Bonnie Sveen confirms she is leaving Home and Away.

Bonnie Sveen has revealed she is leaving Home and Away, in an emotional Instagram post shared with her almost 200,000 followers.

The actress, who joined the show in 2010, has become a household name for her straight-talking character Ricky Sharpe, and her romance with Steve Peacocke’s character, Daryl Braxton.

Home and Away fans will also know that she's about to wed Dr Nate Cooper on the show - which makes the departure even more dramatic.

In the post, which garnered almost 7,000 likes and almost 1,000 comments, Sveen wrote, 'It is with a sad but proud heart I announce the end of my Home & Away journey.

If someone had told me 10 years ago that I'd be playing a staunch, surfy chick in Summer Bay (and that it would give me more joy than I could imagine) I wouldn't have believed them.'

And so...It is with a sad but proud heart I announce the end of my Home & Away journey. If someone had told me 10 years ago that I'd be playing a staunch, surfy chick in Summer Bay (and that it would bring me more joy than I could imagine) I wouldn't have believed them. A magical place to shoot scenes all colours of the rainbow, ???????with a tireless crew and production team... And a cast that I have learnt from and grown amongst. Thank you for the banter, the laughs and the lessons. Playing Ricky has shaped me forever. I carry every bond that was forged and so many fond memories, into the new beginning. Very excited about what creative exploration the future holds... And thrilled to be diving into LAYLA, on 7s new #SecretDaughter @jessicamauboy1's character (BILLIE)'s best friend. ???? Snap ? is with one of my H&A sisters @makeupbysherri ?

A photo posted by Bonnie Sveen? (@msbonniqua) on Apr 13, 2016 at 4:26am PDT

She also thanked the people she has worked alongside during her six years on Home and Away. She described the show as, 'A magical place to shoot scenes all colours of the rainbow, with a tireless crew and production team...And a cast that I have learnt from and grown amongst.

Thank you for the banter, the laughs and the lessons. Playing Ricky has shaped me forever. I carry every bond that was forged and so many fond memories, into the new beginning.'

Pictured next to her makeup artist, Sherri Meissner, Sveen appears hopeful about her future. In the post, she revealed that she is soon taking on the role of Layla in Channel 7's new show Secret Daughter. She'll play Jessica Mauboy's character's best friend.

While fans are no doubt disappointed by the news, their comments were overwhelmingly supportive.

One user commented, 'Although I am so sad that yet another one of my favourites is leaving. I am so proud of what you have achieved and I cant wait for what the future holds for you Bonnie, all I know is that it is brighter than the stars!! Thankyou for being the amazing role model that you are. Lots of love.'

Others seem to have lost faith in the show now that Sveen is leaving. 'Show's not worth watching,' read one comment. 'Home and Away won't be the same anymore', said another.

We wish Bonnie all the best for the future - and if tradition holds, Home and Away stars have a tendency to have a very bright future ahead of them.