From reel life to real life: Home and Away stars Patrick O’Connor and Sophie Dillman’s relationship in pictures

Their chemistry is sizzling on and off-set.

Summer Bay has long been a breeding ground for Home and Away stars to find romance.

Bec Hewitt (nee Cartwright) and Beau Brady, Luke Mitchell and Rebecca Breeds, Chris Hemsworth and Isabel Lucas and married couple James Stewart and Sarah Roberts are all among the Home and Away stars to thrill fans by dating when the cameras weren't rolling.

Loved-up co-stars Sophie Dillman and Patrick O'Connor have quickly become one of our favourite couples ever.

But unlike many of their fellow lovebirds, Sophie and Patrick actually met long before stepping foot into the fictional small town.

"We actually knew each other at uni - we went to acting school together years ago," Sophie, 29, told The Morning Show in March 2021.

"We were friends then, and then we were in different years, so we didn't really see each other - but then when found each other on the show. And conveniently, our characters got together on the show."

In September 2020, Sophie and her real-life boyfriend Patrick's on-screen characters Ziggy and Dean's heart-wrenching break-up scenes were aired.

And while many fans were grappling with their split, Sophie says they were able to separate the fictional storyline having any impact on their personal lives.

"We're both actors by profession so our aim was to make it the best work that we could do and we were really proud for doing that," she explained.

The couple, who were both born in Queensland, now live together in Sydney and have worked closely on set for years.

While it's easy to imagine the TV stars living a life of glitz and glamour, Sophie says her favourite dates with Patrick are surprisingly low-key.

"I love a home cooked meal. When I've had a really big day at work, coming home and my partner having cooked dinner is my favourite thing in the world," Sophie told Now To Love in early 2022.

He's a very good cook. We've had some great meals together."

She even confessed that - like all couples - they have their moments, especially when it comes to things like long drives in the car together. But they try to be on their best behaviour for one another.

"Patty and I are really lucky, we've done a fair few road trips together and we seem to do alright. I don't think we've ever had any really major fights," she laughed.

The fun they share spills over into their social life and the couple are never afraid to share lighthearted selfies with their followers.

Scroll on to see Sophie and Patrick's relationship in pictures.

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The pair jetted off to Europe in July 2022, soaking in the sun in Greece where they snapped this cute couple selfie.
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Mykonos suits them! As do their coordinated sunnies.
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For Sophie's 30th birthday on July 2 in 2022, Patrick shared a series of cute couple snaps with a touching caption for his love.
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"Happy Birthday baby! I love you to the moon and back! Dirty thirties here we go," he wrote.
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Ever the lowkey couple, Sophie and Patrick enjoyed a casual Italian dinner with family and ended up twinning in their matching black outfits.
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Sophie and Patrick couldn't have possibly looked more in love as they headed to the 2022 TV WEEK Logie Awards in June.
(Image: Instagram/Jade Piper Photography)

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If there was a "best dressed couple" award we'd definitely give it to these two!
(Image: Instagram/Jade Piper Photography)

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Making the most of a break from filming, the cute couple headed off on a holiday together in April 2022.
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Just a few days earlier Patrick shared this snap with the caption: "My numero uno in melbourno."
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This lucky duo get to spend plenty of time together at work too, Sophie sharing this snap of her and Patrick on set for Home And Away... if you can call this stunning beach backdrop a set.
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Sophie and Patrick shared this happy snap from a date night in January and we have to say 2022 looks like it's off to a good start for the duo.
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Dressed up to the nines! We're not sure what's going on in this picture, but it sure looks chic.
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The couple rang in the new year together, Sophie sharing this smiley snap with the caption "HNY!"
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Talk about a relatable moment! Patrick shared this goofy snap with Sophie and captioned it: "She's secretly a ballerina 💃"
(Instagram)

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"Happy birthday to this young stud! You make every day better. ❤️❤️❤️," wrote Sophie for her beau's big day.
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These two Queenslanders love a good water activity.
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Date night at a classy establishment in Sydney!
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For Sophie's birthday Patrick penned this touching tribute: "Happy birthday to my number one ❤️ so proud of you and couldn't imagine doing this crazy life without you, thank you for everything xx."
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These two are happiest near a beach, but not more than when they're together.
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"That's amore bro."
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Date night at the races!
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Just a goofy little facetime between the couple...
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Taking their romance to the next level! The loved up pair welcomed a perfect puppy called Winnie into their family in March 2021.
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We love watching this colourful pair joke about on and off screen.
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"Thankfully, Ziggy and Dean are very different to Patty and Sophie," the actress explained to TV WEEK of their off-screen dynamic.
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"We were work buddies first, and it's helped us work well together now, so we're lucky in that regard. It's nice to have a relationship built on friendship. At the core we are best mates first and we treat each other like that, but it's also made our relationship stronger starting out that way," the actress has mused.
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"I think Sophie's an amazing actress and it's a good feeling on set to know you're comfortable with each other," Patrick has said of his leading lady.
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The loved-up pair rung in the festive season together with Patrick sharing this sweet beach selfie with his girlfriend in the days after Christmas.
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The couple, who were both born in Queensland, now live together in Sydney and have worked closely on set for years.
(Image: Phillip Castleton/TV WEEK)

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During lockdown 2020, Patrick posted this snap captioned, "dreamin of simpler times."
Image: Instagram

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If the shoe fits! Sophie and Patrick aren't afraid to have a little fun.
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The Home and Away Christmas special saw festive fever for the couple.
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When life imitates art: Patrick and Sophie's characters Dean and Ziggy have a complicated relationship.
Image: Channel Seven

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The look of love!
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With rigs like that, we can't blame these two for being attracted to one another.
Image: Channel Seven

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Nothing like a little country air to bring these two closer together.
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"She's trying to stop me getting on the horse," Patrick joked during a day out at the races.
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Steamy scenes can sometimes be awkward, Sophie admits.
Image: Channel Seven

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Matchy matchy! Patrick fits right in with Sophie's family after donning this Christmas-themed outfit.
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Patrick joked that he's always capturing Sophie's best side.
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Just another day at work!
Image: Channel Seven

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"Beauty knows no bounds," Patrick wrote alongside this shot.
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These two scrubbed up well for the 2019 TV WEEK Logie Awards.
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We'll just leave this one here...
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Ah, young love.
Image: Instagram