Could this be farewell? Home and Away long-time resident John Palmer suffers a shock illness and dramatic collapse on long-running soap
He plays one of Home and Away’s long time residents, John Palmer.
But actor Shane Withington’s character suffers a shock collapse in an upcoming episode of the soap while enjoying a get-together at the home of Summer Bay newcomers, the Paratas family.
On the show, John and wife, Marilyn (played by Emily Symons) have separated over her increasingly close bond with the Paratas family, in particular Ari (played by Rob Kipa-Williams).
Could this be farewell? Home and Away long-time resident John Palmer (played by actor Shane Withington, pictured) suffers a shock collapse following his separation from wife, Marilyn (played by Emily Symons) during a get-together arranged by newcomers, Paratas family
Shane, 61, told New Idea: ‘The separation definitely took John by surprise… It has hurt him deeply and I have felt sorry for John.’
In the upcoming episode, the Paratas family invite their friends and neighbours to a traditional Maori hāngi – underground cooking using a pit, hot ash, leaves and rocks.
John, who has upset Marilyn for his abrasiveness toward the Paratas, attends the shindig, but suddenly feels dizzy, slurs his words and collapses.
Emotional storyline: Shane told New Idea, ‘the separation definitely took John by surprise… It has hurt him deeply and I have felt sorry for John’
Making good: Photos from the long-running drama show John with a drink in hand and appearing to make small talk with Marilyn (in the floral dress) and another guest (in the pink dress)
Photos from the long-running drama show John arriving at the event with a cheese platter in hand, much to the surprise of Marilyn.
Later, at the hāngi, he appears to make small talk with his estranged wife and another guest before the shock collapse.
Shane’s co-star Emily explained to New Idea that her character’s relationship with the new heartthrob in town is not romantic.
Being a good neighbour: Shane’s co-star Emily (pictured) explained that her character’s relationship with Ari as not romantic. She said: ‘Marilyn connected with Ari after he helped her during the hospital siege, and she has always just wanted to be a good neighbour’
‘Marilyn simply connected with Ari after he helped her during the hospital siege, and she has always just wanted to be a good neighbour and friend to him and the rest of his family,’ she said.
Earlier this year, Summer Bay was rocked by a siege at Northern Districts Hospital, which claimed the lives of Mason Morgan and Ryan ‘Robbo’ Shaw.
Home and Away welcomed Kiwi actors Rob Kipa-Williams, Bree Peters, Kawakawa Fox-Reo and Ethan Browne earlier this year.
New family in town: Home and Away welcomed the Parata family – Ari, Gemma, Nikau and Tane – played by Rob Kipa-Williams, Bree Peters, Kawakawa Fox-Reo and Ethan Browne (pictured left to right), earlier this year
The soap resumed filming on May 25 at the Seven Network studios in Eveleigh, Sydney after adopting coronavirus safety measures.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the long-running soap set in place strict measures to ensure the safety of their cast and crew.
They include temperature checks and scripts being rewritten to work in social distancing.
Safety on set: The soap resumed filming on May 25 at the Seven Network studios at Eveleigh, in Sydney after putting in coronavirus safety measures, including temperature checks and scripts being rewritten to work in social distancing