Neighbours star makes a shock return to Australia after 18 years in Hollywood – following apparent split with tattooed bar manager boyfriend

An Australian soap star turned Hollywood actress has made the big trip home after living in Los Angeles for 18 years.

Nicky Whelan, 43, first shot to fame when Neighbors played Pepper Steiger from 2006 to 2007, but soon left the popular series to make it big in the US.

Now the 72 Hours star has returned to Melbourne after jobs in LA dried up and she split from her partner, Sydney bar manager Steven Hiles, reported Herald Sun on Wednesday.

“There are so many productions being made here and nothing being made in LA,” Nicky admitted, revealing that she has already enlisted local talent agents to look for work Down Under.

‘I’ve lived in LA for 18 years, so I’ve spent almost half my life there. I was 25 or 26 when I moved, but I’m now very attracted to being back home.’

Nicky then made the shocking admission: ‘I’m single so I can travel and I’m like a gypsy’, hinting that she had split from Steven who she last cuddled with in September.

She debuted her romance with the tattooed bar manager at RIXX Eyewear’s eighth anniversary at Bar Bambi in Melbourne at the time.

Before that, the couple was spotted near Barney’s Beanery in West Hollywood earlier this year.

They seemed completely engrossed in each other and shared intimate moments that did not go unnoticed by the spectators.

Nicky and Steven were believed to have hit it off after sharing their first photo together on social media in December last year, although it appears they have since split.

Nicky was previously linked to actor Frank Grillo, but the couple ended their relationship after dating for about 18 months.

In November, Frank was asked by a photographer outside Craig’s restaurant in West Hollywood if he was dating the Australian actress, and he said, “No, that’s over.” I’m single.’

Nicky married former NFL player Kerry Rhodes in October 2017, but they split six months later.

As for her return to Melbourne, Nicky said she would still live in LA, but admitted spending more time in Australia “suits my lifestyle.”

Nicky Whelan, 43, (pictured) first shot to fame when Neighbors played Pepper Steiger from 2006 to 2007, but soon left the popular series to make it big in the US.

Now the 72 Hours star has returned to Melbourne after jobs in LA dried up and she split from her partner, bar manager Steven Hiles (left) in Sydney, Herald Sun reported on Wednesday

She also said she wants to ‘give my love to Melbourne’ after being left heartbroken when her French bulldog died.

The blonde beauty famously played Pepper Steiger in Neighbors from 2006 to 2007.

She went on to build a career in Los Angeles, starring in films such as Hall Pass and The Wedding Ringer.

Earlier this year, Nicky revealed the drastic measures she took to improve her health following her doomed marriage to retired NFL player Kerry.

The Australian actress split from Kerry, 41, in October 2017, just six months after saying ‘I do’.

Following their divorce, Nicky revealed on the Talk Scary To Me podcast that she had given up several things, including two years of sex, to ‘reset’ her body and lifestyle.

‘I took two years off from everything. Like I was just throwing cigarettes and alcohol – not that I was really a drinker, I was a bit of a heavy smoker,” she said.

‘I stopped doing that overnight and didn’t date, touch, date, talk, have sex or do anything for two years.’

The Chosen star said it was the best decision she ever made for her body and mind.