As Home and Away returns to UK screens in 2026, Summer Bay finds itself stepping into a profoundly emotional new era. The familiar coastal town may look unchanged

on the surface, but beneath the sunshine and sea breeze, grief, memory, and quiet resilience shape one of the show’s most moving storylines in years. At the heart of it all

are Remi Carter and Sonny Baldwin, who finally bring their long-held dream of launching Back on Track Records to life—while carrying the heavy weight of losing their closest friend, Theo Pulos.

What should be a moment of celebration is instead infused with bittersweet emotion. Every milestone achieved feels incomplete, every success echoes with the absence of the young man who was meant to be standing beside them.

A Dream Realized, But Not As Planned

Back on Track Records was never meant to begin this way. Before Theo’s tragic death, the plan had been clear: Theo would be the first artist signed to the label, with Justin Morgan stepping in as manager. The venture symbolized a fresh start not just professionally, but emotionally—a chance for healing, purpose, and hope through music.

Instead, Remi and Sonny are left building the label without the person who inspired it. As the studio space in Yabbie Creek begins to take shape, the excitement of new equipment and future possibilities is constantly undercut by the painful truth that Theo will never record there.

Justin’s Grief and a Difficult First Step

Justin Morgan, still reeling from the loss of his nephew, struggles to find his footing in this new reality. In a quiet but powerful moment, he admits to Sonny that while he’s relieved to see the label becoming real, he simply isn’t ready to commit himself yet. The grief is still too raw, the pain too close to the surface.

Later, Justin confides in Leah Patterson about a decision that marks a turning point in his journey: he has started attending grief counseling. For Justin, this feels like the only way forward—a necessary step if he’s going to survive the overwhelming sense of loss.

Leah, however, recoils at the idea. While she supports Justin grieving in his own way, the thought of discussing Theo with a stranger feels unbearable. Her resistance isn’t anger; it’s fear. Talking about Theo out loud threatens to make the loss feel too real, too final.

Avoidance, Silence, and Unspoken Pain

Justin tries to explain how much the counseling sessions are helping him, but when he returns home, Leah is furiously scrubbing the fridge—an unmistakable sign of emotional avoidance. She is cleaning not because the house needs it, but because she needs something to control, something to focus on that isn’t her heartbreak.

Eventually, Leah admits to Alf Stewart that counseling just doesn’t feel right for her. Still, something Justin said lingers in her mind: the idea of focusing on the good in Theo’s life—the things that brought him joy. For Leah, that thought leads her straight back to music, and to the pier apartment she’s been avoiding.

The Guitar That Holds a Lifetime of Memories

When Leah finally returns to the apartment, she’s caught off guard to find Sonny there, quietly listening to Theo’s lyric album—Theo’s voice filling the room as lead vocalist. The moment is raw and unexpectedly intimate, reminding Leah that Theo’s presence hasn’t disappeared. It lives on in melody, memory, and space.

As Leah begins packing up Theo’s belongings, she opens up to Sonny about just how much his guitar meant to him. Years earlier, when Theo arrived in Summer Bay, his abusive father Dimitri had destroyed his original guitar. The trauma had caused Theo to stop playing music entirely—until Justin stepped in, gifting him a new guitar and gently encouraging him to rediscover his passion.

“In this house, music is never a waste of time,” Justin had told him—words that would later become the emotional core of this storyline.

Moving Forward, Together but Apart

The conversation between Leah and Sonny stretches longer than expected, and by the time Leah leaves with Theo’s guitar, Sonny realizes he’s running late to meet Remi. When he finally arrives at the studio, Remi is buzzing with ideas—testing equipment, mapping out the future, and trying to channel excitement through the pain.

Sonny arrives with an apology coffee and admits he’s struggling to stay focused. Remi understands all too well. He confesses how painful it is knowing Theo won’t be part of the label they were meant to build together.

When Justin later visits the studio, the idea of honoring Theo is raised. Justin supports it wholeheartedly, but with his grief still so close to the surface, he can’t yet find the words to shape the tribute.

A Tribute Born From Love

Back at home, Leah finishes packing Theo’s belongings for safekeeping. As Justin picks up Theo’s guitar, memories flood back—and inspiration finally strikes. Together, Justin and Leah bring the guitar to Back on Track Records, suggesting it be displayed in the studio as a permanent tribute.

Leah is certain Theo would have loved knowing his music would remain part of the space. Remi and Sonny immediately agree. Tasked with finding the right words, Sonny draws on Justin’s earlier memory and creates a plaque that perfectly captures Theo’s spirit:

“In this house, music is never a waste of time. In memory of Theo Pulos.”

When Justin and Leah see it, they know instantly—it’s perfect.

A Quiet Opening, A Powerful Legacy

That evening, Remi and Sonny stand quietly in the studio, gazing at Theo’s guitar and the plaque mounted beside it. The grief hasn’t vanished, but something has shifted. Back on Track Records is officially open for business. Remi turns back to work, already scouting new talent, while Theo’s presence lingers—not as pain alone, but as purpose.

Fans and Critics React

As details of the storyline emerged, fans flooded social media with emotional responses. Many admitted they couldn’t hold back tears, praising the show for choosing a quiet, respectful tribute instead of dramatic spectacle. Viewers were especially moved by Leah’s avoidance of therapy and her coping mechanisms—cleaning, silence, small tasks that mirrored real-life grief.

Theo’s guitar quickly became an iconic symbol for audiences, representing trauma, healing, and hope. The memorial plaque was widely hailed as one of the most powerful lines Home and Away has delivered in years.

Television critics echoed the praise, calling the storyline subtle, mature, and emotionally profound. Experts highlighted how the show focused on the consequences of loss rather than the death itself, allowing the story to resonate more deeply.

A New Foundation for Summer Bay

Producers have confirmed that Theo’s story isn’t over in spirit. Back on Track Records will become a central hub for future storylines, with Theo’s legacy continuing to influence new and familiar characters alike.

By opening 2026 with this storyline, Home and Away reaffirms its identity—not chasing shock value, but investing in long-term emotional storytelling that reflects real life. Theo Pulos may be gone, but in Summer Bay, his music, memory, and impact remain very much alive.