Home and Away fans were recently introduced to mysterious newcomer Valerie – but what they may not know is that actress Courtney Clarke already has ties to Summer Bay
Remarkably, the actress who plays Valerie is related to Summer Bay.
The character Valerie was first seen on Tuesday, March 19, in the episode of Home and Away starring Courtney Clarke. She was identified as the mental health clinic roommate of Ada Nicodemou’s character, Leah Patterson.
Valerie was shocked to learn that Leah hadn’t gone directly home to James Stewart’s character, Justin Morgan, after being released from the clinic. Courtney, meanwhile, has a connection to the soap opera from her past.
Last year, reports emerged that Courtney was dating her co-star Lincoln Younes. Home and Away fans will recognise that name as the actor starred as Casey Braxton from 2011 until 2014.
Courtney and Lincoln, 32, met while filming the Paramount+ biopic, Last King of the Cross, in 2022. Lincoln plays the lead role of John Ibrahim in the 10-part drama series, while Courtney portrays Brooke in two episodes.
The TV duo were first spotted together in April 2023 after a lunch date in Sydney. The Daily Telegraph Australia confirmed the couple had been seeing each other quietly in October.
It is unknown whether Lincoln and Courtney are still an item as they haven’t been spotted together since and both remain notoriously private about their love lives. Back on the soap, it looks as though Valerie could strike up a romance with Theo Poulos (Matt Evans).
Next week, Theo and Valerie head for a drink at Salt. It’s clear she’s reluctant to talk about her past, but is also keen to get to know Theo better.
Valerie answers to Theo’s apology if he went too far in inquiring about her family by opening up to him. She tells the harrowing tale of how her brother picked her up from a party and the heated dispute that transpired during the drive home.
The car ended up upside down as a result of their argument. Valerie says that her parents never showed her forgiveness and that her sibling perished in the collision.
