“I’m not going to lie, it was incredibly hard.”
Co-stars and real-life lovers Patrick O’Connor and Sophie Dillman abruptly informed fans that they were leaving the popular TV show Home and Away.
Dillman has now acknowledged that she “cried every day” after filming her last scenes for the show last year.
On Monday, Dillman and O’Connor, who played the couple (and new parents) Ziggy and Dean on the show, announced their departure.
On Home and Away, their last scenes will unfold over the coming weeks.
I won’t lie: It was incredibly difficult, Dillman admitted to Yahoo.
“I think I sobbed during the last month of work every day.
It’s a rather large family.
“I know it sounds cliche, but everyone is very modest.
Everyone is working towards the same objective and wants everyone to be successful.
Prior to leaving the show, Dillman and O’Connor discussed their reasons for leaving with TV Week.
It was time to begin a new chapter because “we both did everything with our characters,” she remarked.
It was now.
It’s emotional and heartbreaking, but we recognise how fortunate we are to have had such an amazing run.
O’Connor noted that Dillman and he were prepared for more difficulties.
It’s a significant portion of my life and a major commitment, he admitted.
“I felt like I went through six different personas while we were there.
Both as an actor and a person, I’ve grown a lot.
Although it’s a fantastic place to work, I was prepared to go.
Dillman and O’Connor have maintained in touch with their former colleagues after leaving the show, saying Yahoo the connections built on the show would “last forever”.
Dillman stated, “I really couldn’t thank Home and Away enough for the opportunities.
I was just very fortunate.
“I’ve worked with such amazing actors, and I’ve had such a tremendous run with plots and publicity possibilities.”
Dillman and O’Connor have been travelling since leaving the programme, sending photos to social media from Japan and Ireland.
Dillman claimed that lengthy periods of travel had previously been challenging because of Home and Away’s rigorous production schedule.
“We haven’t really had the opportunity to do a decent stretch of travel because we have worked so hard over this period of time,” she remarked.
“I want to take some time to focus on me after working so hard for so many years.”
