‘Days of our Lives’ (DOOL) spoilers star Dan Feuerriegel is trading in the snowy Salem winter for the sunny shores of his native Australia. The actor, who portrays the enigmatic EJ DiMera on the long-running soap opera, is taking advantage of his two-week Christmas break to return home and reconnect with family and friends.
“It’s been two years since I’ve been back to see the family, so I’m very, very excited to kind of just go back, disappear and enjoy summer in Australia, where Santa will be wearing board shorts, thongs and a tank top when he comes and visits,” Feuerriegel enthused to Soap Opera Digest.
‘Days of Our Lives’ Spoilers: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) Goes Down Under for an Australian Christmas
The actor is looking forward to spending quality time with his loved ones, including his parents, three siblings – Justin, Kristen, and Nathan – and his nieces and nephews. “I have two nieces, Pippa and Frankie, with my brother, Justin. And I’ve got a new nephew, Teddy, who I’ve yet to meet,” Feuerriegel shared.
“He is my sister Kristen’s son and was born this year. So I will go and visit him. Apparently he is a big boy now, and I’m looking forward to meeting him.”
Family is a top priority for Feuerriegel during this holiday trip. “Oh, 100 percent,” he emphasized when asked about spending time with his parents. “They’re more excited than anyone. Mom was like, ‘Oh, we’ll pick you up from the airport. We’ll take you to this and this and this.’ And I’m like, ‘All right, Mum,'” he added with a laugh.
Feuerriegel also described the unique flavor of Christmas in Australia. “It’s kind of similar to Thanksgiving, as in you go to see the family, there’s lots of food, and then there’s sports on,” he revealed.
“In Australia, the sport during summer is cricket. So we hang out with family and watch cricket. Cricket’s a full, long whole day thing that is in the background playing. That’s probably the tradition there. The food’s a little bit different too, because it’s summer. You’ll have maybe a bacon and egg breakfast or something like that, and then later you’ll have a barbecue. So it’s very similar to Thanksgiving style, if you would equate it to something American.”
As Feuerriegel enjoys his well-deserved break Down Under, fans of “Days of our Lives” can anticipate his return to Salem in the new year, ready to bring his signature intensity and charisma back to the screen.
