Sophie Dillman and Paddy O’Connor, who play a couple on the long-running programme Home And Away, are a real-life couple who just took their love to the next level by obtaining a dog.
They just adopted a cute cavoodle named Winnie, who made his television debut by joining the couple on the couch of The Morning Show with hosts Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur.
Winnie has been a big hit with the couple’s social media followers. Despite Winnie’s recent (and costly) episode of gastro, O’Connor and Dillman have been looking forward to his arrival in their home.
As proven by a social media post showing Winnie sitting on his chest while the two watched television, O’Connor claimed that the puppy had made himself at home.
“I suppose we were watching Friends,” he continued, “but that’s his favourite way to watch TV.”
“Apparently, sitting on you like that signifies they’re the boss,” Dillman explained.
“Was this after the gastro?” says the narrator. Emdur enquired.
With a giggle, O’Connor said, “About two days (later).”
While their on-screen roles as Dean and Ziggy are well-known to fans, Dillman said the couple has set boundaries to keep their work and personal lives distinct.
“The hardest part is when you have a fight at home and then you have to go into a love scene right afterwards,” she explained, “but you joke about it afterwards.”
“We’re really decent, we’ve got a lot of practise, it’s alright,” said the group.
O’Connor acknowledged that one of the keys to their relationship’s success is communication.
“It has its ups and downs, but we make it work,” he remarked, scratching Winnie.
“Work stays at home, and it’s hard to think about anything else when you’re working at home with this guy.”
Dillman was asked how she felt about her recent Silver Logie nomination for most popular actress by Kylie.
“I can’t convey how surprised I was when I saw my name up there,” Dillman said. “It’s an honour to be recognised with such wonderful actresses, and I’m very pleased to be there.”
O’Connor congratulated his co-star on receiving her maiden Logie nomination.
“I’m incredibly pleased of her; she’s a tireless worker and an amazing performer, and she richly deserves this,” he remarked.
She said, “I’ll pay you later.”
When it came to the latest Home And Away twist, with O’Connor’s character Dean being interrogated about a body found washed up on the beach, the performer was careful not to reveal too much.
“He’s definitely in a pickle,” he added, adding that “the episodes leading up to this have kind of seen the River Boy side come out again and the dangerous side… it’ll be interesting to see how it works out, another murder in the Bay.”
