From Eden’s “bratty” behaviour to Harper’s controversial pregnancy,

Home and Away fans haven’t been too pleased with the show’s recent storylines.

This week, viewers have taken to social media to express their frustration over Irene’s latest saga.

The beloved character has experienced quite a lot during her time in Summer Bay, including a heart problem, painkiller addiction and alcohol abuse. She’s also fallen in love with a murderer, been involved in a bomb explosion, been kidnapped, and was most recently scammed by her ‘friend’ Bronte which left her almost bankrupt.

Monday night’s episode featured Irene succumbing to pressure from her friends and once again turning to alcohol. While some fans said they were enjoying the storyline, which is set to see Irene drunkenly embarrass herself in an interview with the local newspaper, plenty of people shared their annoyance in a popular Facebook group dedicated to the soap opera.

“Really not liking this storyline… boring, predictable, ridiculous and not entertaining at all!” one person declared.

“I think the show needs new writers and a storyline that is true to life now,” another added, while a third said, “The scriptwriting has really gone downhill. Such a shame”.

“Another pathetic storyline,” someone else replied, followed by a different user who said, “Time to renew my streaming subscriptions I think”.

“The storylines are getting very boring. I much prefer the new Neighbours now!” another fan remarked.

Irene gave into the pressure from her friends and turned to alcohol during Monday night’s episode.

Viewers defend ‘ridiculous’ storyline

Meanwhile, others tried to combat the negativity and suggested that people either turn off the TV or lean into the ridiculousness.

“So many negative comments… If it really annoys you. Don’t watch it simple,” one viewer commented.

“I love every stupid ridiculous storyline,” someone else declared. “They can be repetitive. They can be c**pola. They are unrealistic. But at the end of my work day coming home to Home and Away is like suspension of real world and half an hour rolling my eyes, sitting and sighing and eyes on the eye candy. Watched since day 1. Will keep on watching it. It gives my brain a rest from real life. It’s deteriorated to tacky soap. But soapies are fun, funny and ridiculous. Love you Home and Away.”

As reported by TV WEEK, this week’s episodes will see Leah put in a difficult position after Irene flubs the newspaper interview intended to save their diner’s reputation and later begs the journalist to quash the story.

“It’s really sad for Leah,” actress Ada Nicodemou told the publication. “She’s seen Irene like this before and is heartbroken, as she’s a close friend and she doesn’t want her suffering.”