NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Travel
  • Home & Away
  • Podcasts
  • Win
  • Video
NewIdea
  • Royals
  • Celebrity
  • News
  • Beauty & Style
  • Health & Wellbeing
  • Travel
  • Home & Away
  • Podcasts
  • Win
  • Video
Subscribe
Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

SPOTTED! George Mason’s shock return to Home and Away

SPOTTED! George Mason’s shock return to Home and Away

Inside Home and Away star Penny McNamee's "settled and content" love life

Inside Home and Away star Penny McNamee's "settled and content" love life

 Learn more about 'Tori Morgan' from Home and Away

Learn more about 'Tori Morgan' from Home and Away

Home and Away’s James Stewart gushes over ‘bromance’ with Ditch Davey!

Home and Away’s James Stewart gushes over ‘bromance’ with Ditch Davey!

{headline}

{headline}

Home and Away: Tori's birth drama

Home and Away: Tori's birth drama

Penny McNamee posts heartfelt tribute to fellow Home and Away star

Penny McNamee posts heartfelt tribute to fellow Home and Away star

Penny McNamee: Meet my gorgeous baby

Penny McNamee: Meet my gorgeous baby

{headline}

{headline}

JUST IN: Penny McNamee shares gorgeous picture of her new baby

JUST IN: Penny McNamee shares gorgeous picture of her new baby

Who is Penny McNamee?

Home and Away actress Penny McNamee has given birth to a baby girl!

Home and Away actress Penny McNamee has given birth to a baby girl!

Home and Away star Penny McNamee STUNS at premiere

WATCH: Home and Away's promo trailer for 2019

Home And Away: Tori finds herself at a crossroads

Home And Away's Penny McNamee shows off her singing chops for a good cause

  1. Home
  2. Parenting

EXCLUSIVE: Penny McNamee shares rare insight into her private life

“I find there is real truth in not expecting your partner to be everything for you.” - by New Idea
  • 07 Jan 2021

Chatting to Home and Away leading lady Penny McNamee is always an enjoyable experience.

Fun, down-to-earth and brimming with enthusiasm for her role as beloved Summer Bay doctor, Tori Morgan, the 37-year-old star of stage and screen is clearly counting her blessings. 

WATCH: Penny McNamee and Ditch Davey talk about filming those steamy scenes on Home And Away

"It’s been five years since I joined Home and Away and it’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had," says Penny. "It’s a role I will always love and look back on in years to come as a real favourite."

Also true is that when Penny’s not in front of the TV cameras, she’s very happily sharing her world with her former high-school sweetheart, husband Matt Tooker, and their children, Jack, 5, and Neve, 22 months.

Penny McNamee

Is there anything she can't do?

Supplied

The multi-talented actress, who has previously won acclaim for her stand-out performances in the world of musical theatre, shares her life in 10 pictures...

Penny and sisters

What an adorable throwback!

Supplied

"This is a photo of me with my three sisters circa 1987, when I was 4 – there’s me, Jessica, Melanie and Rebecca. I’ll ask my brother, Pat, who was still to come, to forgive me for not including him!

"Growing up with lots of siblings was chaos – always lots of fun and lots of laughs."

Penny netball

She doesn't just act and sing, triple threat Penny knows her way around the netball court.

Supplied

"I grew up playing netball every Saturday. My mum was always my coach, so it was a real family sport. I still play every Thursday night.

"I love it from a fitness point of view and also 
from a mental health perspective – playing in a team, running around and forgetting about everything else in life for that one hour."

Penny renovation

Out with the old, in with the new.

Supplied

"My husband and I love renovating houses. We renovated our last house, and recently sold it and bought a fixer-upper in the middle of lockdown.

"Here I am lifting out pieces of copper, which were part of an old water heater in the roof, and throwing them in the skip bin. I love putting on my work boots and getting my hands dirty with renovating, as well as loving the creative styling process."

Penny and Matt

Their love has only grown stronger since meeting in high-school.

Supplied

"Matt and I met at high school when we were 16, and we got married in our mid-20s. He’s my rock, my safe place to come home to and my best friend.

"I once heard Sheryl Sandberg say: The most important career decision 
a woman will make is the man she marries,’ and I couldn’t agree more."

