Home and Away is one of Australia’s longest-running soap operas with over 32 seasons and thousands of episodes. To keep storylines fresh, the show brings on new faces all the time.
One of the most recent additions is Dean Thompson, the new leader of the River Boys. Meet Patrick O’Connor, Home and Away’s new resident bad boy with a heart of gold.
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Dean Thompson
Who Is Dean Thompson?
Dean Thompson is a character on the popular Australian drama series Home and Away. He ‘takes over’ the River Boys gang after its former leader Brax fakes his own death and escapes prison.
As the show’s new ‘bad boy’, Thompson is rebellious and ambitious, but he’s also loyal, passionate, and super protective of his loved ones. This combination results in Dean going to insane lengths to help the people he cares about – even if it means committing a crime.
How Was Dean First Introduced?
Dean was first introduced in a February 2018 episode as Willow Harris’ ex-boyfriend and a close friend of Martin Ashford. He’s first ‘called’ by Ash to rally up the River Boys, but he also causes some trouble in Willow and Justin’s relationship.
It’s later revealed that Dean and Colby Thorne also used to be best friends until a botched grand theft auto incident causes their friendship to fall apart. The two ‘reunite’ after Dean helps rescue Justin’s kidnapped daughter.
Who Has Dean Thompson Dated On The Show?
Dean was first paired with his ex-girlfriend Willow for a while, but her gambling addiction caused issues for the couple. After they broke up, Thompson developed a friendship (which eventually became a relationship) with Ziggy Astoni.
Patrick O’Connor: The Actor Behind Dean From Home And Away
Who Is Patrick O’Connor?
Patrick “Paddy” O’Connor is an Australian actor who plays Dean Thompson on Home and Away. He had auditioned multiple times for the show before finally landing the role. The same year his character debuted, O’Connor was nominated for Digital Spy Reader Awards’ Best Soap Newcomer, but he lost to Hollyoaks’ Owen Warner.
How Old Is Patrick O’Connor?
Paddy was born on August 24, 1992, which makes him age 27.
Is Patrick O’Connor Dating Anyone?
Funnily enough, O’Connor is rumoured to be dating actress Sophie Dillman, who plays his on-screen love interest Ziggy. We’re not sure how long they’ve been together since they haven’t officially confirmed their relationship, but speculations have been circulating for months. Patrick’s recent sweet and slightly flirtatious posts of the blonde beauty have only fanned the flames.
What Other Films/TV Shows Has Patrick O’Connor Been In?
Aside from his recurring role on Home and Away, Patrick O’Connor also appeared in the 2017 coming-of-age film Girl Falling as Johnno.
Patrick O’Connor’s Most Iconic Quotes
On shooting love scenes with co-star and rumoured girlfriend Sophie Dillman: “’I’m a dude, certain things are sweaty.”
On what advice he’d give his character on Home and Away: “Take it slow and trust yourself, Dean!”
On how he came up with his portrayal of Dean: “I want to be different and make this role my own, but at the same time, keep in touch with what it is to be a River Boy.”
The Real-Life Dean
Audiences didn’t know who Paddy O’Connor was before he made his first big TV appearance on Home and Away in 2018. Although he hasn’t taken on other projects since his big break, it’s obvious from his portrayal of Dean Thompson that O’Connor is a talented actor, and we can’t wait to see more from him.
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