Patrick Duffy, an actor best known for starring on the popular television show “Dallas” in the 1980s, has just announced that he is dating the actress Linda Purl of “Happy Days” fame.

“I’m in an incredibly happy relationship,” Duffy, 71, told People Magazine of dating Purl. “I never thought for a minute this would happen again. I never thought I’d feel this way again.”

Duffy was married to the ballet dancer Carlyn Rosser for over forty years before she tragically died of cancer in 2017.

“My wife and I, in 48 years we were always together,” he explained.

Duffy added that in the years since his wife died, he had grown accustomed to life on his own as a widower, as he focused on spending time with his children and grandchildren. That all changed when Duffy went into quarantine amidst the coronavirus pandemic, however, as he ended up falling in love with Purl when he least expected it!

Duffy and Purl had been friends decades ago, but like many of us do, they lost touch over time. When COVID-19 hit, the two of them ended up on a group text chain with various other mutual friends. As the weeks of quarantine went on, the conversation dwindled until it was just Duffy and Purl talking to each other.

That’s when things really got serious between them.

“I loaded up my car and drove 20 hours and ended up on her doorstep just to see if it was real,” Duffy said. “We haven’t been apart since.”

These days, Duffy could not be happier with Purl, and he knows his late wife would be happy to see that he has found love again.

“I feel quite honestly, that it is keeping with the desires of my wife, the fact that we are intended to be happy,” he said. “So when it’s offered, think about it, do whatever you do, but don’t let it pass you up if it’s the right thing.”

Duffy starred as Bobby Ewing on “Dallas,” which was the top show in America for years, from 1978-1991. Meanwhile, Purl played two characters on “Happy Days:” she portrayed Richie’s girlfriend Gloria in Season 1 before later returning to play Fonzie’s girlfriend, Ashley Pfister in Season 10.