By Jane Lavender,Katy Hallam

Copyright walesonline

Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis is among the celebrities participating in the latest series of Strictly Come Dancing – and he boasts quite an impressive career. The 66-year-old performer is most famous for portraying ruthless business mogul Paul Robinson in the popular Australian soap, featuring from the very first episode. He departed the programme in 1992 to explore different opportunities – taking on stage productions, portraying Doctor Marcus McKenzie in Scottish soap River City and featuring in The Bill and Casualty – before making his comeback to Neighbours in 2004. He also dabbled in the music world, reaching Number 16 in the UK Singles Chart in 1989 with his track Don’t It Make You Feel Good. His follow-up single, This Love Affair, climbed to No. 67 in the UK charts later that same year, reports Birmingham Live . However, what do we understand about his personal life beyond his professional achievements? Here we examine the heartbreaking family loss that continues to profoundly impact him, his notable former relationships and his marriage to wife Gail, who was also his Neighbours colleague. Stefan’s brother John was fatally struck by a drink-driver aged just 12 whilst cycling his bike. The performer has discussed the tragic event and the crushing effect it had on his family on multiple occasions in an effort to protect other lives on Australian roads. Speaking previously to News Corp, he said: “The man who killed my brother was going just 30km/h. That’s all it took.” Stefan revealed the driver received merely a AUD$50 fine for the incident, asserting that a motorist who killed a koala that same weekend was penalised “something like five times that” because they are a protected species. Stefan has utilised his social media platforms to campaign for road safety improvements, disclosing how his brother’s death impacts him more profoundly as an adult. Previously posting on Twitter , he said: “The police/gov should stop raising money on speed and start concentrating people’s inability to drive correctly. Melb drivers are shameful!”. “2 of biggest causes of crashes on motorways – tailgating and incorrect mirror position. Never heard of anyone being booked for either. “This happened decades and decades ago for me, but it still affects me. I’m more affected today than I was back then, because I was only a little kid then.” Stefan has enjoyed numerous relationships with fellow celebrities – including an exceptionally well-known Australian vocalist. His initial marriage was to model and The Price Is Right presenter Roz Roy following their teenage encounter. They remained wed from 1979 to 1989. Throughout his Neighbours tenure, he romanced co-star Gayle Blakeney, who portrayed Christina Alessi, and conducted a clandestine affair with Torn vocalist Natalie Imbruglia during her soap opera stint. Stefan disclosed to Stellar Magazine that his 1990s relationship with Natalie remained a “well-kept secret” following their discovery of mutual attraction upon meeting on set. Stefan Dennis, known for his role in Neighbours, tied the knot with Gail Easdale in 2000. Gail portrayed his business rival Julie Quill on Neighbours in 2016 and reprised the role in 2021. The couple are parents to three children – Cameron, Declan and Darci. Their paths first crossed while performing in a pantomime in London, but it wasn’t until several years later that they became a couple, as Stefan was then involved with Gayle Blakeney, who played his second wife Christina on Neighbours. In an interview with the Herald Sun, Stefan recalled: “I told Gail that I was attracted to her, but nothing could happen because I was still in a relationship, so we became the best of friends instead. We were inseparable.” Reflecting on his feelings for Gail, he said: “I pretty much fell in love with her the minute she got off the plane.” Gail shared her perspective on their relationship with the publication, saying: “We were best friends for many years before we realised we were actually seriously in love with each other. “It’s a great thing to fall in love with your best friend because nobody plays games.” She further added: “Stefan is kind and patient. He’s wonderful with the children. And he’s humble.”