Dieter Brummer dead: Fans, colleagues in shock at former Home and Away star’s death

The Australian entertainment industry and millions of TV fans were left in shock after the death of 90s heart-throb Dieter Brummer at the age of just 45.

Brummer, described by his devastated family yesterday as “handsome, talented, funny, complicated and beloved”, was found dead at his Sydney home on Saturday after police responded to concerns for his welfare. His death was not being treated as suspicious.

Brummer rose to fame as Shane Parrish on Channel 7’s Home and Away, which he joined in 1992 when he was just 15.

He became a pin-up star and was adored by a legion of teenage fans who were glued to screens across his four-year, drama-filled storyline alongside on-screen love interest Melissa George, who played Angel Brooks.

They were the most popular TV couple since Neighbours’ Scott and Charlene, played by Jason Donovan and Kylie Minogue in the 1980s. Brummer won two silver Logies for most popular actor in 1995 and 1996.

Angel and Shane’s wedding, which aired in April 1995 and saw George’s wheelchair-bound character miraculously stand up and walk down the aisle, remains one of the soap’s most memorable episodes. Brummer left the show in 1996 when his character died from septicaemia on Shane and Angel’s first wedding anniversary.

He left the industry for more than 10 years, to spend his 20s “catching up on a few years that I’d missed out on”, before returning to Australian screens in 2010 in a widely praised performance as police officer Trevor Haken in Underbelly.

He also appeared in Neighbours and Winners & Losers but recently ran his own window-cleaning business.

In a statement his family urged anyone suffering to “pick up the phone” and ask for help.

“He has left a massive hole in our lives and our world will never be the same,” they said. “Our thoughts go out to all of you who knew him, loved him, or worked with him over the years.”

A spokesperson for Channel 7 said the network was “deeply saddened” to hear of the actor’s death.

“Dieter was a much-loved Home and Away cast member and celebrated by Australian and international audiences for his award-winning portrayal of Shane Parrish,” they said. “We send our sincere condolences to Dieter’s family and friends during this very difficult time.”

Brummer had previously admitted to struggling with the limelight at such a young age, telling TV Tonight in 2010 that it “was a pretty intense time coming out of high school to receive all this fame and adulation”.

“As great as it was I wanted to prove to myself I could get my hands dirty and sweat for a buck as easily as standing around on set, being primped and preened,” he said.

Past and present Home and Away stars were among those to express their sadness yesterday.

“It’s very sad to hear of his passing at such a young age,” Ray Meagher said.

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