Happy birthday for Home and Away

Actress Ada Nicodemou arrives for the Home & Away birthday party. Photo / Getty Images

Past and present Home And Away stars have come together to celebrate the success of the soapie, still going strong after 21 years.

Cast member Ray Meagher, whose portrayal of Alf has won the world record of the world's longest-serving character, led the celebrations.

"Home And Away is the most financially successful product in the history of the Seven Network," Meagher told a crowd gathered to celebrate the show's birthday.

"Artistically some people might argue."

Hundreds of competition winners and current cast such as Axle Whitehead, Lincoln Lewis, and Luke Jacobz joined previous stars such as Justin Melvey, Emily Symons and Nicolle Dickson for the party at Sydney's Cargo Bar.

Fans were taken down memory lane, shown clips and a celebratory cake was cut.

The mayor of Sydney's Pittwater Council, where the show is filmed, gave cast members the key to Palm Beach.

Meagher said he couldn't believe the show had done so well because in the first few months they didn't expect it to succeed.

"Now, we are knocking on the door of 5,000 episodes," Meagher said.

"We are lucky we've got you buggers."

Fans who won a chance to go to the party thanks to a radio promotion from Today FM radio duo Kyle and Jackie O, were thrilled to get up close with the stars but forced to hand in mobile phones to avoid any controversy.

Jodi Gordon, who has been in the spotlight following an alleged cocaine bender with a bikie last month, was a notable absentee.

A Seven spokeswoman said she and a number of the cast could not attend due to work commitments.

"She has a very early call on Friday and she's at home preparing for work," the spokeswoman told AAP.

Home And Away premiered on Seven in January 1988 and is the second longest-running drama on Australian television after rival soapie Neighbours.

The program has won more than 30 Logie awards in that time.

Set in the fictional seaside town of Summer Bay, Home And Away has been an ongoing ratings winner for the network.

It has boasted some of Australia's most famous actors including Heath Ledger, Isla Fisher, Melissa George, Julian McMahon, Simon Baker, Guy Pearce and Naomi Watts.

- AAP