Home and Away stars Sophie Dillman and Patrick O'Connor announce their engagement in heartwarming post - as she showcases her eye-popping diamond ring

 Home and Away stars Sophie Dillman and Patrick O'Connor have announced their engagement.

Sophie, 32, confirmed the exciting news on social media on Saturday night by sharing a heartwarming gallery of photos capturing the sweet proposal.

One precious photo showed the tender moment Patrick, 33, got down on one knee and proposed to Sophie at a scenic Sydney beach.

Another sweet picture captured the newly engaged couple passionately kissing at the scenic location, as the sun set in the background.

She also shared a photo of her eye-popping diamond engagement ring, featuring a massive sparkler enclosed in a stunning pure gold band. 

The pair looked like they were on Cloud Nine in the adorable gallery, with the proposal coming after several years of dating.

Sophie captioned the gallery with some precious words: 'Home has always been with you', adding both a diamond ring and love heart emoji. 

Many of their celebrity friends took to the comments section to offer their well wishes.

'Oh sweethearts, huge love to both of you. Could NOT be happier for you,' gushed their Summer Bay co-star Georgie Parker.

'Awww loads of love to you both! How wonderful,' series veteran Lynne McGranger added.

'Omg so excited for u both!!!!!! Love you both xx,' Sarah Roberts chimed in. 

In 2021, Sophie admitted to feeling 'lucky' about acting alongside her long-term partner Patrick on Home and Away.

The pair started dating after their characters, Ziggy Astoni and Dean Thompson, got together on the soap opera.

She said their relationship worked because they 'were really good friends first' - and now it meant she gets to 'hang out with [her] best mate all the time, which is such a blessing'.

'Our characters got together – and then we did. We spend every waking minute together, but it's really lucky because we were really good friends first,' Sophie said in an interview with The Daily Telegraph.

She then detailed how the couple never take their 'arguments home or to work', especially now that the characters have split up on-screen.

'When we're at home, we're Paddy and Sophie. At work, we're Ziggy and Dean,' Sophie said.

'I find when you sit in the make-up chair for an hour and you have your hair and make-up done – which is something I don't do at home – and then you put the costume on, it's a whole transformation. And then after you finish a day, you take your make-up off and clothes off and it is like taking the character off.'

Sophie's comments to The BINGE Guide come after she spoke candidly about her relationship with her co-star – and how the pair have managed to strike a pleasant balance between their personal and professional lives.

They have known each other for over a decade and even went to the same acting school in Queensland. 

Sophie has been a cast member for slightly longer than Patrick, having portrayed Ziggy since June 2017.

Rachael Carpani parents' statement in full as Home and Away star dies 'unexpectedly'

 Australian actress Rachael Carpani, who passed away earlier this month, appeared in McLeod's Daughters and Home and Away on more than one occasion..

A former Home and Away actress has died aged 45.

Rachael Carpani is best known for her role as Jodi Fountain in the hit early 2000s series McLeod's Daughters and more recently had a recurring role in hit Australian soap playing villain Claudia Salini.

She sadly passed away on December 7 with her heartbroken parents confirming her shock passing in a social media post.

“It is with great sadness that Tony and Gael Carpani announce that their beautiful daughter, beloved Australian actress Rachael Carpani, unexpectedly but peacefully passed away after a long battle with chronic illness,” the statement read.

Her family has said Rachael’s funeral will be a "private event".

"The family requests privacy at this very difficult time and will be making no further statements," the statement concluded.

In 2007, Rachael was nominated for a Silver Logie for most popular actress, as well as the biggest award of the night, the Gold Logie.

The Logies are Australia’s annual awards for television, celebrating Australian TV shows and personalities.

She has also appeared in a number of films, including The Very Excellent Mr Dundee, Hating Alison Ashley and The Way Back.

Rachael was rushed to hospital in 2021 after experiencing acute abdominal pain, worrying fans.

She wrote at the time: "I was admitted to emergency with acute abdominal pain just over a week ago and spent a few days in the ICU.

"Was then moved to the surgical ward," she added.

