Lacey Miller to fight for her life in dramatic stalker plot

 "It's about survival."

Home and Away star Sophea Pennington has spoken about the scary scenes for her character Lacey Miller in this week's Australian-pace episodes, as the soap embarks on its hyped-up 'Inescapable Week'.

Lacey has been stalked by Holden after he became obsessed with her, and although she took out an AVO (Apprehended Violence Order) against him, it's clear that he isn't respecting it.

Things kick off with Holden entering the motel by pretending to be takeaway delivery boy, blocking the door so she can't leave.

The soap has teased that this week will result in one character's death, could it be either one of these two?

Obviously, we're going to have to wait and see how things play out, but for now Pennington has delved into Lacey's mindset in a chat with Australia's TV Week publication.

"Lacey realises that [Holden] doesn't care about the AVO and that terrifies her," the actor said.

"They're following all the right protocols that the system has to keep her safe, yet Holden is still finding a way to find her."

"Things get very heated and, when it escalates, Lacey's reaction isn't about revenge or aggression," she continued. "It's about survival."

Lacey and Holden aren't the only two characters that the promos have been teasing the potential death of, as Remi Carter undergoes a hugely risky operation in order to remove his brain tumour, which needs to be dealt with as soon as possible.

Elsewhere this week, Tane Parata decides to go on the run rather than plead guilty for a crime he didn't commit and has been framed for.

That ties in with the highly-anticipated return of fan favourite characters Brax and Ricky.

confirms Tane and Brax's shock story - as the two fan favourites meet

 Will Brax risk everything to help Tane out?

Home and Away is airing a big event week this week, and part of it that is the highly-anticipated return of Brax and Ricky, as they meet up with Tane as part of his current storyline.

Evil Kerrie framed Tane by planting a bag of drugs in baby Archie's cot and calling the police on him. Although people tried to help him prove his innocence, it was looking increasingly likely that he will get sent to prison.

In scenes airing this week, Tane's attorney advises him to plead guilty, but Mack comes to him with another plan: go on the run.

She gets her brother Dean to call up Brax in the Western Australian outback. But the question is, will Brax risk the happy life he's built in order to take in a fugitive he's never met before?

Brax actor Stephen Peacocke spoke about where his character is nowadays, telling Australia's TV Week: "For all his faults, Brax is always about his family and that has shifted now from his brothers to Ricky and Casey.

"He's matured and is very protective of Casey and the life that they've got. He's keeping Casey out of any kind of life that he grew up with, and he's proud that he's doing that."

While Brax might be hesitant to get involved, Peacocke jumped at the chance to return to the soap

I was made aware that it had been a decade away, so when it came up, I really wanted to do it," the actor said.

"And it was on a remote cattle station and an hour away from a world-class reef, that was a sweetener. I knew the audience will enjoy it and I don't take that for granted."

Hollyoaks confirms Diane's emotional exit storyline after 16 years

 Alex Fletcher's departure from the Channel 4 soap was reported last month.

Hollyoaks has confirmed the nature of Diane Hutchinson's exit storyline, and it's set to be an emotional one. As Alex Fletcher prepares to leave the soap after over a decade in the role, it's been revealed that the beloved character will have a health battle.

It was reported last month that Fletcher had called time on her 16-year stint in the Channel 4 soap, with the actor set to film her final scenes in the coming months ahead of an on-screen departure later this year.

At that point, the nature of the exit hadn't been outlined, but it has now been confirmed that Diane will be at the centre of an issue-based storyline after she is diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Upcoming scenes will see the character disclose her diagnosis with Nancy Osborne and Leela Lomax, and they encourage Diane to inform her husband Tony. She does so, but Tony is devastated when he learns that the cancer is at an advanced stage.

Chemotherapy is an option, but doctors are unsure how effective treatment would be given that the cancer has spread to other parts of Diane's body, including her liver, lymph nodes and the lining of her lungs.

The storyline has been developed in collaboration with Ovarian Cancer Action, with the charity having advised during the writing process. In the press release, the charity states that 75% of affected women are diagnosed with ovarian cancer at an advanced stage.

"This storyline has been a completely new challenge for me and something I’ve never explored before," said Fletcher in a statement. "Unfortunately, in some way or another many of us have been touched by cancer - I know my family certainly has this past year."

