They may have arrived in Summer Bay separately, but Sophie Dillman and Patrick O’Connor are departing as one. In an emotional announcement, the real-life couple, who play Ziggy Astoni and Dean Thompson in Home And Away, have decided to leave the long-running drama.
When we catch up with the actors to say goodbye, the weight of their decision has just begun to sink in. Sophie, who joined the show in 2017, reveals she and Patrick found leaving their characters behind “incredibly hard”, but they knew now was the right time.
“We have both done everything possible with our characters and it was time to start a new chapter,” says Sophie, 30. “It’s bittersweet and emotional, but we realise how lucky we are to have had such an incredible run.”
For Patrick, who came into the series in 2018, turning 30 last year was a significant milestone that confirmed he was ready to move on.
“Sophie and I were 24 when we started on Home And Away,” he explains. “It’s a huge commitment and a massive chunk of my life. I felt I changed into six different people in the time we were there. There’s a lot of growth both as an actor and a person. It’s a great place to work, but I was ready.”
After several conversations in their Sydney home, the devoted couple chose to uproot their lives and move overseas, marking a farewell to both Summer Bay and Australia. Sophie says, “You’ve got to take those chances when they come.”
Esta historia es de la edición March 10, 2023 de Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición March 10, 2023 de Woman’s Day Magazine NZ.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
TREASURE & TRAUMA
The launch of the new season of Celebrity Treasure Island doubled as an eighth wedding anniversary celebration for contestant Millen Baird and his wife Siobhan Marshall, who came fourth on the show back in 2022.
JUDGE JAY-JAY
Radio diva Jay-Jay Feeney delivers her verdict on your biggest dilemmas
CASEY'S BABY JOY 'OUR GIRL IS ALREADY SO LOVED'
The Te Puke gym owner refused to let a devastating accident stop her from becoming a mother
DEAD FUNNY! SHOSHANA'S GOING SOLO
The Emmy Award-winning writer is starring in a macabre new comedy
TWO RAW SISTERS BABY MAKES THREE!
Rosa and Margo have a new cookbook and bundle of joy on the way
HOME AND AWAY'S NEW MÃORI STAR
The son of a Kiwi sporting Legend, Cantona Stewart is making waves in Summer Bay
TV STAR AIDEE 'THE NIGHT I ALMOST DIED'
The actress and director opens up about her terrifying ordeal
CARMEL SEPULONI I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A FIGHTER!
Our former deputy PM the lessons she's learnt in politics on CTI
KENNEDY & SOLLY'S ROMANTIC RACE TO THE ALTAR
The Black Ferns co-captain and her rugby star husband organised the ir nuptials in just five days!
THE BRAD & GEORGE SHOW is back!
Their lovable bromance is stealing the spotlight in Venice!