Penny carols in the domain

Performing at the Carols was a tick off the bucket list for Penny.

Supplied

"Here I am singing at the Carols in the Domain, which was always number one on my bucket list.

"When I got the job on Home and Away, it became my mission to get Channel Seven to give me a spot – and I have Ray Meagher to thank for it.

"Ray heard me singing around the hallways and went upstairs to tell the powers that be, that I should sing at Carols. It’s a really special night."

Penny and Ditch Davey

Off-screen, Ditch is always making Penny laugh.

Supplied

"Ditch Davey joined the show six months ago playing Tori’s love interest, and he’s such a joy to play opposite. There’s great trust between us, which makes for a really fun and cohesive working relationship.

"Ditch also has a booming laugh, which makes me and the rest of the crew crack up. You can’t hear Ditch laugh and not laugh along with him!"

Penny and friends

Penny couldn't live without her girlfriends.

Supplied

"With my two friends, Amy and Kimberley, at the Hugh Jackman concert last year. Girlfriends play a very special role in my life. I find there is real truth in not expecting your partner to be everything for you.

"Several of my girlfriends are almost soulmates. They know when I need them to call, they completely understand how I’m feeling and they offer really wise counsel. I wouldn’t live a full and joyful life without them."

Penny kids

Penny likes to keep her kids active and outside.

Supplied

"Mum life! Here I am at the beach with Neve and Jack. I’m terrible at staying at home with the kids – we always need to go out on an adventure. Both of my kids are incredibly active, so getting them outside and running 
around is a necessity."

Penny wicked

Back in 2008-2009, Penny portrayed Nessarose in 800 shows of the musical Wicked. Next stop, defying gravity.

Supplied

"In 2008 and 2009, I performed in the musical Wicked in Melbourne and Sydney. Wicked was such a phenomenon. I did 800 performances, and it was just as magical doing the 800th as it was doing the first."

Penny and family

Family is everything to Penny.

Supplied

"My family! This was taken in winter when we were having a bonfire at my parents’ property – a yearly tradition. Matt and I struggled to have children, so we feel very, very blessed to have the little two that we have."

  • Celebrity
  • Parenting
  • Love And Relationships
  • TV
  • Home & Away
  • Music
  • Penny McNamee

Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!-SAVE 79%

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!

Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!-SAVE 79%

Subscribe to New Idea today

Subscribe Now
Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!

Recommended to you

Home and Away opening title
Watch 1:09

Home and Away opening title

{headline}

{headline}

SPOTTED! George Mason’s shock return to Home and Away

SPOTTED! George Mason’s shock return to Home and Away

Inside Home and Away star Penny McNamee's "settled and content" love life

Inside Home and Away star Penny McNamee's "settled and content" love life

 Learn more about 'Tori Morgan' from Home and Away

Learn more about 'Tori Morgan' from Home and Away

Home and Away’s James Stewart gushes over ‘bromance’ with Ditch Davey!

Home and Away’s James Stewart gushes over ‘bromance’ with Ditch Davey!

{headline}

{headline}

Home and Away: Tori's birth drama

Home and Away: Tori's birth drama

Penny McNamee posts heartfelt tribute to fellow Home and Away star

Penny McNamee posts heartfelt tribute to fellow Home and Away star

Penny McNamee: Meet my gorgeous baby

Penny McNamee: Meet my gorgeous baby

{headline}

{headline}

JUST IN: Penny McNamee shares gorgeous picture of her new baby

JUST IN: Penny McNamee shares gorgeous picture of her new baby

Who is Penny McNamee?

Home and Away actress Penny McNamee has given birth to a baby girl!

Home and Away actress Penny McNamee has given birth to a baby girl!

Home and Away star Penny McNamee STUNS at premiere

WATCH: Home and Away's promo trailer for 2019

Home And Away: Tori finds herself at a crossroads

Home And Away's Penny McNamee shows off her singing chops for a good cause

NewIdea
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions
NewIdea Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions

Brands

  • Girlfriend
  • New Idea food
  • Practical Parenting
  • That’s Life
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • Home Beautiful
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from New Idea

Magazine Subscription Offer

Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!-SAVE 79%

Shop This Offer
Just $6 for 6 issues delivered!