'Home and Away' star reveals cancer storyline

Published Mar 11 2013, 12:31 GMT  |  By Sophie Dainty

Home and Away's Romeo Smith will be left devastated when he gets diagnosed with skin cancer in an upcoming storyline.

Romeo, played by Luke Mitchell, makes the heart-breaking decision to hide his illness from wife Indi (Samara Weaving).



Romeo had no signs of symptoms that he had the disease, making his diagnosis even harder to understand.

Speaking to TV Week, Luke Mitchell said: "It knocks him for six. He is completely and utterly stunned. It is huge news that comes out of nowhere."

Romeo then decides not to tell Indi as he feels she already has too much going on with starting a new business.

Mitchell commented: "He doesn't want to stress her out because at this point in time, they're starting a new business and they have so much going on.

"How do you tell the person you are closest to something like that? It is almost impossible."

Whilst Indi is unaware over Romeo's diagnosis, her father Sid will be on hand to offer his son-in-law support.

"There is some really fantastic stuff coming up for Romeo and Sid," Mitchell said.

"There is the contrast between the father-in-law and the doctor."



However, despite Romeo's optimism, Mitchell has revealed there is a very dark time ahead for his alter ego.

"Romeo thinks it is absolutely treatable and he will get through it," he added.

"But it's huge and there are a few different stages, but from the outset, there is just a dark shadow hanging over him."

Mitchell also revealed that he thinks Romeo's skin cancer storyline is an important one to portray on the soap.

"It is something that can happen to any one of any age and I really hope it will wake up younger people," he said.

"It's really important to be aware of it. It happens to such a fun-loving guy like Romeo, so it could happen to anyone."

Mitchell has already filmed his final scenes as Romeo and was recently cast in US show Tomorrow People.

Digital Spy Soap Scoop video - Amie Parker-Williams previews a big week ahead for Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.