The real-life romance of *Home and Away* stars Sophie Dillman and Patrick O’Connor,

who played beloved on-screen couple Ziggy Astoni and Dean Thompson, has captivated fans both

on and off the screen. The two stars started dating in 2019 and have since shared glimpses of

their relationship with their fans. Even though they’ve departed from *Home and Away*, their love story continues to thrive.

Sophie and Patrick first met years ago while attending acting school together but reconnected while filming *Home and Away*. As their characters fell in love, so did they. Although their on-screen relationship faced its challenges in 2020, their real-life romance has remained strong. In early 2023, the couple decided to swap the sunny beaches of Australia for the bustling streets of East London, with Sophie expressing her dream of performing on the West End stage.

Speaking about their relationship, Sophie shared how their friendship laid a strong foundation for their romance. In an interview with *TV Week*, she said, “We’re best mates first, and that makes our relationship stronger. We’re very open with each other and always say what we need, which has really helped us.”

Fans were left wondering about Sophie and Patrick’s next steps after their departure from *Home and Away*. Sophie revealed that they felt they had done everything possible with their characters and were ready for a new chapter in life. But in exciting news, the couple confirmed their highly anticipated return to *Home and Away* in 2025, much to the delight of their fans. Sophie shared her excitement with *Seven*, saying, “It feels so good to be home,” while Patrick teased that fans are in for an action-packed storyline when they return.