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Exclusive: Home and Away star Shane Withington on backlash for John in Susie plot

Home and Away spoilers follow for UK viewers.

Home and Away star Shane Withington has revealed that his character John Palmer will be "devastated" as the truth about Susie McAllister is finally exposed.

This week's episodes on Channel 5 see Susie do a runner from Summer Bay after stealing John's money and tricking Leah Patterson-Baker and Justin Morgan to hand over their $90,000 life savings.

John has been in a relationship with Susie over the past few weeks, oblivious to the fact that she was only ever faking her romantic interest in him for financial gain.

As Summer Bay favourites like Irene Roberts have already tried to raise the alarm that Susie isn't all she seems, there's a tough time ahead for John as he slowly realises that the sceptics were right all along.

Photo credit: Endemol Shine - Channel 5
Photo credit: Endemol Shine - Channel 5

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Shane told Digital Spy: "He's devastated, absolutely devastated when he sees she's gone. But he refuses to believe, to tragic ends, that she has done this.

"He is convinced that there must be a reason why she did it, and if only he could talk to her, she could explain that she was forced to do it or that she was sick or that she needed the money for a good reason.

"It's so sad. He needs her in his life so much that he refuses to believe that she could have done that to him."

Photo credit: Endemol Shine - Channel 5
Photo credit: Endemol Shine - Channel 5

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He continued: "It gets beyond helpless for John. The story evolves for a long time and it's very cleverly done. The consequences of what Susie has done, and the aftermath of Susie, is enormous. John's totally out of his depth as a lonely older man.

"The town also turns against him. He's got a lot of sheepish apologising to do in the community before he can get back to being the lovable rogue that he once was. He's in a lot of trouble, and it gets worse! Just when you think it couldn't get any worse."

However, Shane expressed hope that John won't be put off from seeking romantic partners in the future.

Asked whether this could close the door on love for John, Shane replied: "I hope not! I'd like John to have more love interests. But I think he will most definitely be wary of dating again, it will be a long while before John swipes left or right again!"

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.15pm and 6pm on Channel 5 (UK), with first look screenings at 6.30pm on 5STAR. Selected classic episodes are available via Amazon Prime Video in the UK.


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