In a revelation that’s sending the soap world into a frenzy, beloved Summer Bay star Luke Mitchell — known to fans as Romeo Smith on Home and Away — has publicly confirmed he’s been in a loving same-sex relationship for the past three years. The announcement came via an emotional statement on his social-media account, where he thanked “my partner, Aaron, for your unwavering love whilst I found the courage to be me.”

Mitchell’s news is all the more dramatic due to the fact that he’s worked hard to protect the relationship from the public eye. According to insiders, the actor first met his partner, Aaron (last name withheld for privacy), in late 2022, through a mutual friend in Sydney’s theatre scene. They reportedly kept their relationship entirely private, avoiding red-carpet events together and flying under the radar by using pseudonyms and non-joint public appearances.

For years, Mitchell has played one of the most charismatic men in Summer Bay, with storylines that emphasised love-triangles, heartbreak and fiery romance. The disclosure of this long-hidden relationship gives off-screen context to his on-screen persona—something that fans are now speculating may influence his forthcoming dramatic arc on the show.

Sources close to Mitchell say that this decision wasn’t made lightly. He allegedly told producers at the network he felt ready to “step into the light” and no longer live in fear of old tabloid narratives or being forced into ambiguous public statements. “Luke has always been proud of his craft, but less so of the performer’s page alongside it,” one source said. “Now he’s letting his whole self shine.”

The timing of the announcement is intriguingly synchronised with a major upcoming storyline in Home and Away. The show has reportedly been gearing up for a significant shift in romantic narratives for its male lead characters and insiders suggest Mitchell’s real-life disclosure could tie into his character’s upcoming journey. “It’s going to feel more raw, more real,” teased one production insider. “Luke’s own truth is going to inform the writing in a way we haven’t seen before on the show.”

Fans have flooded social media with congratulatory messages — both for Mitchell’s personal bravery and for what many feel is an important moment of representation in a mainstream Australian soap. One fan tweet said:

“So proud of Luke. The vulnerability and honesty here matter so much.”

Industry commentators are also weighing in, describing Mitchell’s move as a landmark moment for ABC’s (Australian network) long-running soap. By stepping forward, he positions the show at the forefront of evolving representation in genre television.

Of course, any public disclosure also carries professional risk. That said, insiders say the network and creative team are fully supportive. “They believe in inclusivity and in using authenticity to enhance storytelling,” the source added. “They’re committed to making this a win for Luke—and for the audience.”

In his statement, Mitchell wrote:

“For too long I hid, fearing what I could lose. Today I embrace what I’ll never let go of — love, truth, and living without shame.”

He concluded by promising fans “a new chapter — for me and for Romeo in Summer Bay.”

If you thought Home and Away had already seen its share of bombshells, this off-screen twist just raised the stakes. Stay tuned for what’s next—publicly, privately and on-screen.

DETAILS TO WATCH:

• Luke Mitchell’s partner is known only as Aaron; the couple have kept a very low profile until now.

• The announcement is likely to coincide with the actor’s next contract renewal and the show’s next major narrative arc.

• Expect “real-relationship inspired” scenes for his character very soon — the soap writers reportedly met with Mitchell during pre-production for an upcoming set of episodes that will explore identity, acceptance and new love.

If you’d like the exact wording of his public statement or the fan reactions worldwide, I can dig into that next.