The truth about Shane and Angel's iconic on-screen romance on Home and Away... and why Dieter Brummer didn't get along with co-star Melissa George behind the scenes

Dieter Brummer captured hearts and imaginations with his on-screen romance with Melissa George, but it was a very different story off-camera.

After winning legions of fans playing Shane Parrish on Home and Away, Brummer made no secret of the fact he didn't get along with his co-star.  

The former teen heartthrob, who was found dead at a home in Sydney's Glenhaven on Saturday at the age of 45, had spoken openly about their disdain for each other. 

Speaking to Woman's Day magazine in November 2019, Brummer admitted he never got along along with George, 44, in real-life. 

'We may have been love interests on the show but the chemistry was far from real!' he said at the time.

'Mel was incredibly ambitious right from the outset. I think she wanted to be the next Kylie Minogue. 

'She was a big fan and she aspired to be a big star just like Kylie. I don't think she had much time for the cast of Home and Away.' 

Brummer said he hadn't spoken to George since he left the soap, after begging the show's producers to kill him off.

He told news.com.au in July 2018 that his real-life relationship with George wasn't what fans envisioned.   

'There was a lot of pressure on us. We had to look like the perfect darling couple in public,' he admitted.  

He added: 'It wasn't like anything off screen. It was all on screen.'  

Brummer played bad boy Shane, who eventually settled down after finding love with Angel, played by George.

He openly admitted that he'd been disappointed with his character's development after he romanced Angel.

'You don't even talk to anyone else. There's no interaction with other characters,' he'd said, adding that Shane had turned into a 'wuss'.

After recovering from a motorcycle accident, the character of Shane then died from sepsis after cutting himself on a wire.

The former actor was found dead by police on Saturday afternoon. His death is not being treated as suspicious. 

Following the news of his passing, Brummer's family released a statement saying their world would 'never be the same'.   

'We lost our handsome, talented, funny, complicated and beloved Dieter on Saturday morning. He has left a massive hole in our lives,' they said.

If you or someone you know is struggling, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.