey into adulthood. I feel privileged to have known you the way I did. I saw into your beautiful soul and you saw me.. we were both big on maintaining eye contact.. you always made me feel beautiful and you made me laugh.. every day and anywhere I was with you.(sic)"
Ben’s body was found at his home in Minyon Falls in New South Wales, on August 14, but his death is "not being treated as suspicious".
KRisty Wright pays tribute to Ben Unwin
