A BELOVED Aussie soap has been ripped off the air to make way for a sporting broadcast.
Home and Away will not air on Channel 5 from Wednesday until Friday, but keen viewers can still catch this week's episodes on 5Stream or on the network's streaming catch-up service.
The beach-based soap has been replaced this week by the live broadcast of the Snooker World Seniors Championship.
The sports tournament begins on May 7 and runs until May 11, with 16 players competing to take out the big prize.
Some of the sport's biggest legends are competing at the Crucible with the winner of the iconic event eligible to take home a whopping £20,000.
The surprise schedule shake-up comes just a few weeks after show bosses revealed exciting new opening titles for 2025.
home and away
The new titles, which have been refreshed for the first time in 17 years, were unveiled in February in a social media post.
While some fans praised the new look opener, some were concerned it signalled more changes were coming to Home and Away, including a mass cast exodus.
And while some fans have praised the video with one stating: "Great to see H&A’s iconic opening titles back,
"I’ve missed seeing the characters sitting on that amazing beach gazing out to the sea deep in thought!
Most read in TV
"Colleen Smart got a mention in a recent episode too. And Marilyn was chatting away on the burger phone in the diner! Love it!"
"I (Soph) have mixed feels. Opening titles need updating when cast members leave to stop them getting out of date.
"Also, Leah/Justin and Mac/Levi have been filmed as couples.
"But other couples (like Remi/Bree) have been filmed separately. To cut them out later??" said one worried fan.
Another added: "It's very possible with 3 year contracts for some about to come to an end."
Back in 2020, the show faced uncertainty due to the Covid pandemic, wage cuts and falling viewing figures.
Channel Five bosses decided to ration Home and Away episodes as television channels struggled with the impact of the pandemic.
Since then however, it seems to have found its feet again especially after Neighbours was axed and then successfully rebooted just a few months later.