Next week on Home and Away in the UK, the usually upbeat John Palmer faces one of his loneliest chapters yet, as well-meaning friends try — and fail — to lift his spirits.

What begins as a harmless attempt to bring laughter back into John’s life quickly spirals into disappointment, exposing just how deeply he’s been affected by Irene’s departure.

Beneath his cheery front, John’s quiet heartbreak is starting to surface, leaving his friends helpless as they watch him crumble behind closed doors.

After weeks of trying to convince everyone — including himself — that he’s fine without Irene, it’s becoming painfully clear that John is anything but. Despite his determination to carry on, the emptiness in his life grows heavier by the day. His promise to “stay positive” and keep busy might fool some, but those closest to him — particularly Justin and Alf — can see the cracks forming.

The truth finally hits home one evening after a dinner party at Salt. Surrounded by laughter and conversation, John appears relaxed and content. But when the crowd disperses, the mask slips. Alone on the balcony, a single tear escapes as he stares into the night — a moment that captures his growing sense of isolation. It’s an image that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

Justin, deeply concerned, decides it’s time to act. Determined to lift John’s spirits, he proposes a men’s poker night — just the lads, some banter, and a bit of harmless competition. Alf quickly agrees, thinking it’s exactly what John needs. And John himself is thrilled by the idea, seeing it as a chance to reconnect and maybe, for a night, forget his troubles.

But in typical Summer Bay fashion, even the best-laid plans go awry.

When Justin returns home to prepare, he’s met with an unexpected sight — Leah has already set the table with nibbles and margaritas, clearly expecting to join in. Justin awkwardly tries to explain that it’s supposed to be a men-only evening, meant to help John open up. Leah, unimpressed, raises an eyebrow. “You’re seriously kicking me out of my own home for a card game?” she quips, her tone half-joking but her pride wounded.

Meanwhile, over at the Surf Club, John is in his element. He saunters in, testing out his poker face on an unsuspecting Marilyn and Abigail, joking that he’s off on a “hot date.” When they fall for it, he can’t help but grin — a small flash of the old John that fans have missed.

As poker night begins, Justin reluctantly accepts Leah’s help with the snacks before gently ushering her out so the men can get started. Spirits are high, jokes are flying, and for a brief moment, John seems genuinely happy. But the night takes a surprise turn when Sergeant David shows up uninvited after overhearing Leah complain about being “banned from her own home.”

David arrives in full mock-seriousness, announcing he’s there to investigate “illegal gambling.” The room goes quiet for a beat — until he breaks into a grin. “Deal me in,” he says, and just like that, the poker night gets an unexpected guest.

At first, it’s all lighthearted fun. But when David suggests raising the stakes, the atmosphere shifts. He pulls out his wallet and proposes they play for cash. John hesitates — everyone knows he hates parting with money — but the friendly competition tempts him. Alf warns him to play it smart, but John insists he’s not “losing money,” only “investing it.” He even brags that his Navy nickname was “X-Ray,” thanks to his ability to see through any bluff. Unfortunately, X-Ray’s powers are nowhere to be found that night.

As the cards fall, luck is not on John’s side. Hand after hand, he loses more than he wins, and by the end of the evening, Alf walks away the surprising victor with a straight flush — and $300 of John’s money. Leah returns home just in time to see the aftermath and is taken aback to find David there, especially when she casually mentions that Joe has been looking for him. Realizing his phone’s been on silent all evening, David quickly makes his exit, leaving behind laughter and a few raised eyebrows.

Later that night, Leah checks in with Justin. “So,” she asks with a knowing smirk, “how did the great poker night end?” When Justin admits that John lost $300 to Alf, Leah is less than amused. But Justin insists it wasn’t about winning or losing — everyone had fun, and that’s what mattered.

The next morning, John strides into the diner with a spring in his step. He thanks Alf and Justin for the great night, declaring it one of the best evenings he’s had in ages. He’s even brimming with new ideas — weekly men’s nights filled with adventure and bonding. He plops down a copy of the Coastal News Weekender and excitedly points out all the upcoming activities: ghost tours, wine tastings, even a group bowling session.

Alf and Justin exchange wary looks. What began as one poker night now threatens to become an entire social calendar. When Justin later takes John aside to gently suggest that maybe these activities should be a “once-a-month thing,” the conversation takes an unexpectedly sad turn.

John’s cheerful facade fades in an instant. The light in his eyes dims as he quietly apologizes, saying he didn’t mean to be a burden. The heartbreaking moment reveals just how deeply he’s been craving connection — a reminder that beneath his jokes and energy lies a man desperate not to feel forgotten.

For longtime Home and Away fans, it’s a painful yet beautifully human storyline. John’s optimism has always been his shield, but as the cracks widen, it’s clear he’s struggling to find his footing in a life that feels increasingly empty. His loneliness, masked by humor and false confidence, mirrors the real emotional challenges many face after loss.

As next week’s episodes unfold, viewers will see whether John can truly heal — or if his efforts to keep busy are simply delaying the heartbreak that’s been building inside him. His friendship with Justin and Alf remains a lifeline, but for how long can they carry him before he must face the truth?

In Home and Away, hope often comes hand-in-hand with heartbreak — and for John Palmer, that bittersweet balance is about to be tested like never before.