STEFAN’S PAIN Strictly’s Stefan Dennis reveals family tragedy saying ‘I’m more affected today than I was back then’

TO NEIGHBOURS fans around the world, Stefan Dennis is known for playing loveable rogue Paul Robinson.

But away from the spotlight, the Aussie soap legend, 66, who is getting ready for Strictly‘s first live show tonight, harbours a painful family tragedy that still haunts him to this day.

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Stefan Dennis on the TV show 'Loose Women'.

Stefan Dennis has opened up about a family tragedy as a childCredit: Shutterstock Editorial

Paul Robinson (Stefan Dennis) looking troubled.

Stefan is best known for playing Paul Robinson on NeighboursCredit: AMAZON FREEVEE

Actor Stefan Dennis sitting on his Yamaha R1 motorcycle.

It’s a role he has played since the very first episode of Neighbours in 1985Credit: Getty – Contributor

Stefan Dennis in a pale blue floral suit with a decorative gold tie, smiling against a confetti-filled yellow background.

Fans are getting to watch the soap star on this year’s StrictlyCredit: PA

Stefan is instantly recognisable for his role as ruthless businessman Paul Robinson.

The actor is currently the last remaining star of Neighbours who has been on the show since the very beginning in 1985.

However, despite his long career in the spotlight, he is still deeply affected by a family tragedy that happened in his childhood.

This is because when Dennis was a child, his older brother John was killed aged 12 by a drunk driver.

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“The repercussions of someone getting behind the wheel on drugs or drink, it’s devastating to the people around them,” he recently told The Guardian.

“This happened decades and decades ago, and it still affects me today – I’m more affected today than I was back then.”

Opening up further, he told News Corp, “I just recently spoke to my mum about it [the death of John].

“Now that I have my own children I have some concept of what she must have gone through.”