Home and Away star Dee Smart discusses cancer battle during TV interview THREE decades after soap

It has been nearly three decades since Dee Smart was catapulted to stardom on Home and Away.

And on Friday, the actress, who was 25 when she took on the role of tomboy Lucinda Croft in 1991, surprised longtime viewers of the popular soap as she made an appearance on Channel Seven’s This Morning on Friday.

Now working as a successful artist, Dee candidly spoke about her life after being diagnosed with cancer in December. 

Remember her? Former Home and Away star Dee Smart, 53, discussed her cancer battle during a surprise appearance on Channel Seven’s This Morning on Friday

Stardom: It has been nearly three decades since Dee took on the role of tomboyish Lucinda Croft on Home and Away [Pictured 1991] 

Revealing if she had any newfound regrets following her diagnosis, Dee explained: ‘I have three kids, and I know they are very capable. I’ve brought them up to be very independent. Their father [Chris Hancock] is a beautiful dad. 

‘Actually, I have one regret! I want to be a better artist and I know I need more time.’

After a long acting career, Dee now works as an artist, and her efforts saw her announced as a finalist for the prestigious Archibald Prize in 2017.

Dee first came to public recognition in the early nineties, when she was cast in Home and Away.

‘Need more time for my art’: Now working as a successful artist, Dee candidly spoke about her life after being diagnosed with cancer in December

Her turn on the show saw her character involved in a romance with policeman Nick Parrish [Bruce Roberts], as well as a plot involving her estranged brother [Guy Pearce]

Despite quickly becoming a fan favourite, Dee demanded to be released from the show a mere eight months into her two-year contract, famously telling TV WEEK that she felt like she was completing a ‘prison sentence.’

The actress was also critical of the show’s fast-paced production, which didn’t allow time for character development. 

Despite her criticism of the show, Dee had to see out her contract – but less than a year later her character was written out, and she was axed from the show.  

Impressive: After a long acting career, Dee now works as an artist, and her efforts saw her announced as a finalist for the prestigious Archibald Prize in 2017

After taking a break from acting, she returned to the screen in 1994 for a critically acclaimed student film Audacious.

As well as pursuing a singing career, Dee also worked as a stage actress in Australia and the UK.

On the personal front, she has been married to Chris Hancock since June 1998, and the pair share three children.

In April 2003, the married couple became devout Scientologists – but they later abandoned the religion after deeming the rules too strict.