Home and Away Valerie's link to Summer Bay exposed after romance with co-star

 Home and Away fans were recently introduced to mysterious newcomer Valerie – but what they may not know is that actress Courtney Clarke already has ties to Summer Bay.

The actress who plays Valerie has a surprising link to Summer Bay.

Courtney Clarke made her debut as Valerie during Tuesday's instalment (March 19) of Home and Away. She was introduced as Leah Patterson's (Ada Nicodemou) roommate from the mental health clinic.

After hearing all about Leah and Justin Morgan's (James Stewart) relationship, Valerie was stunned that Leah hadn't gone straight home to him after being discharged from the clinic. Meanwhile Courtney has a link to the soap within her past.

Last year, reports emerged that Courtney was dating her co-star Lincoln Younes. Home and Away fans will recognise that name as the actor starred as Casey Braxton from 2011 until 2014.

Courtney and Lincoln, 32, met while filming the Paramount+ biopic, Last King of the Cross, in 2022. Lincoln plays the lead role of John Ibrahim in the 10-part drama series, while Courtney portrays Brooke in two episodes.

The TV duo were first spotted together in April 2023 after a lunch date in Sydney. The Daily Telegraph Australia confirmed the couple had been seeing each other quietly in October.

It is unknown whether Lincoln and Courtney are still an item as they haven't been spotted together since and both remain notoriously private about their love lives. Back on the soap, it looks as though Valerie could strike up a romance with Theo Poulos (Matt Evans).

Next week, Theo and Valerie head for a drink at Salt. It's clear she's reluctant to talk about her past, but is also keen to get to know Theo better.

Theo apologises if he overstepped the mark by asking about Valerie's family, but she responds by opening up to him. She shares the difficult story of her brother picking her up from a party and the intense argument that followed in the car ride home.

Their dispute resulted in the car landing upside-down. Valerie reveals that her brother died in the crash and her parents never forgave her.