Home and Away fans are in for a surprise as Xander Delaney bids farewell to Summer Bay in an emotional exit next week. The popular barman makes the decision to leave the bay and head to Melbourne to seize a promising new opportunity, but before he goes, he has one final surprise for his girlfriend, Dana Matheson.

For months, Xander has been vocal about his desire to expand his horizons and become a business owner. His initial plan was to buy out Felicity Newman’s share of the local café, Salt, after her tragic death, but when that opportunity fell through, Xander was left disappointed.

In the upcoming episodes, Mackenzie Booth informs Xander about a six-week business internship in Melbourne, offered by one of her friends. The internship will see Xander trained at a hotel, presenting him with a fantastic chance to learn valuable new skills. However, Xander is torn, not wanting to be away from Dana for an extended period. True to her caring nature, Dana encourages him to take the opportunity, reassuring him that she will be waiting for his return.

The following day, Xander says heartfelt goodbyes to both Dana and his sister Rose. In an emotional moment, Xander opens up to Dana and tells her he loves her for the first time before leaving. Dana is understandably worried about being alone while he’s away, but Rose promises to look after her and offer support during his absence.

Luke Van Os, who has played Xander since early 2022, filmed his exit scenes last year in Australia. This departure comes after months of speculation about the character’s future on the show. Although Luke’s final scenes were filmed some time ago, it remains unclear how Xander’s exit will be explained, especially considering the six-week internship is a short-term opportunity.

Luke was still seen in the new opening titles for Home and Away last week, which aired in Australia, hinting at his character’s ongoing presence until now. The emotional farewell will air on UK screens on Thursday, February 20, as Xander’s time in Summer Bay comes to a close.

Fans are left wondering how Xander’s exit will be handled, and whether it will be a permanent departure or just a temporary goodbye. Whatever the outcome, his exit is bound to leave a lasting impact on Dana and the other residents of Summer Bay.