"The storyline can be very relatable. At times it’s been difficult to film but I’m glad that Hollyoaks are telling this story and raising awareness about ovarian cancer, with the hope that it encourages people to prioritise their health," she concluded.

Ovarian cancer frequently goes unseen and undiagnosed until it’s too late, and often with life-changing consequences," added Cary Wakefield, Chief Executive of Ovarian Cancer Action.

"We’re proud to partner with Hollyoaks to highlight the realities of this awful disease through a character so many viewers care deeply about. Our hope is that this powerful storyline prompts more women to recognise the symptoms and be empowered to seek help sooner."

Home and away Tuesday 3rd March Episode 8673 Promo

 

Tuesday 3rd March Episode 8673 Cash’s investigation bears fruit. Sonny doubles down. Leah has big reno dreams.

Home and Away 8672 Episode 2nd March 2026

 John accepts his limitations. Remi makes a decision. Sonny puts his friend first.

Coming up on Home and Away in Australia, Mackenzie puts in a call to a River Boy as she tells Tane it’s time for him to skip town

Mackenzie puts in a call to a River Boy as she tells Tane it’s time for him to skip town while is Lacey’s situation with Holden about to turn deadly?

As Tane’s (Ethan Browne) court date looms, it appears as though all hope has been lost of proving his innocence.

Arrested for possession with intent to supply—after Harper’s (Jessica Redmayne) mother Kerrie (Sara Wiseman) planted drugs in baby Archie’s cot—Tane was released on bail after Cash (Nicholas Cartwright) put up a significant amount of money for his bond.

The decision did not sit well with Cash’s superior, David (Jeremy Lindsay Taylor), who promptly removed him from the investigation on the grounds that he was too personally involved.

But with David seemingly not prioritising the theory that Tane had been set up, Cash embarked on his own unofficial enquiries.

This was made all the more difficult when he found he’d been blocked from accessing the police database, but after gathering some names from Harper as possible contacts that Kerrie could have utilised, Cash went away for a few days to chase them up.

Unfortunately Cash hit a dead end. The names Harper remembered were all from over a decade ago, and none of them had seen Kerrie for some time.

Cash reluctantly told David what he’d been up to, with David ultimately agreeing to bring Cash back onto the case, but so far there’s still been no further progress.

This week, Tane’s lawyer Jane (Charlotte Friels) makes a bold suggestion—seeing how the case is panning out, she thinks it’s time that Tane faced the fact that he will likely be sent down. As such, he needs to concentrate on reducing his sentence… by pleading guilty.

For Tane, it’s not an option. He insists he will not admit to a crime he didn’t commit—particularly when doing so would mean accepting years away from Archie

The disagreement has drastic consequences when Jane withdraws from the case, leaving Tane without legal representation just days before he is due back in court!

With time running out and no fresh evidence to support his defence, the reality of the situation begins to close in.

“It all happens so fast,” Ethan told TV Week. “He doesn’t want his son to grow up with him in prison.”

Concerned about her dear friend, Mackenzie (Emily Weir) decides to take action, and puts in a call to brother Dean (Patrick O’Connor) to ask whether he’d be able to help someone who needed to disappear…

It’s not long before Mac hears that Dean has put in a call to an old friend, who turns out to be none other than former River Boy leader Brax (Stephen Peacocke), last seen in Summer Bay back in 2016.

Tane’s stunned when Mack later makes the suggestion that he should go on the run. But faced with a potential 15-year sentence, will Tane feel like he has any other choice?

“If he takes off now, he can hopefully be with him in the future,” Ethan continues. “He thinks he’s doing what’s best for his son.”

Those who’ve kept up with our stories will already know Tane’s final decision, with it being revealed last year that the show was heading away for a special shoot in Western Australia which sees the return of Brax and Ricky (Bonnie Sveen).

In the past decade, the pair have made a new life for themselves, off the grid working on a remote cattle station in WA.

Next Monday, we catch up with the pair—alongside 10-year-old son Casey (Austin Cutcliffe)—as they talk about the request they’ve had from Dean. 

Having worked hard to lay low over the years, reasons for which are still unknown considering Brax was a free man when he left Summer Bay, helping Tane has the potential to destroy everything they’ve worked for.

He’s risking a lot to open the door to that world again,” Stephen Peacocke added. “So when the old life comes calling, which it does, we’ve got to see whether he’s going to help out, because there’s an option that he can turn his back on it.”

