A heartbreaking announcement has shaken fans of Home and Away after a former cast member publicly revealed the passing of a longtime co-star, triggering an immediate wave of grief across the Australian television community.

According to reports emerging this week, former Home and Away actor Lincoln Lewis shared the devastating news through an emotional statement, confirming that a fellow actor with close ties to the series had died after a private health struggle that had remained largely unknown to the public.

The announcement came without warning, leaving many fans stunned as tributes began appearing within minutes of the statement becoming public. Lewis, who remains closely connected to many former cast members despite leaving Summer Bay years ago, reportedly chose personal and careful words to honour the colleague he described as “a beautiful soul whose presence always lifted a room.”

While the full circumstances surrounding the passing have not yet been made public, those close to the actor say the loss has deeply affected several generations of performers linked to the long-running soap.

“Some people come into a production and simply do their job,” one source close to former cast members said. “Others leave something permanent behind — friendship, warmth, humour, and memories that stay with everyone. This is one of those losses.”

Lewis is believed to have learned of the death shortly before issuing his statement, and friends say he felt strongly that fans deserved to hear the news with dignity rather than through rumour or speculation.

In his tribute, he reportedly reflected on long days of filming, shared laughter behind the cameras, and the kind of quiet kindness that often goes unnoticed outside the industry.

“There are people you work with who become part of your life in ways you never expect,” he is said to have written. “This hurts more than words can explain.”

The emotional response from the wider Home and Away family has been immediate. Former and current cast members have privately reached out to one another, with several reportedly sharing memories of the late performer and discussing possible ways to honour their legacy publicly.

For many viewers, these moments carry particular emotional weight because Home and Away has been part of Australian television life for decades, creating bonds between audiences and actors that often last far beyond individual storylines.

Fans quickly flooded social media with condolences, many recalling favourite scenes and moments connected to the late co-star’s work. Some described the loss as feeling personal because of how familiar the actor had become over years of regular viewing.

One longtime viewer wrote, “It feels like losing someone who has always been part of home.”

Industry insiders say the passing has also reopened conversations within the cast about how tightly connected former and current actors remain, even after years apart professionally.

Although no official tribute episode has yet been announced, there is growing speculation that producers may find a way to acknowledge the actor’s contribution in a future broadcast or public statement.

For Lincoln Lewis, the announcement appears to have come from a place of genuine grief rather than publicity — a desire to ensure that someone who mattered deeply to many people is remembered with the respect they deserve.

As more tributes continue to emerge, one thing is already clear: this loss has left a mark not only on former colleagues, but on the wider Home and Away audience that has spent years embracing the people who helped bring Summer Bay to life.