Xander is surprised that Dana isn’t a total mess at the idea, but she presses him to choose his future – plus, it’s only six weeks; the time will fly by.

When the pair catches up with John, Rose (Kirsty Marrier) and Mackenzie at Salt, where they reveal that Xander has accepted the offer, it becomes clear that Dana is struggling after all.

As Rose and Xander head off to begin packing, John promises to keep Dana so busy that she won’t even know he’s gone.

The following morning, the time comes for Xander to leave.

Rose tells her brother how proud she is of him for doing the intership, reminding him that he was a bit lost before starting the course, and now he’s racing off to Melbourne for a highly sought-after opportunity.

“Summer Bay’s really been the making of us, hasn’t it?” she tells him. “We live in paradise, we’re both kicking work goals, and you finally have a non-imaginary girlfriend! Seriously, I’m happy for you.”

As Xander readies himself to get in his car and begin the drive, he hugs Rose goodbye, and as he gets his final moment alone with Dana, he tells her that he loves her for the first time.

“I love you more,” Dana replies, as they share a goodbye kiss.

With that, he drives away, ready to spend the next six weeks in Melbourne, as Dana struggles to hold back the tears.

This is the first time he’s told her he loves her, and now he’s gone.

While Xander’s plan is to only be away from Summer Bay for six weeks, it’s believed that this is actually a permanent exit from the show for Luke Van Os and his character.

This week’s Australian episodes, which will air in the UK in early April, see Xander decide to remain in Melbourne, leaving Dana with a huge decision – follow her boyfriend to a new city, or end their relationship and remain in Summer Bay!