TROUBLE IN PARADISE HEATING UP
BEN AND GEMMA’S SHOCK NIGHT!
They’ve long been one of our favourite couples. But it seems Ziggy (Sophie Dillman) and Dean (Patrick O’connor) could be heading into the friends – albeit with benefits – zone. Or so Dean fears.
More focused than ever on her work, Ziggy appears oblivious to the fact that Dean is feeling insecure about their relationship.
“With everything going on with Maggie and Ben, the only thing Ziggy can control right now is her work,” says Sophie, 26.
Keen to reconnect with his girlfriend, Dean hatches a romantic plan. He wants to whisk Ziggy away from the Bay on a road trip to enter a surf competition. It will be the perfect opportunity for them to spend quality time together. But when Ziggy finds out that Dean has taken it upon himself to ask her boss Justin (James Stewart) to give her time off from the garage, she gives him a piece of her mind.
Can Dean make it up to Ziggy?
Their connection has quickly intensified. And it’s plain to see that Ben (Rohan Nichol) and Gemma (Bree Peters) are becoming closer with every day.
And now the pair look set to take their new-found friendship to the next level. After sharing a drunken encounter, Ben and Gemma find themselves in a motel room together!
Earlier in the week, Ben’s estranged wife Maggie (Kestie Morassi) – who has never stopped loving her husband – returns to the Bay after taking time out to see their youngest daughter Coco (Anna Cocquerel). But the last thing Maggie is expecting is to spot Ben flirting with Gemma. Maggie’s heart sinks. “Maggie is so hurt when she sees Ben and Gemma together,” says Kestie, 41. “She is still deeply in love with Ben. In fact, he is the only man she has ever loved.
“The thought of Ben being with another woman is her worst nightmare.”
Spurred on earlier by Leah (Ada Nicodemou) to step out of her comfort zone, Maggie confronts Ben.
Unfortunately, however, the fiery exchange backfires spectacularly for the school principal. Not only does Ben tell Maggie to mind her own business, he resolves to get even closer to Gemma.
And before Ben and Gemma know it, they are a little under the weather – and look set to spend the night together.
Renee Bargh scored the gig of her dreams when she landed the role of co-host on The Voice alongside Darren Mcmullen. The 33-year-old entertainment reporter tells New Idea she’d wanted to be part of the show for years. “The timing just worked out this year and it all fell into place,” she says.
“Getting the call that I’d landed the co-hosting role was one of the best days of my life.”
Here, she spills on the show and her enduring friendship with coach, Delta Goodrem.
As a former pop star – you were in the group Girlband – do you know what it’s like to be a contestant on the show?
Pop star is a stretch, but thanks for that! I do know how it feels and what it takes to get on stage though, and to give it your all and the nerves they must be feeling. So, I try to comfort them and their families, too, because it’s just as scary for them!
Have you pulled any of them aside to advise them?
Oh no, that’s not my place at all; that’s what the superstar coaches are for. I’m just a genuine fan of all of the artists and I’m there to support and encourage them.
What’s it like working with your good friend Delta?
My first day on set felt like Christmas. I went to her trailer in the morning and she gave me a great pep talk and a big hug (how I miss hugs!) and supported me from stage by smiling at me and encouraging me while I was doing my reads for the first time. She’s always been the most supportive friend, so it means so much to get to share this moment together.
What advice has she given you?
Delta is constantly giving me great advice and she’s been on the show for so long now. So, it’s like her second home. Just watching how comfortable and vibrant she is on set was so inspiring.
How are you going to stop yourself helping your friend out throughout the season?
She doesn’t need any help from me; she’s the pro! We do try to send each other telepathic messages though! THE VOICE MON. – TUE. 7.30PM AND SUN. 7.30PM ON NINE