Beth and Tony (Jon Sivewright) are dating. Matilda is chosen to be Martha MacKenzie's (Jodi Gordon) bridesmaid for her wedding to Lucas' older brother Jack (Paul O'Brien). The day is marred by an explosion caused by Eve Jacobsen (Emily Perry), which leaves Matilda very badly burned. She then later develops bulimia after disgust with her body image following the explosion. Matilda collapses one day and then agrees to go to retreat for people with similar issues. While there she meets Dean Silverman (Gary Brun), who she begins dating. Lucas is suspicious of Dean and is shocked when he finds him hugging his ex-boyfriend, Gareth Westwood (Benjamin Ronczka) in a secluded spot. Matilda refuses to believe this at first but then is devastated when she finds the truth. As 2007 begins, Matilda begins dating Ric, who has not long broken up with Cassie. Beth disapproves at first but eventually comes around. When Ric is imprisoned for murdering Rocco Cooper (Ian Meadows), Matilda stands by him. Ric is eventually released after the real culprit is found and the two resume their relationship. After Beth is killed in a head-on car crash, Matilda, Kit and the Holdens are left devastated. Soon after, Kit leaves and Matilda feels abandoned as she is the only member of her family left in the bay. This takes a toll on her schoolwork and Matilda fails her HSC and opts to repeat Year 12 the following year. Matilda later finds out that Ric has been cheating on her with Viv Anderson (Simone McAullay) and later dumps him. They are later reunited but it is cut short when Matilda is accepted to a University in Perth and leaves immediately. Ric, on the advice of his grandfather, Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher) follows her there and finds Nathan Cunningham (Andrew Lees), the resident adviser in her bed. Ric prepares to return to Summer Bay but Matilda stops him and they have a heart-to-heart and reconcile. Reception For her portrayal of Matilda, Evans was nominated for "Best Young Actor" at the 2007 Inside Soap Awards. The following year, Evans received two nominations for "Sexiest Female" and "Best Couple", along with co-star Mark Furze. At the 2008 Dolly Teen Choice Awards, Evans won the "Queen of Teen" award. References External links Character profile at the Official AU Home and Away website Character profile at the Official UK Home and Away website Character profile