Summer Bay is no stranger to heartbreak, but in upcoming UK episodes of Home and Away, one of its most beloved residents faces a storyline that promises

to devastate viewers. Irene Roberts, the Bay’s fiercely loyal matriarch, is rocked by a potential life-altering diagnosis after a series of troubling memory lapses force her

to confront a future she never imagined. The warning signs begin subtly. Jon is the first to notice something isn’t right when Irene forgets a conversation they’d had only hours earlier

. At first, it seems like an innocent oversight — something anyone might brush off. But when Irene fails to show up for a planned dinner at Salt, with no recollection of the confirming text exchange, alarm bells begin to ring.

Privately, Irene confesses to Jon that these lapses aren’t isolated incidents. She admits to finding herself standing in her back garden late at night in her nightgown, with no memory of how she got there. Though clearly shaken, Irene is determined to downplay the incidents, insisting she’s simply been under stress.

However, the situation escalates dramatically when Irene prepares to leave the house one morning and hears baby Archie crying. Confused to discover him alone in Harper’s room, she searches for answers — only to find a text message thanking her for agreeing to babysit. The realisation that she has absolutely no memory of making that commitment leaves her deeply unsettled. Panicked at the thought she could endanger someone else, Irene calls Jon for support, desperate to ensure no further mistakes occur.

Next week’s episodes see the cracks widening. Marilyn is forced to call Leah when Irene fails to open the diner for her shift. When Irene finally arrives — two hours late and oblivious to the delay — concern spreads quietly among her friends. Matters grow more troubling when Irene encourages Dana to pursue Sunny romantically, completely forgetting they have already been dating for weeks. The confusion leaves Dana rattled. “It’s weird that she didn’t remember that she didn’t remember,” Dana later observes, a comment that underscores the gravity of the situation.

As whispers of concern circulate, Jon confronts Irene about seeing a GP — only for her to draw a blank on the very conversation where she agreed to make the appointment. Realising the situation can no longer be ignored, Jon suggests consulting Dr Bree Cameron. With impressive urgency, Bree arranges to see Irene that very afternoon.

What follows is one of the show’s most emotionally charged medical sequences in recent years. Bree gently reassures Irene that memory issues can stem from many causes — stress, fatigue, vitamin deficiencies — but insists on running comprehensive tests to rule out anything serious. Blood work, a CT scan, and a lumbar puncture are all performed.

As Jon waits anxiously at the hospital, he confides in Dana that he is struggling to stay positive. When Bree finally delivers the initial results, there is a moment of relief: the blood tests and brain scan show no infection, no bleeding, no obvious physical abnormalities. But the lumbar puncture raises a red flag. Preliminary findings suggest a potential diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

The words land like a thunderclap. Though Bree stresses that further neurological testing is required before any certainty, Irene feels the ground shift beneath her. For a woman who has rebuilt her life through resilience and strength, the prospect of losing her memories — her identity — is unbearable.

That night, Irene spirals into sleepless research, combing through online information about Alzheimer’s and what it could mean for her independence, her friendships, and her future. Jon admits he has done the same, but tries to remain cautiously optimistic. Irene, however, refuses to hide behind denial.

The strain begins to fracture her relationships. When Harper asks Irene to babysit Archie again, the request triggers a wave of panic. Overwhelmed by fear of failing and terrified of causing harm, Irene lashes out uncharacteristically, snapping at Harper and storming off. The outburst leaves everyone stunned — and signals that Irene’s secret may not stay hidden for long.

As Bree manages to secure an earlier appointment with a neurologist, Irene fabricates a story about visiting her daughter Finley to explain her sudden absence from work. Jon grows increasingly uneasy about the web of lies forming around them. The weight of secrecy compounds the emotional toll of the possible diagnosis.

The storyline marks a significant and poignant chapter for Home and Away, placing one of its longest-standing characters at the centre of a raw and realistic health crisis. The impact ripples across the Bay, testing loyalties, friendships and the very foundations of Irene’s support network.

With further tests imminent, the question looms large: will Irene’s fears be confirmed? And if so, how will Summer Bay rally around one of its own as she faces the fight of her life?