In a heartbreaking revelation that has stunned fans across Australia, Home and Away favourite Shane Withington has opened up about the serious heart condition that left him hospitalized and ultimately forced him to step away from his acting career.

The beloved actor — who portrayed the charming and quick-witted John Palmer for more than a decade on the iconic soap — spoke candidly about the frightening health battle that changed his life forever.

“It all happened so suddenly,” Shane admitted in an emotional new interview. “One day I was on set, running lines and joking with the crew, and the next, I was in a hospital bed with doctors telling me my heart was struggling. It was the scariest moment of my life.”

A shocking turn behind the scenes

According to insiders, Shane had been feeling unwell for months but brushed off the symptoms as fatigue from the long filming days. “He’d often say he just needed a good night’s sleep,” one source revealed. “No one could have guessed it was something this serious.”

After collapsing during a routine walk near his Central Coast home earlier this year, Shane was rushed to hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a rare and dangerous heart condition that required immediate treatment.

“The doctors told me that continuing at the pace I was going — long hours, early mornings, the emotional intensity of acting — could have killed me,” Shane shared. “I had no choice. I had to stop.”

Saying goodbye to Summer Bay

Shane’s decision to leave Home and Away after so many years wasn’t an easy one. For fans, the thought of Summer Bay without John Palmer seems almost unimaginable. But for Shane, his health had to come first.

“I’ve loved every second of my time on Home and Away,” he said, fighting back tears. “That show, the people — they’ve been my second family. But I want to be around to watch my real family grow. That means I have to take care of myself.”

Production sources tell Home and Away News that the show’s writers are currently working on a sensitive and fitting exit storyline for John Palmer — one that will honour both the character and the man behind him.

Fans rally with love and support

Since news of his health scare broke, social media has been flooded with messages from fans expressing their love and gratitude. “Home and Away won’t be the same without you, Shane,” one viewer wrote. “You brought so much heart to Summer Bay.”

As for Shane, he says he’s focusing on rest, recovery, and spending time with loved ones. “I’m just grateful to still be here,” he said quietly. “Every day feels like a gift.”

For now, the future of John Palmer may be uncertain — but Shane Withington’s legacy in Home and Away history is undeniable.

“The Bay will always be a part of me,” he said with a smile. “But it’s time to take care of my own heart.”