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As
one of TV's most popular couples, Neighbours stars Dan Paris and Kym Valentine
know more than a thing or two about love. After all, their characters Drew Kirk
and Libby Kennedy endured one of the longest courtships in recent soap history
before finally getting together late last year.
 Away
from the cameras, 26 year old Dan and 22 year old Kym are also successful in the
romance stakes. Happily, on Valentine's Day this Monday, love will be in the air
for them both on and off screen. "Drew and Libby are going strong on the
show, and Kym and I are, too," Dan says. "But let's get this straight-
we're not with each other!" It's not secret that handsome Dan has been
dating model Tanya Jenkyn for three years. Kym has been going out with her
boyfriend, writer Chris Ord, for almost as long. You can be sure that both
couples will be engaging in lots of kissing and cuddling on Valentine's Day.
"It has to be a big day for me, with a surname like Valentine," Kym
jokes. "I'm expecting something huge and sparkly as a present!"
"I'll be in trouble if I don't get Tanya something," Day says.
"If I'm lucky, I'll get something from her, too!"
If
past gestures are any guide, Dan and Kym's partners have a lot to live up to.
Both couples forged their relationships in a highly romantic way. "I met
Tanya just before Christmas and we were due to spend it apart with out
respective families," Dan recalls. "But on the day, I was missing her
so much that I from 1600km to see her. She was so surprised! After that, we
drank champagne and had a great time. It's been all systems go ever since."
Kym also went to great lengths to be with Chris early in their romance.
"Shortly after we met, Chris had to go to Sydney for a weekend," Kym
reflects. "I surprised him at the airport and said I was 
going, too! He's
always said that's the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for him. We've been
together ever since."
Although
both couples are now going strong, Kym and Dan admit that they haven't always
been luck in love. Both say their heart has been broken in the past, and confess
to a few disastrous dates! "Where do I begin?" Dan ponders when asked
to recall a bad experience. "My problem has always been saying no to
people. I'd meet someone for coffee, they would ask me out again, and before I
knew it I'd end up having a relationship- all because I couldn't say no!"
Kym says her worst date involved "walking up and down Chapel Street looking
for a restaurant, and being over it by the time we found one."
They
have also hears more than their fair share of bad pick- up lines. "An extra
in Neighbours once asked me 'Did it hurt?'," Kym recalls. "I replied
'What?', and he said, 'When you fell down from heaven'! I mean... yuk!" Dan
says that most of the pick- up lines he's heard over the years are too explicit
to repeat, but he does know of one line that a person looking to impress someone
should steer well clear of. "I have heard of someone going up to 
another
person and simply saying. 'www.hotbod.com'," he laughs. "Don't say
that, whatever you do!"
Whether
you're celebrating Valentine's Day this year with a loved one, or waiting for
that special someone to come along, Kym and Dan agree that the most important
thing is to remain optimistic. "I believe there's someone out there for
everyone," Dan says. "It's just a matter of waiting for that person to
come along. It sounds corny, but that's the way it is." "You should
never give up hope," Kym adds. "And remember- love always comes along
when you least expect it."
First
Love
We
asked Kym and Dan to recall their first romantic experience
Who
was the first person you ever had a crush on?
Kym:
"Vince Del Tito from Young Talent Time.
"
Dan:
"Kylie Minogue"
Do
you remember anything about your first date?
Kym:
"It was with a guy named Adam, my high school boyfriend."
Dan:
"I went out with a girl named Narelle. We hired a Porsche!"
What
about your first screen kiss?
Kym:
"It was in My Tow Wives with Brett Blewitt. We were all over the
place."
Dan:
"My first kiss was edited out of Neighbours for being too explicit, so I
can't say any more than that!"
¡@
Source:
TV Week, February 12th- 18th, 2000
Writer:
Jason Herbison
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