\Summer Bay is bracing for seismic change in 2026. After decades of familiar faces, Home and Away is saying goodbye to some of its most iconic characters — and viewers are already preparing tissues.

 The End of an Era: John Palmer Exits

The biggest shock? Shane Withington, who plays John Palmer — one of Summer Bay’s most beloved stalwarts — is confirmed to be leaving in 2026.  John’s warmth, loyalty,

and gruff charm have anchored the Bay for years, and now his journey is coming to a close. While the show hasn’t revealed exactly how he’ll depart, insiders promise a “meaningful send-off… celebratory, emotional, and true to his character.”  Fans have already flooded social media with tributes, calling him the “heart and soul” of Summer Bay.

💔 A Legend’s Goodbye (Albeit Earlier)

Though not set to exit in 2026, the departure of Lynne McGranger, who played Irene Roberts for nearly 33 years, still looms large in fans’ hearts. She announced she was leaving in February 2025 and filmed her final scenes soon after. Irene’s exit airs August 2025, and it promises to be deeply emotional: her Alzheimer’s diagnosis is woven into her farewell storyline, making it as poignant as it is educational.

🚨 Surprise Return, Not Goodbye: Brax & Ricky Are Back (But They Aren’t Leaving)

In a twist that’s delighting longtime fans, Stephen Peacocke and Bonnie Sveen, who once played Brax and Ricky, will return for a 2026 event — but they are not leaving again. The duo is coming back for a special arc filmed in Western Australia, marking the first time the soap shoots outside Palm Beach for a major storyline.  So, while their comeback is dramatic, it doesn’t count as an exit.

 Already Gone (Before 2026)

• Bree Cameron, played by Juliet Godwin, has already left Summer Bay. Her final scenes aired in November 2025 when she departs to work for Doctors Without Borders.
• Xander Delaney (Luke Van Os) and his sister Rose Delaney (Kirsty Marillier) are rumored to have left around late 2024/early 2025.
• Ziggy Astoni (Sophie Dillman) and Dean Thompson (Patrick O’Connor) also previously exited, relocating in a storyline that aired in March 2024 — though they briefly returned for a 2025 arc.

Final Word: Who Breaks Your Heart the Most?

If you’re bracing for one last big goodbye in 2026, John Palmer’s exit is the bombshell no one saw coming — and likely the most emotional farewell coming next year. Irene’s departure was huge, but fans have already bid her adieu. Palmer’s exit, in contrast, marks the loss of a pillar of Summer Bay.

Get ready: Summer Bay will never feel quite the same.