When Debra Lawrence first joined Home And Away, she was looking for “financial security,” but she ended up finding so much more in Dennis Coard, her soulmate.
The producers were looking for a romantic partner for Pippa Ross, who made her Summer Bay debut not long after. Dennis was selected to play Michael Ross following a fantastic chemistry read.
Debra told TV WEEK, “I was just really drawn to him.” They made him a reservation. The chemistry read seemed to be very robust.
For Debra, who said to Woman’s Day in 2011 that her “ovaries were yelling, ‘Hello!'” the timing couldn’t be more ideal.
Debra was forced to admit her affection to her new co-star after six weeks of “being rude.” Eighteen months later, on February 29, 1992, in Avalon, Debra and Dennis exchanged vows. However, why tie the knot on a leap year?
Debra disclosed in an Instagram remark, “It was a Saturday between Friday studio and Monday rehearsal for Home and Away.”
The couple welcomed Grace Coard, a daughter, as their first child together the same year. They were fortunate to welcome William, their second and last child, into their family a few years later in 1999.
The pair barely celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary in 2024, but they enjoyed 32 years together. To commemorate the historic day, Debra shared their marriage’s key to a long and happy union.
She stated, “We have shared the grief of the loss of parents, siblings, dear friends, and the wee bubbas that were not meant to be. We appreciate and respect that we are individuals.”
“We are incredibly in love with our two amazing children that we have raised. We are incredibly appreciative of our house and the serene bush that envelops us. We are partners in every meaning of the word—sometimes quite contentious 😳, but forgiveness is always extended to everybody. (Sorry kids, but it helps a lot that we still swoon over each other) 💕💕💕
Debra and Dennis have many more years of love ahead of them. Scroll down to view some of our favorite memories of the couple.
On a father’s day celebration outing, Debra expressed her admiration for Dennis once more.
She added, “So happy that @denniscoard decided to have children with me.”
To commemorate their 30 years of marriage, Debra wrote a post paying homage to her stunning spouse.
Dennis is the most giving and caring guy I know. A genuinely amazing father… Together with being incredibly gorgeous, humorous, hardworking, and supportive, you may begin to see why we have survived the past thirty years of dating. Dennis, you have my sincerest congratulations on your anniversary. We are so grateful that you agreed to be the father of our two lovely children. Much love,” she added.
Rewind to Dennis and Debra’s respective Home and Away days as Michael and Pippa.
Debra departed the serial opera in 1998, however she revealed in a TV Week interview from 2023 that “Home and Away gave me my life.” And I shout that to everyone who will listen from the top of the building.
“To the wonderful Dennis Coard, Happy 7th Leap Anniversary (10,227 days, or 28 years in UTC time) You are an amazing person and I’m so very, very glad I know you,” Debra wrote on the occasion of their wedding anniversary.
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