Home and Away’s Stephanie Panozzo Opens Up About Her Real-Life Relationship | Spoilers

Stephanie Panozzo, who portrays Eden Fowler on Home and Away, recently opened up about her long-distance relationship with her partner, Josh Kelly. The couple has been navigating the challenges of being apart for three years, ever since Stephanie, 32, moved to Sydney to pursue her role in Home and Away, while Josh, 34, stayed in their hometown of Melbourne. Despite the physical distance, their bond remains strong, and they continue to support each other in both their personal and professional lives.

Their love story began six years ago when they first met while Stephanie was working as a receptionist at a gym they both frequented. Although they hadn’t met in person yet, a friend suggested she should get to know Josh, which led Stephanie to “stalk” him on the gym’s database—a detail she laughs about today. After Josh reached out, they went on their first date, where he impressed Stephanie by cooking her a curry in his wood-fired pizza oven. It was a moment that confirmed to her she was onto something special.

Over the course of their relationship, the couple’s bond deepened, particularly during Melbourne’s long lockdown when they lived together for an extended period. This made their current long-distance situation even more challenging. Stephanie admits that it feels strange to now spend so much time apart, but she acknowledges that both of them are following their dreams and careers. “We’re so proud of how each other is thriving,” she shares, reflecting on how supportive they are of one another despite the physical distance.

Whenever Stephanie is in Melbourne, she enjoys pitching in to help with Josh’s mobile woodfired pizza business, Lil Allen. She even jokes about the occasional awkwardness when she gets recognized by fans while helping out. “If people ask me if I’m eating while I’m dishing up pizza, it’s pretty funny,” she says with a laugh.

The good news is that Stephanie and Josh will be able to spend more time together in person soon. Josh plans to temporarily relocate to Sydney during the quieter winter months when his catering business isn’t as busy. “We’ll actually get to be a normal couple who live together again for a while,” Stephanie says, clearly excited about the prospect of more time together.

While her own Home and Away schedule keeps her incredibly busy, with exciting and ever-evolving storylines for Eden, Stephanie expresses her gratitude for her role and the opportunities she’s had. She says there’s “never a dull moment” with her character, particularly in the ongoing drama with Cash, played by Nick Cartwright. As for her relationship with Josh, Stephanie is content with how things are going. Although the long-distance dynamic presents its challenges, she’s optimistic about their future together, saying, “We’ll have to see what happens.”

Despite the ups and downs of managing a relationship while being in different cities, Stephanie couldn’t be happier with where she and Josh are right now. She proudly talks about Josh’s accomplishments and feels incredibly fortunate in both her career and personal life. “I’m so happy now. Work is really good, and Josh is just the best,” she says, sharing her appreciation for both her professional and personal life. The couple remains hopeful for what the future holds, even as they continue to balance their love with the demands of their respective careers.