It’s the news Home and Away fans never saw coming — beloved Aussie star Emily Symons has finally gone public with a romance she’s kept secret for years!

The 55-year-old actress, adored for her long-running role as Marilyn Chambers, stunned fans this week when she stepped out hand-in-hand with a mystery man during a weekend charity gala in Sydney. The pair looked completely smitten as they posed for photographs, with Emily glowing in an elegant off-shoulder navy gown and her companion, a silver-haired gentleman in a classic tux, beaming beside her.

While Symons has always kept her personal life fiercely private, insiders say the relationship has been quietly blossoming behind the scenes for quite some time.

“They’ve actually been together for over two years,” one close friend reveals. “Emily wanted to make sure this relationship was strong and genuine before letting it go public. She’s been through a lot in the past, and she really wanted to protect this one.”

Fans will remember that Emily, who first joined Home and Away in 1989, has weathered her share of heartbreak — both on-screen and off. After a high-profile marriage to footballer Lorenzo Smith ended in the early 2000s, she focused on raising her son and her thriving television career. In recent years, she’s spoken candidly about finding peace and happiness later in life — but few suspected there was a secret love behind that trademark smile.

Eyewitnesses at the gala say the chemistry between Emily and her partner was undeniable. “They couldn’t stop smiling at each other,” said one attendee. “It wasn’t a showbiz display — it was just genuine affection. You could see how comfortable and happy she was.”

Adding fuel to the excitement, sources from the Home and Away set hint that Emily’s new happiness has given her a “spark” that’s noticeable even in her work. “She’s glowing,” one crew member says. “Everyone’s noticed the difference — she’s more relaxed, more radiant. It’s lovely to see her in such a good place.”

So who is the mystery man melting the heart of Summer Bay’s favourite resident? Though Emily has yet to confirm his identity publicly, reports suggest he’s a Sydney-based entrepreneur with connections in the arts community. The pair are said to have met through mutual friends at a charity event several years ago — and have been inseparable ever since.

Representatives for Symons have declined to comment, but fans have flooded social media with messages of support and delight. “She deserves every bit of happiness,” one longtime viewer wrote. “Marilyn’s had so many ups and downs — it’s so good to see Emily smiling in real life too!”

Whether she’s lighting up our screens or turning heads on the red carpet, one thing’s for sure: Emily Symons is living her best life — and she’s finally ready to share it with the world.

Watch this space — because it looks like love has well and truly returned to Summer Bay.