Jonny McPherson admits the coronavirus lockdown has sent his relationship with Natalie J. Robb into "fast forward".
Jonny McPherson
The 'Emmerdale' co-stars decided to move in together after just a few months of dating, and Jonny has confessed the decision was brought forward because of the health crisis.
Jonny, 38 - who plays Dr Liam Cavanagh in the long-running soap - explained: "We had to make a decision as lots of couples did.
"We decided to move in together and so, yes, lockdown did fast forward our relationship."
Jonny and Natalie, 45, initially tried to keep their burgeoning romance under wraps.
However, their cover was blown in June when they appeared smiling together on a Zoom call as they wished co-star Liam Fox a happy 50th birthday.
Speaking about their romance, Jonny told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "We get on so well. We come from quite different backgrounds but we are essentially the same person.
"We are both a pair of big kids. We have exactly the same stupid humour."
And despite hurriedly moving in together, their relationship has gone from strength to strength over recent months.
He said: "There is nowhere to hide during lockdown. It’s a real test of whether you do get on with a person and thankfully we got through with flying colours."
Jonny also insisted that living with each other hasn't dampened their enthusiasm for work.
He shared: "We are just shy of a year and it’s still early days but we are having a lovely time. I have learnt so much from Natalie. She has been working on TV since she was knee high.
"We both love the work so much, we spend whole evenings discussing scripts and learning lines."
Natalie previously explained how their relationship "evolved".
The actress said: "We did a charity trip where you go out with children who have cancer and you take them to Lapland.
"We were on that, and it’s a day trip, so you're there and back in a day, and from then on we just sort of got to know each other better.
"I've worked with him and things, but I've got to know him better and just went on from there. A few text messages and things like that. We went out for a meal and the rest is history."