<P> In January 2010, it was announced that Gordon had decided to leave the show . She asked Channel Seven to release her two years early from her contract . Producers and network executives had urged her to stay with the show because her character was popular with viewers . Gordon said, "I've had a wonderful five years with Channel Seven and Home and Away--it's been an amazing experience to be a part of this incredible show . I've learnt so much ." Gordon filmed her final scenes at the end of February . Fellow Actor Ray Meagher who plays Martha's grandfather Alf Stewart backed her decision to leave the show, but said he was sad that his character would be left on - screen without any blood relatives . </P> <P> Channel Seven described Martha as being "Friendly, straight down the line, and with a great enthusiasm for life", and Jetstar magazine called Martha "a feisty addition to the Stewart family". Gordon described Martha's persona stating: "Martha's pretty feisty all of the time but in the sense of always fighting for what's right and keeping up a strong perspective on where I want to go, things like that ." Gordon says that she feels Martha always makes bad choices when it comes to her love life, because she never knows what she wants . Gordon said that Martha is "messed up" but with a "warm side" to her persona, and that overall Martha is "fun loving, easy going girl - next - door" type character . Of her portrayal, Gordon says that she enjoys the challenge of playing Martha because she gets to shout a lot when showing her crazy and fun side . Gordon later said that "There will always be a little bit of trouble attached to Martha . She will always be a little bit mischievous". On the character's appearance, RTÉ said "Martha was a self - confessed tomboy, loving sport and anything physical . Now she has grown into a stylish woman with great taste in clothes which range from shorts and strappy tops to gorgeous summer dresses ." </P> <P> Most of Martha's storylines were central to her on - off relationship with Jack Holden (Paul O'Brien). Viewers saw the couple go through marriage, divorce, a second marriage and Martha being widowed . Holy Soap said that Martha and Jack proved to be one of the "best loved couples", before they married for the first time . However, their marriage does not last long and they split . Martha and Jack start to lead separate lives, but Jack is there for Martha after she has an abortion . Martha is feeling low at this point and kisses him; Jack's girlfriend Sam Tolhurst (Jessica Chapnik) sees this . O'Brien stated: "I think Jack felt like' Oh this is nice, but I've moved on, I've finally moved on and found someone', but deep down he still wants Martha ." Martha is left "shattered" after Jack plans to marry Sam . Martha was caught trying on Sam's wedding dress as she tried to figure out if she still had feelings for Jack . Gordon said that from day one, Jack and Martha have wanted to be together, but "they're never in the same headspace". O'Brien added that he believes Jack was always in love with Martha, even whilst he was in a relationship with Sam . Both O'Brien and Gordon agreed that when Jack and Martha first broke up it was a bad time for Jack, as his life was spiraling out of control, he needed her, but she left him when he needed her the most . They later become friends; O'Brien believed it was hard to understand how Jack could be so forgiving toward her . </P> <P> Although the characters were separated on screen, they had gained a fan base on the Internet that believed Martha should be with Jack and wanted the pair to reunite . Gordon herself backed the pairing, stating that she believed they should be together . She said: "I actually love Jack and Martha together, I'm a sucker for romance so, I want want them to be together (...) I want them to continue on, (...) the timing is not right, they are not mature enough . Jack's in a relationship with someone else as Martha is, there just seems to be things getting in the way of them getting back together all the time ." Gordon also hoped for a happy ending for the two characters if they were to ever leave the serial adding: "If I had it my way, and I got to write the scripts then I'd make it happily ever after, Martha and Jack riding off into the sunset ." Gordon has spoken of her understanding from the audiences point of view, that together Jack and Martha are "the ultimate couple". She also reiterated her belief that it would be to tough at the time of Martha's downward spiral for them to work together, but if Martha is to get through her troubles and have a happy ending, that it would be with Jack . The Daily Telegraph commented on the Martha and Jack situation, saying it is played out in a "classic soapie technique". They said "Bring the characters together, push them apart, but always leave open the possibility that they could get back together . It has worked for Days of Our Lives' John Black and Marlena Evans". </P>

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