EastEnders Callum star Tony Clays life off screen including stunning girlfriend
Tony Clay who plays Callum Highway in Eastenders has gained a lot of attention for his role as he navigates a relationship with fiery Ben Mitchell, but off screen the actor tends to keep his real-life romance out of the spotlight.
The relationship between the EastEnders characters Callum Highway and Ben Mitchell has gripped viewers, with them being dubbed the fan-favourite couple ‘Ballum’.
Tony made his debut on the hit BBC One series in January 2018 when he accidentally shot family friend Mick Carter during a botched heist.
Afterwards, he briefly left the soap before returning to Albert Square in 2018, where he has remained ever since.
While fans have gotten to know his character well over the last few years, the star tends to keep his private life out of the spotlight including his long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Olivia and his dad's terrifying near-death experience during Covid-19 lockdowns.
Off screen love life
Although the star is known for his turbulent love interest on Eastenders with Ben Mitchell, the actor Tony Clay shares his life with his stunning girlfriend Olivia.
Last year they celebrated their six year anniversary with Tony sharing a rare photo of his girlfriend who has previously remained a mystery to fans.
In celebration of their anniversary, Tony couldn't help but tweet a romantic photo of Olivia to mark the special occasion.
Tony shared the rarely seen photo of the couple and their adorable puppy Daisy with the caption "6 years. I adore you! (And, obviously, daisies)."
In the photo, the couple are seen enjoying drinks in their back garden with Olivia smiling at the camera showing off her brunette locks as she cuddles Daisy.
The talented actor looks equally as happy as he wears sunglasses and gives a big smile to the camera.
'Hard time' in Lockdown
Tony recently opened up about his "hard time" during lockdown after his father was hospitalised for two months with Covid-19.
In an episode of Secrets of the Square with Stacey Dooley, the 28 year old actor shared his family's heartbreak, telling fans: "On my father and my loved ones. And the entire country is experiencing this."
He admitted that the lockdown had been difficult for him and said: "It's been a bit of a strange time for me, my dad was hospitalised with the coronavirus.
"Two months in hospital, three different hospitals – it was just a hard, hard time".
When host Stacey asked about his dad's condition Tony shared: "He is, he's finally home so I'm very, very, very delighted – and a bit overwhelmed."
The actor had previously revealed his dad's battle with Covid-19 back in May.
He tweeted: "After 4 weeks on a ventilator in intensive care, a tracheostomy & a 9 week stay in 3 different hospitals, today my Dad is finally home!!
"THANK YOU NHS!!! You are true angels & I love you all. So much love to anyone going through this right now. There is hope x".
Three hour kissing scenes
Since Tony’s character Callum shared his first secret kiss in the moonlight with fiery Ben, fans of the BBC One series went crazy for the couple, even giving them their own special nickname – Ballum.
Despite how romantic the kiss appeared on screen actor Tony admitted it actually came with some logistical challenges – some requiring three-hour filming slots.
Talking about this in 2019 he said: "We've got serious stubble coming on and obviously when you've sort of got to film stuff for late nights until half 11/12 in a park, it's really cold.
"There is obviously a limit to how much Carmex you can use. You consequently develop a little beard rash."
At first, viewers were taken aback when amiable Callum hooked up with would-be gangster Ben, but as their relationship grew fans soon warmed up to the new match.
EastEnders boss Kate Oates revealed the pair spent three hours kissing to get the perfect take.
She said: "They earned that money that night.
"We were so excited about seeing that kiss being shot, we’d been story-lining it for ages.
"I think you guys started kissing at about half past seven and at about half past 10 they were still going at it, like the pros that they are!
"Each take just felt so real and so engaging."
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