She eased public concern, reminding fans to "listen to what your body is trying to tell you"/

"Basically it was a case of me not listening to my body and the pain (I tend to work through pain!) and allowing myself to get quite ill."

"Yet again, another lesson, especially to women who tend to ignore their own care because "there’s no time" or more important things or people to look after, to stop and listen to what your body is trying to tell you."

EastEnders finally reveals Zoe Slater's stalker in shocking early iPlayer release

 The truth is out...

EastEnders has finally revealed who has been targeting Zoe Slater in the lead-up to Christmas. Zoe’s mission to find her son has been thwarted by a string of sinister threats, but the shocking truth won’t be under wraps for much longer…

In today’s Christmas Eve episode, Zoe was unable to relax as she was surrounded by people she feared could be harassing her, including Jean, Sam and Anthony.

Kat was convinced that Sam was stalking her daughter, after finding out from Julie that she has secretly been back in London for months.

Meanwhile, Zoe continued to reach out to struggling Jasmine, unaware that she is her daughter – but they were interrupted by Jean arriving at the pub with some unexpected Christmas cheer.

Kat’s suspicions about Sam suddenly heightened when she caught her sneaking in the back of The Vic and looking through the post.

She confronted her in the kitchen and made an accusation, but Sam explained that she was only here to see Zack, as she has just been diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer.

The pair had an honest chat over a glass of wine as Sam told Kat her fears about her mortality. But Sam wasn’t able to give Kat the answers she needed, making clear that she knew nothing about who was targeting Zoe.

Kat felt like she had run out of options, but Alfie assured her that they would look after Zoe this Christmas, and they headed outside to watch Yolande’s carol concert.

Upstairs alone wrapping presents, Zoe was shocked to find a card addressed to her, containing the Ibiza keyring that she had dropped when she fled the hospital after giving birth.

The card was from Zoe’s adopted son, who wanted to meet his biological mum after all this time and declared that he was coming to the pub on Christmas Day. Zoe was completely overwhelmed and told Kat that it was going to be a great Christmas.

As the community gathered for the carols, worried Jasmine phoned someone and asked to meet up with them immediately.

A series of flashbacks then confirmed that it was Jasmine who has been threatening Zoe over the last few weeks, which makes sense as she previously said that someone needed to pay for what they did.

But there’s another huge twist in store, as it's revealed just who Jasmine is working for, and who potentially sent her the fruit basket when she was in hospital.

Hollyoaks star Jessamy Stoddart makes heartwarming baby announcement

 "So incredibly lucky to be growing a little brother or sister for Joni."

Hollyoaks star Jessamy Stoddart has announced that she's expecting a baby with her husband Ryan O'Gorman. The Liberty Savage star has taken to her social media to share a sweet snap of a Christmas ornament with a heart-shaped cutout and a baby scan inside.

The wooden ornament has "Baby O'Gorman" written across and reveals the baby's due date: May 2026.

"So incredibly lucky to be growing a little brother or sister for Joni," the soap actor wrote on Instagram.

Stoddart also published a mirror selfie in black and white in which she's cradling her baby bump.

The soap actor and her husband previously welcomed a daughter, Joni Drew, born in January 2023.

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Hollyoaks stars flocked to the comments section to congratulate the couple on their new addition to the family.

"Can't wait to meet [your] baby! You'll love the mad gang and the park/pub," Cleo McQueen star Nadine Mulkerrin wrote.

"Amazing news!!!! So happy for you all," Maxine Minniver star Nikki Sanderson added.

"Woohoo!! Congratulations beautiful one," Jessica Fox, who plays Nancy Osborne, wrote.

"So happy for you both," Peri Lomax star Ruby O'Donnell said.

Stoddart has been playing Liberty since 2018, when she took over the role previously portrayed by Abi Phillips.

Home and Away's Levi Fowler to spiral as Mackenzie pulls away ...

 His friends and family are worried.

Domestic and Away's Levi Fowler sparkles genuine concerns for his prosperity following week, as his relationship with Mackenzie Booth remains on the rocks. As the appear returns from its yearly Christmas break, Levi is no closer to modifying his association with Mackenzie after their later tragedy.