But can they stand by and watch an innocent man go to jail and be separated from his son, just like Brax had been all those years ago?

---

Elsewhere in Summer Bay, Holden (Lach Millar) shows no sign of backing off in his pursuit of Lacey (Sophea Pennington), despite having been arrested for breaching the terms of his AVO.

Lacey had hoped the order her father put in place would finally curb Holden’s behaviour, but instead it appears to have hardened his resolve, as he remains determined to “fix” things with the woman he continues to deludedly view as his “girlfriend”.

After Holden broke into the Beach House for a second time, Lacey was horrified to find him waiting for her in the bathroom and called the police. Cash came across Holden a short while later and was able to place him under arrest following a short pursuit. 

With the breach of his AVO, together with further charges of breaking and entering and resisting arrest, it seemed as though Lacey’s ordeal would finally be over.

But this week Lacey’s left reeling when she learns that Holden has been granted bail, with David and Leah (Ada Nicodemou) quickly focusing on practical steps to limit any further risk to Lacey.

David arranges for Lacey to stay at the Bay Motel rather than the Beach House, wary that Holden could turn up there again, and advises her to remain in busy, public places wherever possible.

But during her next shift at the board shop, Lacey is asked to collect a set of surfboards from the beach following a class. Without any further thought, she heads down on her own—only to find Holden waiting.

Holden insists that they’re meant to be together and presses her to leave with him, grabbing her arm as she desperately tries to pull away. Fortunately, Mali (Kyle Shilling) spots the confrontation and races across the sand, prompting Holden to take off.

“It’s at that point Lacey realises that he doesn’t care about the AVO and that terrifies her,” Sophea tells TV Week. “They’re following all the right protocols that the system has to keep her safe, yet Holden is still finding a way to find her.”

Later, any sense of security the motel was meant to provide also proves to be short-lived. When Lacey opens the door to her room, believing it to be a takeaway delivery, she’s confronted by Holden once again.

Pushing past her and into the room, Holden blocks Lacey’s exit as she attempts to get away.

“Things get very heated and, when it escalates, Lacey’s reaction isn’t about revenge or aggression, it’s about survival,” Sophea continues.

Will Lacey be able to summon help, or, with a recent promo suggesting that someone won’t survive the week, will she be forced to take matters into her own hands?

---

Here’s the full spoilers for this week’s Home and Away episodes in Australia:

Monday 2nd March (Episode 8672)

John accepts his limitations. Remi makes a decision. Sonny puts his friend first.

Tuesday 3rd March (Episode 8673)

Cash’s investigation bears fruit. Sonny doubles down. Leah has big reno dreams.

Wednesday 4th March (Episode 8674)

Tane’s hopes for acquittal are dashed. Lacey’s greatest fears are confirmed. David forces Cash to follow protocol.

Thursday 5th March (Episodes 8675)

Tane’s court date looms. Lacey gets an unwanted visitor. Mackenzie calls in a favour.

Justin returns to Summer Bay in secret, before telling Leah that he doesn’t want to be in his marriage any more!

 

Next week on Home and Away in the UK, Justin returns to Summer Bay in secret, before telling Leah that he doesn’t want to be in his marriage any more!

In the weeks since Theo’s (Matt Evans) death, the strain on Justin (James Stewart) and Leah’s (Ada Nicodemou) marriage has steadily intensified.

Leah, overwhelmed by grief, leaned heavily on Theo’s mate Sonny (Ryan Bown) for support, unconsciously seeing him as a replacement for her nephew and convinced he understood her pain in a way Justin couldn’t.

As Justin attempted to help Leah deal with her grief, and took issue over what seemed to be an unhealthy obsession with Sonny, Leah continued to push her husband away—culminating in Leah accusing Justin of not caring about Theo at all.

It wasn’t until a conversation with Lacey (Sophea Pennington), just as Justin was preparing to head off to the Off The Rails festival, that Leah began to recognise how far she’d drifted.

Admitting to Alf (Ray Meagher) that she hadn’t properly dealt with her grief, she resolved to fix things—but events quickly overtook her.

When Justin was hospitalised following the train crash, Leah rushed to him, only to be met with coldness.

