‘Nothing got in the way of finding out who we were’: Patrick Duffy, 73, admits lockdown HELPED his ‘COVID romance’ with Linda Purl, 66, because they couldn’t sleep together

Patrick Duffy admits he found love with Linda Purl during lockdown because they were unable to be physical with each other due to social distancing guidelines.  

While many were deprived of romance as COVID-19 forced most of the world indoors, former Dallas star Duffy, 73, somehow found his soulmate in ex-Happy Days actress Purl, 66, after they initially clicked during a group text chat.

The pair soon started FaceTiming, before graduating to video conferencing platform Zoom – where they enjoyed nightly discussions as their feelings for one another slowly developed into something more than platonic friendship. 

Opening up: Patrick Duffy admits he found love with Linda Purl during lockdown because they were unable to be physical with each other due to social distancing guidelines

Appearing on Tuesday’s edition of Loose Women they revealed the complexion of their relationship changed at a steady pace, with the couple soon finding they shared common ground across a range of subjects.

Purl explained: ‘It was gradual, it was very gradual. The conversations would deepen and move into different areas – family, spiritual, mutual friends.’ 

Duffy also admitted lockdown worked in their favour because they were able to focus on getting to know one another without the usual dating distractions getting in the way – including sex. 

Close: While many were deprived of romance as COVID-19 forced most of the world indoors, former Dallas star Duffy somehow found his soulmate in ex-Happy Days actress Purl

‘Nothing got in the way of finding out who we were’, he added. ‘We weren’t at dinner, I wasn’t going “well, do I kiss her goodnight? Do I go to her house? Or does she come to mine?” None of that, we just found out who we were.’ 

The pair, currently starring in a new touring production of the classic Broadway thriller Catch Me If You Can, previously admitted they chatted every night for four months before finally meeting in person. 

Appearing on This Morning in January, Duffy said: ‘It’s a COVID romance. We didn’t sit in the same room for almost four months but we spoke to each other everyday.’ 

Discussion: Appearing on Tuesday’s edition of Loose Women they revealed the complexion of their relationship changed at a steady pace

Every cloud: Duffy also admitted lockdown worked in their favour because they were able to focus on getting to know one another

Purl, who played Ashley Pfister in season 10 of Happy Days in the early 1980s, also recalled the first time he expressed his feelings, adding ‘As we were about to do the end meeting, Patrick says “see you tomorrow love you.”

Duffy said: ‘The next day we zoomed it was like…”hi”. I got into my car and drove 23 hours to her door step and we’ve never been apart.’

Branding Linda ‘the most beautiful thing in the world’ Patrick said: ‘I wasn’t looking for (love) but it found me.’ 

Previously: The pair also discussed their relationship during an appearance on This Morning in January 

TV icons:  Duffy is best known for his role playing handsome nice guy Bobby Ewing on Dallas (left) while Purl played Fonzie’s girlfriend on Happy Days

Lost love: Duffy admitted he had given up on the idea of dating again following the passing of his wife, ballet dancer Carlyn Rosser, who succumbed to cancer in 2017 (pictured 1987)

Describing their relationship in a November 2020 interview, Duffy said he had given up on the idea of dating again following the passing of his wife, ballet dancer Carlyn Rosser, who succumbed to cancer in 2017.

The pair were married for over four decades and had two sons: Padraic, 46, and Conor. 40.

‘I wasn’t looking for it. I didn’t feel I needed it … and then fate just went swoosh! and changed the perspective,’ he said of their love.

‘We started texting and then FaceTiming and then Zooming … We did a two-to-three-hour Zoom every single night … You get to know somebody really well when you do that.’

Purl is a mother to son Lucius Cary, 26, who she shares with ex husband Alexander Cary.

She has been married four times in total but has no other children.

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