Next week on Home and Away in the UK, viewers are in for a chilling and emotional ride as John Palmer faces one of the most unsettling experiences of his life. What starts out as

a well-intentioned camping trip organized by his mates turns into a heart-pounding ordeal that forces John to confront his deepest fears — and his growing loneliness following Irene’s departure.

A Man Adrift After Irene’s Exit

John Palmer has been struggling to fill the void left behind when Irene decided to leave Summer Bay to explore a new chapter of her life. Despite putting on a brave face, it’s clear that John has been lost without his longtime friend and confidante.

Desperate to follow Irene’s example and live life to the fullest, John tried to stay upbeat by hosting a dinner at Salt for his friends. But behind his cheerful demeanor was a man quietly falling apart. When the laughter faded and everyone went home, John was left alone with his grief — shedding a tear that didn’t go unnoticed by Justin, who immediately confided in Leah that something wasn’t right with their friend.

Justin, wanting to help, organized a boys’ poker night to lift John’s spirits. The evening was filled with laughter and lighthearted teasing — until John’s luck turned sour, costing him $300 to Alf Stewart. Still, the camaraderie seemed to do him good, at least temporarily.

But the next day, when Justin clarified that he could only commit to occasional get-togethers, John’s excitement deflated like a punctured balloon. Watching from a distance, Mali felt a pang of sympathy for the man who suddenly seemed smaller, lonelier, and far more fragile than usual.

The Camping Trip: A Plan to Heal the Heart

Determined to help John rediscover his spark, Mali hatches a plan — a lads-only camping trip into the wilderness. Convinced that fresh air and good company could be the remedy John needs, Mali rallies Tane Parata to join them for the adventure. Tane, still dealing with the awkwardness surrounding Harper as she begins dating again, reluctantly agrees.

John, at first hesitant, finds himself swept up in Mali’s infectious enthusiasm. The idea of “reconnecting with nature” — and perhaps uncovering a few of Mali’s Indigenous cultural secrets — piques his curiosity. Within the hour, the trio set off deep into the national park, leaving the comforts of Summer Bay behind.

The drive is filled with John’s old Navy stories, each one growing more exaggerated with every mile. Once they arrive at the campsite, John’s take-charge personality kicks in as he begins barking orders and offering unsolicited “expert” camping advice — much to Tane’s mild annoyance.

The mood quickly lightens when “Captain Camping” John struggles to pitch his tent properly, drawing hearty laughter from his friends. Then, in classic Home and Away humor, Tane falls victim to one of Mali’s pranks, mistakenly believing he’s eaten kangaroo droppings.

For the first time in weeks, John genuinely laughs — unaware that the night ahead will test his courage in ways he could never imagine.

The Legend of the Hairy Man

As dusk settles, the men gather around a flickering campfire. The mood is easy, the beer is cold, and for a while, it feels like old times. That’s when Mali decides to share a spine-chilling story from his childhood — the legend of the Hairy Man.

According to Mali, the Hairy Man is an ancient figure from Indigenous folklore — a dark, shadowy creature said to haunt the bush and prey on those who wander too far into the wild. He recalls a terrifying encounter from his youth, when he and his brother were walking down a dimly lit road and something enormous brushed past them.

“I always thought it was just a story,” Mali admits. “Until I saw him myself.”

John tries to laugh it off, but his uneasy expression betrays him. Mali warns them that they’ll be safe — as long as they keep the campfire burning through the night.

When John volunteers to collect more wood, his friends chuckle, thinking he’s just playing along. But later that night, as John lies alone in his tent, the laughter fades.

Terror in the Bush

A sudden rustling breaks the silence. Shadows dart across the thin canvas of John’s tent, followed by what sounds like breathing — slow, deep, and disturbingly close.

Frozen in fear, John sits upright, his heart pounding. Every branch snapping outside feels like a footstep. Every whisper of wind feels like something — or someone — watching him.

By morning, John is pale, exhausted, and jumpy. He busies himself cooking breakfast, pretending everything is fine. But when Mali and Tane emerge, stretching and smiling after a peaceful night’s sleep, John can’t contain himself.

“Didn’t you hear it?” he demands. “The breathing, the scratching — there was something out there!”

Mali and Tane exchange amused looks. “You’re not saying it was the Hairy Man, are you?” Tane teases.

John insists he wasn’t scared — just being cautious. But his nervous glances toward the treeline tell a different story.

When Mali jokingly suggests he can finally let the fire die now that the sun’s up, John refuses. “Just in case,” he mutters, his eyes fixed on the dancing flames.

Mali keeps up the act, telling John that if the Hairy Man ever touches someone — or locks eyes with them — they become one themselves. The words send a visible shiver through John, who laughs it off half-heartedly before turning back to tend the fire again.

The Truth Revealed

As the day wears on, a sleep-deprived John’s nerves begin to fray. Convinced he has urgent surf club business to attend to, he decides it’s time to pack up and head home early.

Mali and Tane exchange guilty glances. As they help John load the car, Tane confesses that the eerie noises weren’t supernatural after all. “I might’ve gone for a little wander last night,” he admits, grinning. “Snapped a few branches, threw a rock or two… just having a bit of fun.”

Mali laughs but can’t hide his concern. The prank, while harmless in intent, clearly rattled John more than either of them expected.

When John overhears, he can’t help but chuckle — a shaky, self-aware laugh that signals both relief and appreciation. “You got me good,” he says, managing a smile.

Before leaving, he brightens noticeably as he reveals that he’s planning to visit Irene in Paris soon — a trip that might finally help him heal.

Mali gently reminds him that he’s not alone, that he still has plenty of friends in the Bay who care about him deeply. Then, with a wink, he adds, “And I wouldn’t have let the Hairy Man get to you, mate. Promise.”

A Heartfelt Ending

As they drive away from the campsite, John gazes out the window, lost in thought. The trip may have started as a bit of fun — and ended in mild terror — but it also reminded him of something important: friendship, laughter, and connection still exist, even in the darkest of times.

For fans, the episode strikes a perfect balance of humor, emotion, and suspense, highlighting John Palmer’s vulnerability while celebrating the unwavering bond between mates.

Whether the Hairy Man was real or not, one thing is certain — John’s brush with fear may have been exactly what he needed to rediscover a little light in his life.

And as always in Home and Away, even in the face of heartbreak, there’s room for hope — and a touch of laughter — in the end.