Home and Away reveals Dean Thompson’s return sparks tense showdown.

Home and Away reveals Dean Thompson’s return sparks tense showdown.

Home and Away will kick off Dean Thompson’s return storyline in the UK next week — and it’s set to be a dramatic meeting with Levi Fowler.

In scenes set to air on Friday 2 May, Levi announces to Mackenzie Booth that his marriage to estranged wife Imogen is over following the revelation of his affair last year.

As they celebrate over a bottle of champagne, he announces he’s booked them a surprise trip to Queensland.

“Levi’s marriage to Imogen ended in tears when his affair was revealed, but their divorce has been surprisingly amicable,” our Home and Away insider shares.

“One year on, Imogen has found happiness with someone else and is ready to move on. Levi still feels guilty over how things ended, but the divorce gives him the closure he needed.”

dean thompson in home and away

Channel 5

However, the mood sours when Levi says he’d like to meet Mackenzie’s brother Dean while they’re out there.

Mackenzie warns him it’s maybe not a good idea and insists that they need to talk about it in detail right now.

levi fowler and mackenzie booth in home and away

Channel 5

“Dean has never met Levi, but he’s always made it clear to Mackenzie from afar that he doesn’t approve of her new man,” our source adds.

“Dean reckons that Levi messed Mac around by letting her be ‘the other woman’ for so long. It’s sure to be frosty when they come face-to-face for the first time…”

Home and Away fans in the UK are in for a gripping reunion next week as long-time favourite Dean Thompson makes his return to Summer Bay—just in time for a long-overdue clash with his sister Mackenzie’s controversial boyfriend, Levi Fowler. Set to air on Friday, 2 May, this highly anticipated encounter is bound to stir the pot and shake up Mackenzie’s new romance.


Levi Drops a Bombshell

In the episode, Levi stuns Mackenzie with unexpected news: his marriage to Imogen, which had been hanging by a thread since his affair was exposed last year, is officially over. He explains that the split, while painful, has been amicable. With the ink barely dry on the divorce papers, Levi insists he’s ready for a fresh start—with Mac by his side.

To celebrate, he pops open a bottle of champagne and surprises her with a spontaneous trip to Queensland. It’s meant to be a romantic gesture, a clean slate after months of scandal.

Levi (smiling): “No more secrets. No more waiting. Just you, me, and the beach.”

But just as Mackenzie lets herself bask in the idea of a future together, Levi throws a curveball: he wants to meet her brother, Dean.


Mackenzie Sounds the Alarm

Mackenzie immediately stiffens. For months, she’s managed to keep Levi and Dean apart, knowing full well her brother’s protective instincts and hot temper. Dean’s disapproval of Levi has been crystal clear—even from a distance.

Mackenzie (uneasy): “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Levi. You don’t know him like I do.”

She tries to delay the conversation, but Levi is insistent. From his perspective, if he’s going to be a part of her future, he needs to be accepted by her family—starting with Dean.

Our Home and Away insider elaborates:

“Dean has always been outspoken about Levi. He feels Levi messed Mackenzie around by keeping her in the shadows while married to Imogen. That betrayal cut deep, and Dean won’t forget it easily. This won’t be a warm welcome.”


Why Dean’s Return Matters

Dean’s return isn’t just symbolic—it’s personal. He’s always been fiercely loyal to Mackenzie, and her past heartbreak still haunts him. As viewers know, Levi’s double life placed Mac in a deeply vulnerable position, unknowingly becoming “the other woman” in a love triangle she never agreed to.

Dean’s no stranger to conflict, and if he believes Levi isn’t good enough for his sister, he won’t hold back. With his protective nature and a lingering grudge, expect sparks to fly the moment these two lock eyes.

Dean (in preview clip): “If you came here to play happy families, you’re about a year too late, mate.”


What’s Next for Levi and Mackenzie?

With Dean’s return looming and tensions rising, Mac finds herself stuck in the middle. She’s worked hard to rebuild trust with Levi, but will her brother’s opinion sway her heart?

Insiders tease that the Queensland trip may turn into anything but a holiday, with Levi forced to defend his relationship and prove once and for all that he’s serious about changing.

“There’s a storm coming,” says our source. “Dean has never liked people hurting Mac—and Levi’s past is about to catch up with him.”

With unfinished business, sibling loyalty, and the shadow of a past betrayal hanging over them, Friday’s episode is set to deliver drama, emotional conflict, and a family showdown that could change everything.

Home and Away will kick off Dean Thompson’s return storyline in the UK next week — and it’s set to be a dramatic meeting with Levi Fowler. In scenes set to air on Friday 2 May, Levi announces to Mackenzie Booth that his marriage to estranged wife Imogen is over following the revelation of his affair last year. As they celebrate…