HOME AND A WAY STARS REVEAL 'THE REAL REASON WE QUIT!'

Soap lovebirds Patrick and Sophie spill the beans on their move to the UK

From Sydney's eastern suburbs to East London, former Home And Away stars Sophie Dillman and Patrick O'Connor are loving their new home on the other side of the world.

The Aussie couple, who played Summer Bay lovebirds Ziggy Astoni and Dean Thompson until recently, chose the area because they have a network of friends living nearby.

"They can tell me where to buy socks!" laughs Sophie, 29.

When Woman's Day catches up with them, their beloved toy cavoodle Winnie had just arrived from Australia, shaking off his jet lag by chasing squirrels.

"It was fine just the two of us, but we always felt something was missing," says Patrick, 30. "So when he joined us, it did make it feel like a home."

After a well-earned break, Sophie - whose dream is to tread the boards on the West End stage is itching to get back to work.