BBC Return to Paradise star Tai Hara's famous wife and heartbreak after flood 'destroyed' family home

Tai Hara is back on our screens tonight as Death in Paradise spin-off Return to Paradise airs on BBC One. Viewers might recognise the Australian actor from his time in Home and Away as bad boy Andy Barrett and James in Colin From Accounts.

He's also spent time in the US for series Madam Secretary and Preacher, and in 2014 competed in the 14th series of Dancing with the Stars. But what do we know about the actor's life away from the cameras?

Below we look at his relationship with his famous wife, and a flood which devastated his family's home.

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Tai Hara's heartbreak after flood destroyed family home

The actor once opened up about a devastating event at his childhood home in 2022. He shared his heartbreak as he revealed the home where his mum and dad lived had been severely damaged in devastating floods.

Tai said he had been further concerned as it was 'difficult' to contact them during the ordeal in Ballina, NSW. "Devastated for my family and the Northern Rivers community," he shared online. "So heartbreaking to see our family home inundated With no clean water, short food supply and no electricity... it's been difficult to contact our parents."

He added: "Feeling so useless here in Sydney. All we can do is support organisations that are in the thick of it, providing vital support. Your generosity can help teams on the ground to provide urgent relief, including enabling volunteers and staff to help with evacuations, relief centres and outreach service, and supporting people and communities to recover and rebuild."

Tai Hara's famous wife and family

Tai lives in Sydney with his wife Fely Irvine and their children, daughter Chi and son Soleil. Tai and Fely first met while auditioning for Australia's child entertainment group, Hi-5, in 2013.

Despite Tai not landing the role, there was no animosity between the pair, only a spark. They later went on to work together for the first time in hit comedy Colin From Accounts.

Tai portrays Ashley's (played by Harriet Dyer) former flame, James, who shares a secret smooch with nurse Tessa, played by Felicity. Tai shared: "Fel and I actually haven't had the chance to work together professionally, so it was our first chance to do that. It was absolutely amazing.

"It's always so much fun to get to do anything with the person you love... That was a bit of fun too, a little bit of role-play there."

Return to Paradise airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 8pm on Friday, November 22.