TEXT: JACK E BRYGEL P CTURES: GEORGE FETT NG/PH LL P CASTLETON/BAUERSYNDICATION.COM.AU STYLIST: REBECCA O’HEARN HAIR & MAKE-UP: DEANNE DORITY
S
he was the original co-host
of the hugely popular 1980s
dating showPerfect Match- the bubbliest of TV cupids
alongside Greg Evans and their
wisecracking robot sidekick Dexter.
But behind the big hair, colourful
gowns and ever-present smile, Debbie
Newsome never gave up on the search
for her own soulmate.
“I’ve always believed in true love,”
the 57-year-old reveals.
Two decades ago Debbie’s patience
was rewarded when she was introduced
to electrician Mark Learmonth. And
as the classic show’s theme song goes,
“Like peaches and cream and a coach
and her team”, it was a perfect match
for the duo, now blissfully married.
“Wejustfellinloveatfirstsight,”
Debbie recalls. “I knewinstantly. I met
him at a friend’s place. Mark walked in,
we looked at each other and it was like
we’d known each other for a lifetime.
It was meant to be.”
At the time Debbie
had two young children - daughter Tara and son
Troy–fromherfirst
marriage, while Mark
had a couple of children
of his own. And within
two weeks the besotted
pair were living together.
“Have you ever met someone and
felt like you’ve known them forever?”
Debbie asks. “Well, it was like that.
[At first] his kids would come by every
second weekend – they’re beautiful kids
FormerPerfect
Matchco-host
DEBBIE NEWSOME,
57, opens up about
everything from
family ties to new
career joys – and
meeting the great
love of her life‘I finally
feel free!’
Turn the page
- and then we had a littleBrady Bunch
family going on. I didn’t think I’d find
anyone like Mark again.”
And 20 years on
Debbie remains grateful
that Mark came into her
life exactly when he did.
“If I had met him
when I was onPerfect
Matchor younger
I probably wouldn’t
have appreciated him
as much,” she says.
“I think you have to go through a few
things in life before you realise,This is
what it’s meant to be like.”
“You know more when you’re older.
You know what you’re looking for and
that you’re not going to put up with
any rubbish from anybody, either. They
have to be really nice to you and really,
reallynice to your children – respectful,
loving and giving. Mark’s all of those
things. He’s a thoughtful, kind and
good-looking man and one of those
people who can do everything.”
The key to a long and happy marriage,
according to Debbie, is respect, honesty
and unconditional love.
“Everyone has their ups and downs
but just respect your love and be friends
as well,” she adds. “And don’t keep
secrets from each other. Everything
needs to be out in the open.”
Debbie says she and Mark, whose
children are now grown-up and no‘You know
more when
you’re older.
You know
what you’re
looking for’HEART STARTERS
With Greg Evans and
Dexter onPerfect
Match(above), and
husband Mark (left)