Home and Away‘s return to UK screens is just around the corner. Fans can expect to see the show back from Friday 2 January, coinciding with a scheduling shake-up as the soap’s linear airings are now broadcast exclusively on 5STAR. 5’s streaming service will be the place to find episodes first, with new editions dropping from 6am on weekdays.

The first episode back is jam-packed with drama. The community are still mourning for Theo, while one Summer Bay resident is rocked by news of another death.

1. Cash has some big news to share

Harper tries to get back on better terms with Dana after they fell out over their parents. While Harper is considering reaching out to her estranged mother and father, Dana is convinced that it’s a terrible idea after all the times the siblings have been let down by them.

The Matheson sisters’ bonding is interrupted when Cash sends Harper a message, wanting to talk. It seems that Harper’s request for Cash to use the police database to find out information on her parents has already yielded a result.

2. Harper is rocked by tragedy

In a private conversation, Cash gently explains to Harper that her father passed away from a drug overdose four years ago.

Cash adds that Harper’s mother, who also has a history of addictions, is still alive. Harper becomes fixated on this, suggesting that her mum could have treated the tragedy as a wake-up call and turned her own life around. But is this just wishful thinking?

3. Cash leaves Harper with a dilemma

Cash provides the rest of his updates, giving Harper her mother’s last known whereabouts.

It’s an overwhelming time for Harper, though, and she still isn’t sure whether she’ll reach out to her mum or not.

4. Dana learns the truth

Harper faces the grim task of letting Dana know that their dad has died. Dana seems unaffected by the news, reminding Harper that she has no care for either of their parents after everything that happened in the past.

Dana is more focused on the realisation that Cash has uncovered the truth on Harper’s behalf. She confronts Cash and accuses him of interfering, but he encourages her to switch her attentions to Harper and why she can’t let this go.

5. Harper and Dana still can’t agree

Dana confronts Harper after her conversation with Cash. She continues her mission to remind Harper of the past, insisting that fear was the only emotion she felt when she lived with her parents.

Harper protests that people have the capacity to change, but Dana declares that monsters don’t change their ways.

6. Mali hides his struggles

With Lacey taking a break from the surf shop while she grieves for Theo, she checks in with her caring boss Mali.

Mali claims that he’s managing to cope well without Lacey, but he’s secretly overwhelmed by the workload. With so many extra duties to carry out, he has no time left over for a social life.

7. David gives Lacey some advice

Lacey goes to see David at the police station and he decides to keep her busy with some minor jobs to carry out.

As they spend time together, Lacey takes the opportunity to confide in David about the depth of her grief for Theo. She asks David how he coped with the loss of Kristina. He admits that he focused on moving forward, knowing that’s what she would have wanted.

8. Lacey faces a difficult return to work

David suggests that Theo would want Lacey to move on with her life, so she heads off to the surf shop to return to work.

Things start off well, but Lacey is wrong-footed when a bunch of flowers are sent to honour Theo. Her grief is triggered, and Mali’s alarmed when he finds his struggling employee sitting alone on the beach. The friends hug as Lacey breaks down in tears.

9. Eden apologises to Levi

Eden faces opposition from Mali and Levi, after she meddled in Levi’s relationship by hijacking Mali’s phone call to Mackenzie.

Apologising for her antics, Eden buys Levi breakfast. Levi is forced to admit that Eden isn’t responsible for the deeper issues, as Mac’s hostile reaction on the phone is a reflection of how distant they currently are.

10. Levi sparks further concern

Levi overhears Mali on the phone to Dean. It turns out that Dean has described Mac as “totally fine”, but Mali points out to Levi that she’s probably putting on a front for Dean’s benefit.

Levi heads back to work to take his mind off things, but Eden and Abigail fear it’s a bad idea while he’s in such a troubling headspace.