'I saw her and was like, “I need to know her name” so I got a friend to introduce us,’ he tells.
‘I couldn’t get a sentence out. Things have improved since then!’ he adds.
Before becoming a dad himself, Lincoln says he’s having fun practising his parenting skills on three young nephews.
‘I get them all riled up,’ he laughs. ‘I actually bought myself a T-shirt that says “Funcle – like a dad only cooler.” I love hanging out with them.”
But Queenslander Lincoln, who played Geoff Marshall in Home And Away from 2007 to 2010, doesn’t have much time for rough-and-tumble with his nephews right now.
In addition to a new love, he’s busy filming Danger Close, with Travis Fimmel, Richard Roxburgh and Luke Bracey.
Lincoln plays a young Aussie digger who fights in the Battle of Long Tan.
‘It’s been really emotional,’ Lincoln says. ‘I’ve been speaking to some Vietnam vets and they were virtually spat on when they came home. They were just young blokes like me so it’s been tough to hear about.’
Lincoln is also an ambassador for Tourism Australia and Mazda – and meal-based brand Naked Kitchen.
He became a foodie after placing fourth on Hell’s Kitchen last year.
‘Marco Pierre White taught me – or shouted at me – that the best food is fresh, natural food so that’s how I try to cook for myself. When I was asked to jump on board with Naked Kitchen it was a good fit because it’s all natural and supports Aussie farmers, which clinched it for me.’
Lincoln says he can throw together a mean Mexican dish – but his occasional vices include Twisties and Nutella.
‘I do try to be good though, especially as I’m still carrying a suitcase in my stomach from Christmas and Easter!’
Lincoln opens up about his recent struggle with a brief quiet spell work-wise.
‘As an actor, when the phone stops ringing you start to doubt yourself,’ he admits. ‘It can be hard to see your mates in the industry kicking goals whileyou’re sitting at home twiddling your thumbs. Lots of actors go through it, though and Mum and Dad [Jacqueline and league legend Wally] brought me up not to begrudge others’ success.’
Lincoln credits two Aussie actors – and his recent upswing in TV, film and promo work – with helping shake off what he admits was a ‘fidgety’ low mood.
‘Luke Bracey – who’s starring in Danger Close too – called me in LA about two years ago and said, “Hey mate, why don’t you come over and we’ll kick a footy around?” He’d just flown in from filming Point Break and was heading off somewhere else soon, but it meant the world that he made time for me.’
Chris Hemsworth also reached out.
‘I saw him for the first time in years at Byron’s recent Bluesfest,’ says Lincoln.
‘He gave me the biggest hug too. We had a quick chat – but I really appreciated this huge, A-List star taking the time,’ he said.
For the full story see this weeks issue of New Idea - out now!