When we final gone by Summer Narrows, Mackenzie had taken off to visit her brother Dignitary Thompson in Queensland after the catastrophe of enduring a unsuccessful labor. Levi was cleared out behind, constrained to acknowledge that Mackenzie needed a few remove from him.

Levi's sister Eden moreover couldn't stand up to interferometer. When she deceived Mali Hudson into making a call to Mackenzie, she seized the phone and attempted to mediate on Levi's sake, which rankled Mac and gambled making things worse.

In follow-up scenes on Friday 2 January, disinterested Mali and Levi both go up against Eden over her untrustworthy actions…

Levi's keen to respect Mac's wishes, so the last thing he wants is Eden speaking on his behalf and making Mac feel uncomfortable," our Home and Away source explains.

"Eden's forced to admit that she was wrong to meddle, and she even buys Levi breakfast to make up for her mistake."

Fortunately, Levi takes a level-headed approach to the situation. Although Mac hung up on Eden when they spoke on the phone, Levi points out that the issue isn't really her fault. Instead, it's just a sad reflection of where things are now between him and Mac.

Later, Levi overhears Mali on the phone again. This time Mali is checking in with Dean, who promises him that Mac is doing fine in Queensland.

Mali plays this down to Levi, not wanting him to think that Mac doesn't need him anymore. He suggests that the Salt boss is merely putting on a front while she's around Dean.

"From Levi's perspective, there's nothing more he can do, so he announces that he's heading back to work," our insider adds.

"Eden and Abigail both fear this is a bad idea since Levi's in a bad headspace at the moment. Are they right to be worried?"

Home and Away to return with crushing scenes for Lacey ..

 Is she heading back to normality too quickly?

Domestic and Away's Lacey Mill operator bravely tries to move forward from Theo Poulos's passing following week, but her strong endeavors conclusion in tears. When the Summer Narrows cleanser returns to UK screens following week taking after its Christmas break, we'll see more aftermath from the awful occurrence that murdered Theo.

As we check back in with the Bay's inhabitants, Lacey is still battling to adapt with the sudden misfortune of her boyfriend. Still taking time off from work whereas she forms her melancholy, Lacey is satisfied when her boss Mali Hudson guarantees that he's overseeing to get by without her.

Mali is unyielding that he doesn't need Lacey to come back to work some time recently she's prepared, in spite of the fact that he's subtly in a extreme circumstance. With so numerous additional obligations at work, he's over-burden and there's no time to wind down with any social time.

Lacey's father David Langham figures that she needs something to take her intellect off losing Theo, so he gives her a few minor assignments to do at the police station.

The quality time between father and daughter gives Lacey an opportunity to open up about how she's feeling," our Home and Away source explains. "Lacey shares the depth of her grief for Theo and encourages David to reveal how he coped when the family lost Lacey and Jo's mum Kristina.

"David explains that he put all of his efforts into moving on, as that's what his beloved wife would have wanted him to do. He reckons that's what Theo would want for Lacey, too."

Lacey wastes no time in taking this advice and heads straight to the surf shop, where she announces that she's ready to get back to work. Sadly, the mood soon turns sour.

A bunch of flowers arrive at the shop from a caring well-wisher who wants to honour Theo. This triggers Lacey's grief and threatens to send her straight back to square one.

"Mali's concerned when he finds Lacey alone on the beach later on," our insider adds. "They share a warm hug as grieving Lacey breaks down in tears again. Did she come back to work too soon?"

Home and Away's Harper to receive devastating death news ..

 Cash delivers some tragic updates.

Domestic and Absent returns to UK screens with a blast another week, as Harper Matheson is shaken by news of a stunning passing. Cash Newman is constrained to break the awful news to Harper, pulverizing her dreams of a more joyful future with both of her guardians back in her life.

Before the Summer Narrows cleanser went on its Christmas break prior this month, Harper was toying with the thought of coming to out to her repelled mother and father. She was driven by concern for her infant child Archie, pondering whether he'd advantage from having grandparents in his life.

