THE real-life soap couple celebrated a milestone after they confirmed their off-screen romance on social media.
Actress Ruby O’Donnell, who plays nurse Peri Lomax in Hollyoaks, shared a sweet birthday message to her co-star boyfriend and soap newcomer Nathaniel Dass, who plays Dillon Ray.
Ruby, 23, has starred in the Channel 4 soap since 2013 whereas Nathaniel, 22, joined last year.
The pair are rarely seen on-screen together, but off camera, they couldn’t be more loved-up.
Taking to Instagram on Nathaniel’s birthday, Ruby posted a photos of them together with him hugging and kissing her on the cheek.
She captioned the love-up snaps: “Happy birthday my love, happiest with you.”
Their Hollyoaks co-stars rushed to the comment section to gush over the couple.
Ashley Taylor-Dawson, who plays the iconic Darren Osborne, wrote: “Okay… so this is all super cute!”
And Cleo McQueen star Nadine Mulkerrin said: “You twwwooo stop it!! I smell more Hollyoaks’s babies in the future,” with a laughing emoji.
Nadine, 31, found her fiancé Rory Douglas-Speed, 32, who plays Joel Dexter on Hollyoaks after he joined back in 2018.
The couple live together and have two sons Reggie, 5, and Dougie, 2.
In her snap, Ruby put on a leggy display wearing a burnt orange dress while her boyfriend held her close by the waist and he kissed her.
While, Nathaniel looked stylish in a an oversized cream patterned shirt and wide leg black trousers.
This comes after the couple confirmed their romance with a loved up snap on Instagram last month.
Posing for a cuddled-up snap on an Ibiza roof terrace, the actress posted a red heart emoji in her caption.
Hollyoaks stars flooded into the comments with support, with Chelsee Healey, Alex Fletcher, Emma Johnsey-Smith and Kirsty-Leigh Porter all commenting heart-eye emojis and hearts.
Who has left?
Hunter McQueen – died after having a dodgy pill supplied by Warren Fox.
Lizzie Chen-Williams – also died after having a dodgy pill supplied by Warren Fox.
Mason Chen-Williams – left the village to live with his mum, unable to cope with his sister’s death.
Sharon Bailey – left to work in Dubai.
Who is leaving?
Warren Fox, Scott Drinkwell, Zain Rizwaan, Cindy Cunningham.
Other rumoured exits
Dave Chen-Williams – recently exposed as gangster Blue – will he get caught?
Hilton Cunningham – Cindy’s young son could be leaving with his mum.
Dilly Harcourt – Jeremy Blake’s revenge plan may result in her exit.
Goldie McQueen – the actress is currently on maternity leave.
Carter Shepherd – arrested amid controversial conversion therapy storyline.
Who’s staying on the show?
Mercedes McQueen, Hannah Ashworth, Freddie Roscoe, Robbie Roscoe, Grace Black, Tony Hutchinson, Darren Osbourne, Nancy Osbourne.
Frankie Osborne actress Isabelle Smith followed with a similar message: “you guys”.
The Sun previously revealed how the pair had been ‘secretly dating’ after Ruby’s split from her rugby player ex, Sam Halsall, last year.
Meanwhile, Hollyoaks alumni recently reunited for a massive party ahead of the on-screen time jump on the soap.
One of the former Hollyoaks stars who attended the bash included Gemma Atkinson who played Lisa Hunter from 2001 to 2022.
Gemma took to Instagram to share her photos from the party with some of the old cast members.
She captioned the post: “Those mates you can you go months, even years without seeing but when you’re all back together it’s like nothings changed.
“The best crew and cast I’ve worked with. My very first job. I couldn’t have asked for a better start and better people around me whilst stepping into this crazy industry at just 15 yrs old. Hollyoaks reunion 2024.”
Carly Stenson who played Steph Cunningham from 2002 to 2011 also attended, alongside Lee Otway who played David Burke from 2001 to 2011 and Kelly Condron who played Zara Morgan from 1999 to 2023.
Nick Pickard who plays Tony Hutchinson and Ashley Taylor Dawson who plays Darren Osbourne also attended even though they are still in the soap and will be staying after the one year time jump.
The party also saw Hollyoaks legend James McKenna, who plays Jack Osbourne, sing karaoke in front of a huge crowd of new and old cast members.
It was revealed that earlier this year that 20 stars would be axed.
Many of the stars are believed to be written out of the show as the soap condenses from five episodes per week down to three, with an exit storyline featuring a bizarre “time jump” concept putting scenes a year ahead.
In March a source told The Sun: “Losing 20 cast members in one fell swoop is eye-watering and devastating news for soapland.
“In the past, Hollyoaks has seen shock stunts claim up to five lives in a single episode.
“But the days of soaps having a big cast clear-out with a devastating stunt are long gone, especially on Hollyoaks where the budget has been dramatically cut.
“The necessary death toll would make almost any stunt idea totally unbelievable.”
