Next week on Home and Away in the UK, Summer Bay faces one of its most heartrending farewells yet, as Roo Stewart confronts a painful truth: her cherished time as Cohen’s foster mother

is coming to an end. Long-time fans of the show know Roo as a fiercely loyal and protective figure, and her bond with Cohen has grown stronger with every twist and turn of the storyline.

But in the upcoming episodes, that bond is about to be tested in ways that will leave viewers reaching for the tissues.

Cohen’s relationship with his father, Adrien, has deepened significantly in recent weeks. Once a distant presence in his life, Adrien has been steadily building bridges, earning Cohen’s trust and sparking hope for a brighter family connection. In a storyline that tugs at every heartstring, Adrien now plans to introduce Cohen to his wider family during a major birthday celebration for Cohen’s grandmother. For Adrien, this is more than a party—it’s a statement. He wants his son to feel fully welcomed into his extended family and to understand the legacy he comes from. For Cohen, the excitement is palpable; he can’t wait to meet his cousins and finally feel a sense of belonging with the paternal side he’s only recently begun to know.

For Roo, however, the whirlwind of new family connections brings a mix of joy and anxiety. She worries that the pace of these developments may be too fast for Cohen, whose life has already been marked by uncertainty and upheaval. Roo’s instincts as a foster mother, honed through years of loving and protecting children in Summer Bay, urge her to proceed with caution. But Adrien remains insistent, convinced that this step is the right one—not just for Cohen, but for the family as a whole.

Beneath the surface, Alf Stewart, ever the voice of reason and keen observer, senses that Adrien’s plan carries more weight than Roo initially realizes. When Adrien discusses Cohen’s future, Alf grows suspicious. He sees the truth behind Adrien’s carefully orchestrated introduction: this is about more than family bonding—it’s about custody. Adrien isn’t just bringing Cohen into his family temporarily; he’s preparing to take him away permanently.

In a quiet, emotionally charged moment, Roo attempts to slow the process, gently suggesting that perhaps Cohen needs more time to adjust. But Adrien, unwavering, finally reveals his true intention: he wants full custody of his son. The news hits Roo like a thunderbolt. She has poured her heart into caring for Cohen, nurturing him through challenges and celebrating his triumphs, and now she faces the unimaginable—letting go of a child who has become a central part of her life.

When the pivotal moment arrives, Adrien comes to Summer Bay House to collect Cohen. Roo watches in stunned silence as Adrien drops the bombshell: he wants Cohen to live with him permanently. The young boy hesitates, torn between loyalty to his father and love for his foster mother. In a twist that leaves viewers holding their breath, Cohen says no—hesitation shadowed by fear of causing Roo pain. Adrien, hurt and frustrated, lashes out, accusing Roo of turning his son against him. It’s a tense, emotionally charged confrontation that pits parental authority against foster love, highlighting the complex dynamics of family, care, and loyalty.

Alf, ever the steady hand in Summer Bay, steps in. His voice cuts through the storm, delivering a sobering truth to Adrien: he pushed too hard, too fast. The confrontation is a rare moment where Roo and Alf’s guidance and emotional intelligence collide with Adrien’s determination, creating a perfect storm of tension that will leave fans captivated.

The emotional twist deepens when Roo discovers the real reason behind Cohen’s refusal. He only said no because he didn’t want to hurt her. The revelation leaves Roo shattered, realizing that the young boy she has grown to love is grappling with his own emotions, torn between two figures who care deeply for him. In a tear-filled, poignant scene, Roo assures Cohen that his happiness is paramount, demonstrating the selflessness and depth of her character. It’s a moment that underscores Roo’s enduring compassion, even as she faces profound personal loss.

With a heavy heart, Roo witnesses the inevitable. Adrien returns to Summer Bay House, and Cohen quietly reveals he is ready to leave, already packed and prepared to start a new chapter with his father. Alf and Roo struggle to hold back their tears as Cohen thanks them for giving him the love and stability he desperately needed. Alf hands him a fishing rod, a symbolic token of their time together and the lessons learned in Summer Bay. Roo forces a brave smile, promising Cohen the adventure of a lifetime awaits him, even as her heart aches with the knowledge of what she is losing.

In a moment of devastating tenderness, Cohen turns to Roo, lips trembling, whispering, “You and Alf will always be my family.” Then, in a scene that will leave viewers weeping, he runs back inside to throw his arms around her in a desperate, tearful hug. Alf watches on, his face a mirror of grief, as the young boy Roo dreamed of adopting walks out of her life forever. As the door closes, Roo collapses, her sobs echoing through the empty house. It’s a gut-wrenching farewell that leaves Roo—and the audience—questioning whether she can ever open her heart again.

The emotional weight of this storyline is compounded by Roo’s previous losses in Summer Bay. Having already endured the heartache of losing Eliza, this new departure reinforces the recurring theme of impermanence and the fragility of relationships within the show. Viewers are reminded of the sacrifices that come with love and care, and the resilience required to endure repeated heartbreak.

This upcoming arc is more than just a farewell—it’s a masterclass in character development, exploring the complexities of parental rights, foster care, and the bonds that transcend legal definitions of family. Roo’s journey is a testament to her enduring strength, empathy, and the fierce love that has defined her role in Summer Bay for years. Cohen’s departure will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on her character, shaping her future storylines and challenging her to navigate life with yet another absence to grieve.

For fans, this storyline is a bittersweet reminder of Home and Away’s ability to blend heart-wrenching drama with deeply relatable human emotions. Roo’s heartbreak, Cohen’s growth, and Adrien’s pursuit of paternal rights converge to create an emotionally charged sequence that promises to dominate conversations and social media threads in the coming week.

As Summer Bay braces for this tearful farewell, Roo’s character emerges not just as a figure of sorrow, but as a beacon of love, compassion, and resilience. She has given Cohen a home, a sense of belonging, and memories he will carry forever—and while the door may close on this chapter, her impact on his life remains indelible.

Next week’s episodes will air with heightened anticipation in the UK, bringing viewers a drama-filled, emotional ride through family bonds, sacrifice, and the bittersweet nature of letting go. Roo Stewart’s heartbreak is palpable, and Cohen’s quiet departure serves as a powerful reminder that in Summer Bay, love is both enduring and, sometimes, painfully fleeting.