Home and Away's Patrick O'Connor on interest in his love life

Home and Away's Patrick O'Connor has responded to the interest from fans in his personal love life with his co-star.

The actor, who has played Dean Thompson on the Australian soap since 2018, has navigated a myriad of storylines throughout his time on the show – from murder and life-threatening injuries, to family reunions and falling in and out of love. The latter of which the Queenslander finds bemusing as fans consider his real-life romance with his on-screen girlfriend (Ziggy Astoni, played by Sophie Dillman) interesting.

However, Stuff reports that Patrick doesn't understand the attention they receive, with their relationship beginning as a friendship years before the couple were cast on the soap.

dean thompson and ziggy astoni in home and away

Endemol Shine//Channel 5

"I just think we're a bit of a boring couple," he told the outlet. "We're Queenslanders from Brisbane who like to have a good time and just enjoy the ride.

"Both our families are from Brisbane and when we moved down to Sydney, we both got a gig on the show and things have just worked out. We're just very happy and lucky and we appreciate that."

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Elsewhere, the soap star recently explained how plans changed for the return of his on-screen mother Karen (Georgia Adamson) in recent years.

karen thompson, dean thompson and ziggy astoni in home and away

Endemol Shine//Channel 5

Speaking to Inside Soap, Patrick said Karen was supposed to come back in 2021: "They planned on having Karen back last year, but it was still a surprise!"

He explained that Georgia was in a different state in Australia, and because of restrictions imposed by the pandemic the actress couldn't get to Sydney to shoot her scenes.

"I was more upset that we couldn't do it in 2020," he went on. "But I'm so glad we got her back. Everyone knows Karen is such a good character!"

Home and Away airs weekdays at 1.15pm on Channel 5 and 6pm on 5STAR. First look screenings air at 6.30pm on 5STAR and the show also streams on My5. In Australia, the show airs Mondays to Thursdays at 7pm on Channel 7 and streams on 7plus. Selected classic episodes are available via Amazon Prime Video in the UK.