Terror in Home and Away as THIS Summer Bay legend faces PRISON

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There's trouble ahead for Home and Away's Irene Roberts...

It looks like Home and Away favourite Irene could be facing a long stint in prison thanks to her spontaneous attack on Bella Nixon's attacker, Tommy.

Home and Away fans will know that Irene saved Bella from being sexually assaulted by Tommy after she came home to find him in their house.

Home and Away, Irene Roberts, Bella Nixon, Tommy

Irene hit stalker Tommy over the head when she found him attacking Bella (Picture: Channel 5)

As Tommy attacked Bella, who he had been grooming online for weeks, Irene grabbed a vase and hit him over the head.

But shortly afterwards, when his actions triggered long-buried memories of when she was abused as a child, Irene saw red and lashed out again, this time leaving Tommy fighting for his life in a coma.

And while her actions were to save Bella, Irene has found herself in a whole heap of trouble for hitting Tommy, and she now faces a court battle against him.

Home and Away, Irene Roberts, Leah Patterson

Irene has been struggling since Tommy's attack (Picture: Channel 5)

But while Irene has a good chance of getting a more lenient sentence if Bella testifies in person in court, it seems the teenager isn't in the right head space to see her attacker face-to-face once again.

Today's Home and Away (6pm, see our TV Guide for full listings) sees Bella getting drunk at Ryder's party to try and numb the pain of what happened to her. But after one beer too many, it is left up to Ryder to take her back to his house to sober up.

But the pair end up in trouble when drunk Bella falls asleep on Ryder's bed, only for Alf and Colby to catch them in the same room together the next morning.

Home and Away, Bella Nixon, Colby Thorne, Alf Stewart

Bella is caught in Ryder's room in today's Home and Away (Picture: Channel 5)

Even though Ryder is innocent and was just looking out for his friend, Colby sees red and worries that history is repeating itself.

But while Bella is suffering from nothing more than a hangover from the party, it seems there is a greater issue when it is revealed Bella was drinking to forget about having to testify.

MORE: Sudden DEATH SHOCK heading for THIS EastEnders legend next week 

As Colby tries to talk to his sister, she reveals that she doesn't think she can go through with helping Irene but feels she should because Irene got into trouble while saving her from Tommy.

But Colby is adamant that she can't go through with it and tells Irene the bad news.

Home and Away, Colby Thorne, Irene Roberts

Colby has some bad news for Irene on Home and Away today (Picture: Channel 5)

Irene understands that it was a big ask getting Belle to stand up in court, and she pretends it's fine that Bella can't go through with it.

But without Bella's statement, the future is looking bleak for Irene... will she now be facing a lengthy stint in prison for standing up to Tommy?

Watch Home and Away every weekday at 1.15pm and 6pm on Channel 5

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.