Morag Bellingham

Morag Bellingham (née Stewart, previously Bellingham and), is a fictional character on the Australian soap opera Home and Away, portrayed by actress Cornelia Frances as a series regular from 1988 - 1989. She has made returns in 1993, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 & 2009.

Character History
In 1988, she made her first appearance on Home and Away as bitchy Morag Bellingham, this is a role she has played on and off for the past 21 years. She is the sister of town veteran Alf Stewart and grew up in Summer Bay. She is also the half-sister of Colleen Stewart

Morag was seen as one of Home and Away's best bitches until 2003 when she showed her softer side to her family as she is very caring for them.

Morag was first seen on Home and Away in Episode 102 as a lawyer, but moved to the city shortly after her arrival. When it was revealed that Bobby Simpson was Morag's daughter, Bobby and Morag hated each other and after Morag's plane crashed into the sea, Bobby wanted to tell her how much she hated her when she came out of her coma.

After Bobby's death in 1993, she returned to try and get custody of Bobby's adoptive son Sam, but Ailsa, Alf's wife foiled her plan.

Morag eventually became a judge and presided over the trial of Kane Phillips for his sexual assault of Dani Sutherland in 2001.

Morag began making more regular appearances in Summer Bay again in 2002, and eventually moved back to the town. Morag has worked to stop Project 56, found out her friend Barry Hyde was a murderer, and feared her niece Martha Holden was dead after she was lost in a helicopter accident.

In May 2006, Morag left Summer Bay to clear her head after she was charged with obstructing the police investigation. She left for 3 weeks, but returned when she needed her files that were stolen from her office. One of those was Barry Hyde's, who was later found out to be the killer of Josh West. Morag defended him in court and even put up his bail money. She recently came back after Martha was found alive in the helicopter crash, but went back to the city to work with Barry Hyde on his case.

In late August 2006, Barry's son Kim Hyde was wrongfully accused of sexual assault and Morag was first on the scene to defend him and girlfriend Rachel Armstrong. Kim was tormented by Tara's lies and decided to leave Summer Bay. During that time, she also defended Robbie Hunter over allegations he killed his grandfather - Graham.

Morag defended past resident Robbie Hunter on his murder charges and Brad Armstrong in his drug and assault charges made by evil Johnny Cooper. Morag also became very curious of Martha's new boyfriend Ash Nader as she thought he had something to hide.

In 2007, Morag discovered that Ash was married and told him that he must tell Martha at once. He told Martha but Martha forgave him when he said he had been wanting to break up with his wife for some time. Martha attacked Morag about her own past and saying that she can't say these things because she was worse when she was young. So far Martha has moved out of the Fletcher/Stewart house and everyone has turned on Ash Nader.

On Australia Day 2007, Morag left Summer Bay to work on a big case in the city as the magistrate. She said that she wanted to find herself with her work.

In February 2007, Morag was back in Summer Bay and helped Ric Dalby, after he was charged with the murder Rocco Cooper (Johnny Cooper's brother) and was jailed, but the charge was later dropped, and Ric was released when Johnny was forced to confess the truth.

Morag returned to the Bay after being absent for 7 months. She arrived on the scene of Sally Fletcher and Brad Armstrong's wedding which didn't go to plan. Since her arrival, she's suspicious of Drew Curtis's mum - Jazz Curtis as she finds out what she is up to with her mothers fake death and inheritance.

Frances signed a six month contract to appear on the show in 2008. She became heavily involved with some of the biggest storylines of 2008. She was puzzled by the actions of Aden Jefferies - a new lad on the block, which she later found out that he was sexually abused by his grandfather. She solved the truth in Sam Holden's murder mystery, before marrying Ross Buckton. He was later diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, which meant Morag had to leave Summer Bay to the city for Ross to get the correct treatment.

Morag returned to Summer Bay in early 2009 for 2/3 weeks to support Martha Holden after the death of Jack Holden. She stuck around for the funeral before exiting the Bay once again after exposing Bridget Simmons's lies.

According to the Back to the Bay website, Morag will return again later this year.