Why is Home and Away not on and when will it be back?

Home and Away fans will be missing their favourite soap today...

Home and Away fans looking for their daily Summer Bay fix will be left disappointed today because the soap has gone on its annual Christmas break.

Every year Home and Away goes off air for a seasonal break over the festive period and this year that break starts today (Monday 23rd November 2020).

Home and Away, Dean Thompson — Home and Away has gone on its annual Christmas break (Picture: Channel 5) (Image credit: Channel 5)

Long-time fans of the soap will already know that Home and Away's Christmas break is there to keep the gap with the episodes going out to Australian fans.

Over in Oz the soap takes an annual break for Christmas, meaning that we have to have a break in the UK so that we don't catch up with Australian scheduling.

More: I'm A Celebrity 2020 - everything you need to know

When will Home and Away be back?

While the last episode of 2020 went out on Channel 5 on Friday 20th November, Home and Away won't be back on our screens until January.

Home and Away, Mackenzie Booth, Willow Harris, Amber Simmons — The drama from Summer Bay has been put on pause until the new year (Picture: Channel 5) (Image credit: Channel 5)

We are still waiting for confirmation on what date the soap will return, but as soon as it has been announced, we will update you.

Fans will now have to wait until the new year to find out what happens to all of their favourite Summer Bay characters the soap is paused for a few weeks.

What happened in the last episode of 2020?

Viewers will be eager to see what happens to Dean Thompson after he ran away from Summer Bay with his son, Jai Simmons at the end of last week.

Home and Away, Dean Thompson, Jai Simmons — Fans will have to wait and see what will happen to Jai and Dean (Picture: Channel 5) (Image credit: Channel 5)

After the fight over custody for Jai turned nasty between Dean and Amber, Dean's rash decision to take his son will lead to a huge fall out.

But just how much trouble is Dean now in? All will be revealed in January...

If you're missing your Australian soap fix, tune into Neighbours on weekdays at 1pm and 5.30pm on Channel 5.

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.