Tim Robards and Anna Heinrich preparing for first baby amid coronavirus lockdown

When Neighbours was forced to halt production amid the coronavirus pandemic, it was a blessing in disguise for star and former Bachelor Tim Robards, and wife Anna Heinrich.

Anna Heinrich and Tim Robards have made the most of their time together while Neighbours production has halted.

Tim Robards admits he was not totally unhappy with the news that Neighbours would have to halt filming for several weeks because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the time Robards was keeping a secret, from even his cast mates — wife Anna Heinrich was pregnant.

So the lengthy production break meant he could head home to Sydney to be by her side.

The couple fell in love during the first season of The Bachelor, married in Italy in 2018 and earlier this month announced on Instagram that they were expecting their first baby.

Thankfully, they were able to share their happy news with their families in person before social distancing restrictions were introduced around the country.

“When Neighbours had to shut down because of the pandemic, it actually couldn’t have come at a better time for me because it meant I could be at home with Anna for four or five weeks,” Robards said.

“Normally, when we are shooting, I have to be away for five days a week.

“It is hard to be away because, as with any new mother-to-be, there’s a lot of changes happening in those early days and you want to be around as much as possible for that.

“So, it was great to be able to have that extra time with Anna to support her.”

The added time at home isn’t the only silver lining the actor has found in the pandemic.

A fitness fanatic, he said he had found new ways to shake up his daily exercise regimen, replacing regular trips to the gym with home-based workouts.

Robards also takes his own portable exercise equipment to local parks. And he has drawn on his skills as a chiropractor to develop a free fitness course for Medibank members, aimed at supporting joint strength.

He believes the pandemic has given a lot of people the time and the incentive to take stock of their health.

“I am seeing a lot more people out walking and running,” he said.

“Maybe those were people who would ordinarily be in a gym, or maybe they are people who are actually more focused on developing some healthy habits by becoming more active.”

The lockdown has also meant spending more quality time — albeit online — with family.

“We actually do a family pilates session every Friday morning with Anna’s parents and her sister, who is in New York,” he said.

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Spending more time at home has also given them a chance to do more cooking. Whereas once the couple routinely ate breakfast at local cafes and often went out for dinner, they are now enjoying cooking nutritious meals for each other.

And Robards admits there is a friendly rivalry in the kitchen as each prepares meals from their respective cookbooks.

Although he is mindful of portion size and the ingredients he uses in his cooking, that doesn’t mean Robards doesn’t spoil himself with the odd glass of wine — or two — or a sweet treat such as his childhood favourite ice-cream covered in Ice Magic.

For Robards, it’s all about balance. And he said he would take the same approach to his child’s diet.

“I won’t be in a rush to give them sugar,” he said.

“I would like them to appreciate things like raspberries or blueberries which really are nature’s lollies rather than filling them up on Kit Kats or Mars bars.

“But I won’t be the one at kids’ parties who shouts: ‘Keep those lollies away from my son or daughter’ either.”

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