Daniel MacPherson was in agonising pain as he struggled to reach the finish line in the toughest race of his life. With his stomach cramping, the TV favourite was coughing up blood – but a smile from his girlfriend Kristi Townley and the support of his family somehow kept his tired legs pumping.

‘It’s one of the best memories from the whole thing,’ smiles 29-year-old Daniel, recovering from the gruelling Ironman World Championship in Hawaii. 'Kristi, my mum, the rest of my family and friends cheering, knowing how important it was for me to get to the end.’

For once, the very private star is happy to reveal his life behind the scenes with PR company owner Kristi, 30, his partner of three years. As they stroll along the sand, play in the water and share a sunset drink, there’s no mistaking their love.

Daniel, who’s on holiday after quitting the hit TV series City Homicide, is planning a move to LA. And whatever the future holds, Kristi will be by his side, helping to keep his feet on the ground.

Both are sporty, but nothing could prepare Daniel for the ordeal he faced eight hours into the recent Ironman World Championship, when his body began to shut down. 'You find out what you’re made of under those circumstances,’ says the down-to-earth actor, who swam 3.8km, rode his bike for 180km, then backed up for a 42km run to complete the elite race in 10-and-a-half torturous hours.

‘Anyone who knows the sport knows you have to be slightly mad to do it,’ Daniel jokes, gently holding Kristi’s hand and smiling at his much-loved mum Anne. 'I was running really well until the last couple of hours, which seemed to last about two days! It was pretty agonising. My gut basically shut down and I started coughing up blood and cramping through the abdomen. At that point I realised the racing was over and it was just a case of getting to the finish line.

‘The Hawaiian Ironman is something I’ve wanted to do since I was 13. It’s like the Holy Grail for triathletes, and I finally qualified at my fourth attempt. So at the end there were mixed emotions. I was relieved it was over because it was so painful, but I didn’t achieve quite what I wanted.’

Daniel may have been disappointed on the day, but he admits he’s had a dream run since a talent scout spotted him at a Sydney triathlon and launched him into showbusiness 12 years ago.

‘He’s always been the golden child,’ teases proud mum Anne, a Sydney jeweller. ‘And we’ve always stayed close, no matter where he is in the world.’

His debut role on Neighbours led to parts in Godspell and The Bill in Britain. Homesick, Daniel returned to Australia, alternating hosting gigs – on The X Factor and Dancing With The Stars – with parts in TV dramas Tripping Over and City Homicide.

In a candid beachside chat, Daniel and Kristi discuss their relationship, marriage, babies and other things to do before they die.

Congratulations on the race, Daniel! Will you ever do it again?
Daniel: For an hour between the 30 and 40km mark [of the run], the answer was no. I thought: ‘OK, I’ve ticked this box. Let’s move on.’ But as the dust settles, I’m nothing if not ambitious, so I’d like to come back and do better.

Kristi, what was it like watching him go through such an ordeal?
Kristi: It’s mixed emotions. You’re so proud. You know everything that’s gone into it – seeing Dan leave super-early before work and put in all the training. But you’re always worried how he’s feeling. 

How did you two meet?
Daniel: Kristi used to give me sunglasses on behalf of her boss, and we kind of met when I came back from doing The Bill.
Kristi: We became friends…
Daniel: And then I went to an Oakley [sunglasses] event and we went for a catch-up drink…
Kristi: And the rest is history.
Daniel: It wasn’t even a ritzy bar I took her to. It was a bottle shop that lets you sit and drink.
Kristi: Pots of beer on Fitzroy Street [in Melbourne’s St Kilda]!
Daniel: Then I commented how I thought your feet were beautiful.
Kristi: No-one had ever said that to me. Liar! Did you mean it?
Daniel: Of course I meant it!

What attracted you to each other?
Daniel: I always described Kristi as like Winnie Cooper from The Wonder Years, that hot, unattainable girl next door with natural beauty.
Kristi: Dan was always lovely, an absolute gentleman. Obviously he’s gorgeous – so handsome with that big smile – but I could tell he was a really good person too.
Daniel: Our relationship is strong because it’s so relaxed and cruisy. It’s grown really naturally.

When did you start living together?
Daniel: After we’d seen each other for about a year, I moved to Melbourne to do City Homicide and ended up living 200m from Kristi in St Kilda. It seemed silly to pay two rents!

What do you love about each other?
Daniel: I love doing things that make Kristi really happy, because when she smiles she glows and it’s incredible. Beat that!
Kristi: Mr Way With Words! The feeling’s mutual. Dan’s one of the most inspirational people I’ve ever met. He’s so dedicated and generous with his time.
Daniel: And what do you love?
Kristi: Shut up! Everything. What’s not to love about you?

Does family help you stay real?
Daniel: Kristi and her family keep me grounded! They’re real, honest people who treat me like a son. Her dad likes that because he’s got two daughters and he races cars! My sister Brodie’s a great leveller as well, like the rest of my family and friends. If I buy a shirt or get a haircut that make me look like a tosser, she’s the first one to tell me.
Kristi: I’ve never really seen Dan as an actor. He’s just a really regular, fun, great guy.

You’ve had a dream career.
Daniel: I can think of three weeks in 2005 when I didn’t have a job. I was worried, so I did The X Factor! I’m unemployed, but I’m calling it ‘freedom’.

Why did you leave City Homicide?
Daniel: I was just ready. I still see myself as quite a young actor and I’ve done 12 years of back-to-back series TV. The time has come! I’m confident in my ability to make a career out of this gig! But I’m proud of City Homicide.

And you’re moving to LA?
Daniel: The plan is to move there semi-permanently, but with this job, I could end up anywhere. Ironically, I’m ready to move to LA and it looks like my next job will be in Melbourne!

So you still live out of suitcases?
Daniel: Yes, I’ve got them in London, Sydney and Melbourne. That’s why I’ve been house-hunting in Noosa, to have my stuff in one place.

 
Are you planning to get married?
Daniel: Not yet. We have so much stuff to do and achieve together before we do that. It’s not really on the radar. Agree?
Kristi: Yes, we’re in a great place.

Name three things you want to do before you die.
Daniel: I’d certainly like to spend a bit more time in Europe. I’m excited to be a father one day – that’s on the list. Funnily enough, I’m also thinking about ultra-marathon running.
Kristi: Just a second!
Daniel: A good 100km would be interesting. I love what you learn about yourself in these races. You’d support me, honey, wouldn’t you?
Kristi: I would – but can it be somewhere like Hawaii, at least?