Home and Away couple Dieter Brummer and Melissa George’s off-screen tension

Late Home and Away star Dieter Brummer once shocked fans with the truth about his relationship with Melissa George.

Home and Away characters Shane and Angel were the golden couple of Australian television, but when the cameras stopped rolling, actors Dieter Brummer and Melissa George were far from close.

The fresh-faced lovers remain synonymous with the popular soap of the early 90s, with many admitting to having posters of Dieter, who sadly died over the weekend, plastered over their teenage walls.

On weeknights, they’d watch on with envy as George played out their fantasies on screen, but in reality, the two could barely stand being in the same room together.

RELATED: Home and Away heart-throb dead at 45

Shane and Angel were an iconic TV duo.

Brummer, who was found dead aged 45 early Saturday afternoon, it was confirmed today, opened up about the on-set tensions between he and George back in 2018 during the Home and Away 30th anniversary special aired on Channel 7.

With a cheeky smile, he said his relationship with the actress all those years ago “was all on screen.”

“There was a lot of pressure on us,” Brummer recalled in Home and Away: Endless Summer.

“We had to look like the perfect darling couple in public.

“It wasn’t like anything off screen,” he added of their relationship as colleagues. “It was all on screen.”

Their castmates were aware of the friction too, with Ray Meagher, who still plays Alf, adding, “I’m not sure that they got on personally 100 per cent, 100 per cent of the time”.

RELATED: Home and Away star reveals secret relationship with Dieter Brummer

George and Brummer’s real-life feelings towards each other came as a shock to fans, a credit to their acting skills.

Despite the truth behind the scenes, Shane and Angel’s nuptials were unforgettable when the long awaited wedding episode aired in 1995.

Left paralysed after being hit by Alf’s car, Angel arrived at the church in a wheelchair, only to miraculously rise to take shaky steps down the aisle to her groom as delighted wedding guests looked on.

It’s hard to imagine Brummer had such difficulty working with George, even reportedly asking producers to kill off his character and end his time on the soap, according to Woman’s Day in 2012.

Sure enough, Shane died of septicaemia on their first wedding anniversary after cutting himself on a wire. Soon after, George left the series too, played out on-screen as Angel leaving for England with her children and new boyfriend.

Shane died of a blood infection after being cut by a wire.

Brummer was just 15 when he landed the role as Parrish and became one half of Australia’s favourite couple.

While it remains unknown exactly why the pair never got along, Brummer — who has been described by family and friends as a “free spirit” — hinted back in 2012 that their personalities simply clashed.

“Mel was incredibly ambitious right from the outset,” he told the publication.

“I think she wanted to be the next Kylie Minogue.”

His comments came after George famously denounced the soap in a vicious public sledge. The interview has haunted her ever since.

“I don’t need credibility from my country anymore. I just need them all to be quiet,” she said on Channel 7’s The Morning Show.

“If they have nothing intelligent to say, please don’t speak to me anymore. I’d rather be having a croissant and an espresso in Paris or walking my French bulldog in New York City.”

She added: “I’ve never spoken out about it because I have to be the loyal good Aussie, who goes away and comes home.

“But I’m a really hard working woman and people have to respect me for what I’ve done.”

Dieter called the comments “unnecessary and a bit ridiculous” in response, adding: “but then that’s Mel.”

He joked that he’d probably also rather be “walking his French bulldog and enjoying a croissant” but was happy to settle for a takeaway coffee and a cuddle with Jelly, his 10-year-old fox terrier.

George was quick to shut down questions about her time on Home and Away alongside Brummer.

Responding to the sad news of Brummer’s death today, a Seven spokesperson told news.com.au: “Home and Away and Channel 7 are deeply saddened to hear of Dieter Brummer’s passing.

“Dieter was a much-loved Home and Away cast member and celebrated by Australian and international audiences for his award-winning portrayal of Shane Parrish. We send our sincere condolences to Dieter’s family and friends during this very difficult time.”

His family also released a devastating statement via family friend Steve Comey.

“On behalf of my family, we post this today with a heavy heart,” it said.

“We lost our handsome, talented, funny, complicated and beloved Dieter on Saturday morning.

“He has left a massive hole in our lives and our World will never be the same. Our thoughts go out to all of you who knew him, loved him, or worked with him over the years.

“We appreciate you respecting our privacy at this terrible time.

“Should you, or anyone you know be affected by this, or indeed are feeling pain at this time, there are good people that you can talk to. Please pick up the phone – Lifeline 13 11 14.”