The sweet love story of Dallas star Patrick Duffy and Happy Days’ Linda Purl has captivated fans around the world after the TV icons revealed they had fallen in love during the pandemic.
Now the stars have revealed they’d love for their headline-grabbing relationship to be brought to life in a romance film, and even joked they’d be ready to play themselves.
Speaking to about whether their love story could inspire a film, the 73-year-old actor gushed: “Yes. It feels like a Hallmark movie to us. We are very grateful for this relationship.
Better Than Fiction: Dallas star Patrick Duffy and Happy Days’ Linda Purl are desperate for their love story to be made into a film
“And to have found it at this point in our lives and to be able to take comfort in that reality for the rest of your life is amazing.”
Purl, 67, added that the couple’s ability to find love later in life is proof that others should never lose hope.
“Change is constant in life, we know that. Energies change, life changes, so never give up anything unless it’s your heart’s desire,” she explained. “I don’t even think that necessarily means that what you’re hoping for will happen, but something will happen if you’re ready and have the ambition.”
Duffy added: “It’s amazing how many signals you get from the universe when you listen. If you’re careful, if you’re watching, it’s always out there. When people shut themselves off, it means they stop listening, probably because they’ve lost hope.
“But as long as you listen, it’s amazing what you pick up. The same can be said in a relationship. Just keep your eyes and ears open.”
Duffy continued: “I think that’s another reason people shut themselves down, that they can’t bear to look into the future and they just become isolated. It’s actually tragic.”
Special connection: During a group text chat in 2020 amid the pandemic, sparks began to fly between the two — before transitioning to “two- to three-hour” Zoom calls every night
No problem: The loving couple joked that they would be willing to play themselves
It comes as the real-life couple are set to hit the big screen as lovers in new episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful on November 23 and November 28.
Duffy is making his big return to the CBS soap opera after 11 years and the star couldn’t resist bringing his girlfriend along for the special occasion.
He will see surprise daughters Brooke (Katherine Kelly Lang), Donna (Jennifer Gareis) and Katie (Heather Tom).
Over the years, Duffy and B&B executive producer Bradley Bell had joked about Stephen’s return. When Bell revisited the idea earlier this year, Duffy couldn’t resist asking if his partner could join in the fun.
Reflecting on his return to the set, Duffy said: “It was wonderful to be back and welcomed like I had never been away. But it was touchingly wonderful to come back arm in arm with a woman I’m privately in love with and walk through the door together.
“It was almost like showing off. You know? Look, look, someone really likes me. That was wonderful and that’s why it’s satisfying on so many levels.’
Daddy’s home: It comes as the real-life couple is set to play on-screen lovers in new episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful on November 23rd and 28th
Reunited: Duffy makes his big return to the CBS soap after 11 years (pictured LR, Katherine Kelly Lang, Duffy, Purl, Annika Noelle and Heather Tom)
He continued, “We’re workaholics and just being asked to come to work is a privilege in our industry. Being able to enjoy it together is the icing on the cake.”
In the episodes, the Logan sisters finally meet Lucy – while Stephen is surprised to learn of the drama surrounding his children’s love lives and offers comfort.
When asked if this could mark the start of more regular appearances on the daytime programme, Duffy teased: “We hope so, fingers crossed.
“The Bold and the Beautiful kindly asked if we would represent them at the Christmas parade. So we are identified with B&B and hope it stays that way. Absolutely.’
Sweet story: The couple said their ability to find love later in life was proof that others should never give up hope
Duffy is best known for starring in Dallas from 1978-1985 and 1986-1991, where he played Bobby Ewing, brother of Larry Hagman’s JR Ewing.
His other major TV role was on ABC’s Step By Step (1991-1998), while he starred in The Bold And The Beautiful from 2006-2011.
More recently, he reprized his character in a sequel to Dallas that focused on a younger generation and ran from 2012-2014.
Purl’s best known role was as Ashley Pfister on Season 10 of Happy Days in the early 1980s.
She also portrayed the daughter of Andy Griffith’s title character in the first season of Matlock and made occasional appearances as Pam Beesley’s mother on The Office.
Purl has been married four times, first to Desi Arnaz Jr. from 1980 to 1981. She married screenwriter William Broyles Jr. in 1988, but their divorce was finalized in 1992.
Magical connection: The couple in love officially started dating in July 2020
Purl was married to another screenwriter, Alexander Cary, from 1993 to 1999, and her most recent marriage was to James Vinson Adams from 2006 to 2011.
Duffy previously admitted his romance with Linda came as a complete surprise.
The actor explained that after the death of his late wife Carlyn Rosser from a heart attack in 2017, he never thought he would fall in love again.
He admitted at the time: “I never thought that this would happen again. I never thought I’d feel like this again.”