Hurt by weeks of feeling second best, Justin made it clear that a sudden change of heart didn’t undo the damage she’d caused, and ordered her to leave.

Next week, after discovering the full extent of Sonny’s spinal injury and that his prognosis remains uncertain, Leah decides to visit him at Northern Districts. She apologises for leaning on him so heavily after Theo’s death, admitting it wasn’t fair.

hearing that Sonny has clashed with Dana (Ally Harris)—her optimism about his recovery only deepening his frustration—Leah urges him not to push her away.

She reminds him that Dana cares deeply and deserves the chance to support him, adding that he once told her to let Justin in—advice she now wishes she’d taken.

But the conversation is abruptly interrupted when Justin appears at the doorway and sees Leah by Sonny’s bedside.

To Justin, it confirms everything he feared. Despite all that has happened between them, Leah is still choosing Sonny. Furious, he refuses to hear her explanation and walks away.

Later that day, Justin is discharged, but is frustrated when Nurse Kylie (Clementine Anderson) won’t allow him to leave without someone to accompany him.

luckily, Alf arrives at that moment and offers to take him home, but Justin makes his position clear—he has no intention of returning home. If Leah’s there, he won’t step foot inside.

Instead of booking a motel as he planned, Justin agrees to stay with Alf and Marilyn (Emily Symons).

Back at Summer Bay House, Marilyn is surprised when Justin walks in with his bag, as Alf explains that he’ll be staying a while. Confirming that Leah doesn’t know, Justin insists it’s better that way. 

It’s only after bumping into Levi (Tristan Gorey) that Leah discovers that Justin is out of hospital, and is stunned that he didn’t tell her. With no message and no sign of him at home, she fears he may have checked into a motel on his own.

It’s only when Marilyn, who’s clearly hiding something, reluctantly admits that Justin is staying with her and Alf that Leah finally learns where he is.

Determined not to let things spiral further, Leah heads straight to Alf’s to confront Justin, who admits outright that he is avoiding her.

When she asks how long he plans to stay, he tells her she doesn’t get a say—not after what’s happened.

Leah begs for a chance to explain about what happened at the hospital, but Justin doesn’t care why she was at Sonny’s bedside; in his eyes, it proves she says one thing and does another. When Alf suggests they all sit down and talk it out, Justin walks out instead.

Sitting with Alf, Leah pleads for him to intervene, even asking him to kick Justin out so they’re forced to face each other.

Alf refuses to take sides, reminding her that these doors are always open to friends in need—just as they were for Leah when she refused to return home following her release from the mental health clinic two years ago.

Alf questions why she went back to see Sonny, pointing out that, from Justin’s perspective, it was bound to look like history repeating itself.

Leah insists she went to help Dana and to encourage Sonny not to shut her out, but she needs Justin to hear that from her directly.

Alf promises to speak to Justin again. When he does, Justin admits the issue runs deeper than a single hospital visit. For weeks, he felt like the enemy in his own marriage. He tried to explain how much her behaviour was hurting him, and she didn’t listen. Now, he says, his trust in her is gone.

At the diner, as Leah continues to complain about Justin, Marilyn finally snaps.

She reminds Leah that Justin tried for ages to explain how shut out he felt, and she didn’t listen. Apologising now doesn’t automatically undo that damage.

Eventually, prompted by Alf’s reminder of the love they once shared, Justin agrees to have a proper conversation with Leah.

He admits he’s thought deeply about their history together, but it’s only brought him to a painful realisation…

“I don’t think I want to be in this marriage any more,” he tells a stunned Leah.

Is this really the end for Justin and Leah?

Here are the full spoilers for next week’s Home and Away episodes in the UK:

Monday 2nd March (Episode 8642)

Kerrie’s apology is too little, too late. Harper backs Tane. David learns a shocking truth.

Tuesday 3rd March (Episode 8643)

A shocking diagnosis is revealed. Leah turns to Alf for help. Eden’s concerned for her friend.

Wednesday 4th March (Episode 8644)

Leah’s world crumbles. Eden’s out of the loop. Can Levi get through to a stubborn friend?

Thursday 5th March (Episode 8645)

Justin and Leah are at an impasse. Lacey is triggered. Abigail guns for an anniversary re-do.

Friday 6th March (Episode 8646)

Levi talks some sense into Remi. Lacey opens up to Holden. Cash is forced to lie to his wife.