Life Imitates Art: Home and Away Stars Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart Officially Confirm Real-Life Romance

In a development that has delighted fans of Australia’s most iconic soap opera, Home and Away stars Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart have officially gone public with their real-life relationship. The pair, who portray the beloved on-screen married couple Leah Patterson and Justin Morgan, have transitioned their long-standing professional partnership into a blossoming romantic one.

From Long-Time Friends to Lovers

The revelation marks a major milestone for the two actors, who have been mainstays of Summer Bay for years. While their characters Leah and Justin have faced everything from kidnappings to near-death experiences on screen, the real-life connection between Nicodemou and Stewart began much more simply—as a deep friendship.

Nicodemou recently opened up about the transition, admitting that the spark was entirely “unexpected.” Despite knowing Stewart for over 25 years and working closely with him for seven, she noted that romantic feelings only surfaced recently. “Jimmy and I are together, yes,” she confirmed in a recent interview. “It’s only early days. It’s very recent and very unexpected. I’m super happy. It’s really lovely.”

The “Hard Launch” at the Logies

While rumors had been swirling since April 2024, when the pair were spotted sharing a kiss outside a Sydney pub on Anzac Day, they chose the 2024 Logie Awards for their official “hard launch” as a couple. Walking the red carpet hand-in-hand, they looked every bit the happy couple, confirming what many fans had suspected for months.

Nicodemou shared her excitement on social media, posting photos of the night with the caption: “Butterflies… So happy to enjoy the night with you.” Stewart echoed the sentiment, sharing his own gallery and simply stating he was “Crazy happy!”

A Season of New Beginnings

The timing of their romance follows significant changes in both of their personal lives. Stewart finalized his divorce from former Home and Away co-star Sarah Roberts in early 2024, while Nicodemou ended her eight-year relationship with businessman Adam Rigby in late 2023.

The couple has also focused on blending their families. Stewart is a devoted father to his daughter, Scout, while Nicodemou has a son, Johnas. The pair have been spotted on numerous family outings, from theme park trips in Queensland to casual walks in Sydney, signaling a serious and stable commitment.

Professionalism on Set

Despite their new romantic status, both stars remain committed to their work. As the anchors of the Morgan and Patterson households in Summer Bay, they continue to film intense and emotional scenes together. Nicodemou emphasized that they maintain strict professionalism on set, keeping their personal and professional lives distinct. “We’re professionals, we respect each other, we turn up to work—obviously we’ve got a lot of scenes together—but no, they’re very separate things,” she explained.

Looking Ahead to 2026

As 2025 draws to a close, the couple is looking forward to spending more time together. They are even set to make a special international appearance, traveling to Cork, Ireland, to host a New Year’s Eve event to ring in 2026. For fans of Home and Away, seeing “Leah and Justin” find happiness in the real world is the ultimate “good news” story, proving that sometimes, the best love stories happen when you least expect them.