Archie's father Tane Parata was concerned by Harper's plans, mindful that her mum and father have battled with sedate and liquor addictions over the a long time. Harper's sister Dana was moreover disinterested, in spite of the fact that this didn't prevent Harper from inquiring Cash to see her guardians up on the police database, needing a few upgrades on their lives.

In follow-up scenes on Friday 2 January, Harper centers on getting back on way better terms with Dana after a few tense discussions over their guardians. Be that as it may, the genuine holding is hindered when Harper gets a call from Cash…

Knowing what she must do, Harper meets with Dana and explains that their dad has died. Dana is cold in response, reiterating that she has no love for either of their parents. She then turns her attentions to Cash, guessing that he helped Harper to uncover the tragedy.

"Dana confronts Cash for interfering in the Matheson sisters' lives," our insider continues. "Cash defends himself, since he was only following Harper's wishes. He suggests that Dana should be focusing more squarely on Harper and why she can't let this go..."

Dana confronts Harper over her actions but is disappointed when her sister continues to protest that people can change. She argues otherwise: in her eyes, monsters never change.

Baby joy! Rarely seen Home and Away star who moved to LA years ago for a new life welcomes her second child

Former Home and Away star Demi Harman has quietly welcomed her second child with husband Andrew Brooks, announcing the happy news from LA this week.

The Australian actress, who played Sasha Bezmel on the Channel Seven soap from 2011 to 2015 before relocating to the US, revealed she had given birth to a baby girl in a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Thursday.

Alongside the announcement, Demi posted a touching black-and-white photograph of her newborn daughter, Florence Mae Brooks, asleep and swaddled in a blanket.

The tiny tot was pictured wearing a delicate bonnet tied under her chin, her cheeks full and lips slightly parted as she rested peacefully on what appeared to be a hospital bed.

'Meet Florence Mae Brooks,' Demi wrote in the caption.

'She arrived early measuring 21.5 inches long and weighing 9lbs 10.2oz. She's sleepy, sassy and everything we wanted in our girl. Can't imagine the world without this slice of heaven!'

Home and Away star Demi Harman has quietly welcomed her second child with her husband Andrew Brooks, announcing the happy news this week

The Australian actress, who played Sasha Bezmel on the Channel Seven soap from 2011 to 2015 before relocating to the US, revealed she had given birth to a baby girl in a heartfelt Instagram post shared on Thursday

The post was quickly flooded with congratulatory messages from friends and fans, with fellow celebrities also sending their love.

The birth comes just months after Demi revealed she was expecting her second child, having announced the pregnancy back in July with a candid mirror selfie shared to her Instagram Stories.

At the time, the US-based actress posed bare-faced in maternity pants, wearing a canary yellow shirt unbuttoned over her growing baby bump.

'18 weeks,' she captioned the image, cradling her stomach and flashing a knowing smile.

She later joked about the less glamorous side of pregnancy, admitting she struggled during the first trimester.

'I couldn't look at my kitchen during the first trimester,' Demi wrote alongside a video of homemade pizza, adding she was 'excited to eat homemade food again.'

Earlier this month, Demi and Andrew revealed they were expecting a baby girl in a playful gender announcement video that quickly went viral.

Lip-syncing to the trending 'I'm a Mommy' TikTok sound, Demi lifted her top to show off her bump before captioning the clip: 'Mamacita has a daughter.'

Demi revealed she was expecting her second child back in July with a candid mirror selfie shared to her Instagram Stories 

Fans were quick to praise the announcement, with one commenting: 'This is the best pregnancy announcement I've ever seen!'

Demi and Andrew are already parents to a young son, whom they welcomed in 2023.

The couple previously announced his arrival with another black-and-white newborn photo, with Demi sharing a typically humorous caption at the time.

'Meet Beau Thomas Brooks! Coming in at 9lbs 13.5oz, 21.5 inches tall,' she wrote.

'So far he loves his snoo, his hair being brushed and farting when everyone least expects it. He is his parents' child. We are in SO much love!'

The low-key couple tied the knot in January 2022, exchanging vows during an intimate ceremony in Palm Springs, California.

Demi announced her engagement to Andrew, a Disney producer who has worked on projects including Modern Family, back in July 2019 after he proposed on the Fourth of July.

'Just said yes, FOUR-ever!' she joked at the time.

Before settling into family life in LA, Demi rose to fame in Australia as a teen star on Home and Away and was nominated for Most Popular New Female Talent at the Logies in 2012.

She was previously in a long-term relationship with her former co-star Alec Snow before making the move overseas for a fresh start.

Dannii Minogue credits 'wild-child' Home and Away role for keeping her on the straight and narrow: 'I never had the Britney moment'

 Dannii Minogue has revealed how she managed to stay grounded after finding fame at such a young age.

The singer and actress, 54, first rose to fame as an adorable ten-year-old on the iconic Australian singing show Young Talent Time.

After leaving the show in 1988, Dannii was cast in Channel Seven soap Home And Away at the age of 17.

She played the rebellious Emma Jackson on the popular soap from 1989 to 1990, and credits the role for keeping her on the straight and narrow.

Speaking to News Corp ahead of her anticipated return to acting in the Channel Ten drama, The Imposter, Dannii said she channelled her early rebelliousness into Emma's character.

'I was speaking with a friend recently and said: "I got a year of being in physical fights, throwing milkshakes over people, saying the most horrible things",' she told the publication.

Dannii Minogue has revealed how she managed to stay grounded after finding fame at such a young age.

My friend said, "That is so not you,’ and I said: "But it was really good for me to act it out because then I never had that rebellion after leaving Young Talent Time.'

Dannii added that the role kept her grounded, unlike other child stars who fall victim to the pitfalls of fame, such as Britney Spears.

'I never had the Britney Spears shaving my hair off moment,' she said.

'I never had that and I really feel that year of just being getting that out of my system was incredible.'

It comes after Dannii recently revealed that she 'wouldn't be alive' if she wasn't so mentally strong after years of 'nasty comments' and being compared to her elder sibling Kylie.  

Speaking on Fearne Cotton's Happy Place podcast, Dannii admitted: 'I've said this to my friends: "I know that, if I wasn't mentally strong and I did have any kind of eating disorder or something, I wouldn't be alive now." That is fact. 

'It was so brutal, and it went on for years.'

And despite critics trying to create a sibling rivalry, Dannii and Kylie, 56, remain a united force.

She played the rebellious Emma Jackson on the popular soap from 1989 to 1990, and credits the role for keeping her on the straight and narrow

'I was speaking with a friend recently and said: "I got a year of being in physical fights, throwing milkshakes over people, saying the most horrible things",' she told the publication

She added: 'I was compared to my sister, who's always had a completely different body shape our entire lives.

'I wasn't living up to her body. At the time, the only body shape that was accepted was slim.

'I was a square trying to fit into a hole. You read back now how nasty the comments were.'

Dannii went on to share her priority now is spending precious time with her family and only taking on work that's 'important' to her.

She is in a relationship with music producer Adrian Newman, and said giving birth to son Ethan, 14, in 2010 changed her focus.

She explained: 'I've spent my life travelling around the world, being away, missing birthdays, weddings, funerals.

'I'm really trying to find the balance now.

'You can’t have just the happiness without everything else. If you accept there’s light and dark, it’s all part of it.'

'I never had the Britney Spears shaving my hair off moment,' she said. 'I never had that and I really feel that year of just being getting that out of my system was incredible.'

Three decades after she left acting behind, the superstar is set to return to screens in the four-part murder mystery, The Imposter. Dannii is pictured with co-stars Jackie Woodburne and Kym Marsh 

Three decades after she left acting behind, the superstar is set to return to screens in the four-part murder mystery, The Imposter. 

The Aussie star will share the screen with former Coronation Street UK favourite Kym Marsh and Neighbours legend Jackie Woodburne. 

The anticipated drama will premiere on Channel Ten on Sunday 21 December.