📺 Ada Nicodemou Shares Sweet Relationship Update with James Stewart — A Real-Life Romance Blossoms on and off ‘Home and Away’

In the ever-dramatic world of Home and Away, on-screen romances often captivate fans, but when a love story transcends the script and blossoms in reality, it becomes a tale worth celebrating. Such is the case for Home and Away stars Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, whose real-life romance has taken center stage — both on screen and in the hearts of viewers. Now, after celebrating their one-year anniversary, Ada is sharing a rare, heartfelt update on their evolving relationship, pulling back the curtain on what has been a quietly blossoming love built on decades of friendship.

In a candid and deeply personal interview with Stellar Magazine, Ada Nicodemou, 47, offered fans a glimpse into her private world, expressing how she and co-star James Stewart, 49, have shared a profoundly special year together. Their bond, forged through nearly three decades of friendship, transformed into something far more romantic — a surprising and touching development that neither saw coming.

“It’s been a really lovely year together,” Ada said, beaming as she reflected on their unexpected connection. While the actress is known for keeping her private life largely offline, she admitted that their one-year milestone was just too beautiful not to share. “I don’t like to post a lot of stuff about us online,” she admitted, “but at the same time, I’m really proud of the last year we’ve had and wanted to share that.”

This rare moment of vulnerability came earlier this month when Ada took to Instagram to commemorate their first anniversary. Sharing a carousel of tender photographs, she documented their romantic celebration at Mimi’s in Sydney — a luxurious setting worthy of a love story this rich. The couple dined on oysters, caviar, and champagne, the kind of indulgent evening one would expect from a milestone celebration of a love years in the making. Her caption was simple, yet full of meaning: “Just perfect.”

In the photos, the radiant couple smiled beside a congratulatory card marking their special moment. Ada looked elegant in a strapless maroon dress, her hair cascading over her shoulders in soft waves. She accessorized with a $530 Chanel purse, a $1,930 Cartier Love bracelet, and a $12,189 Rolex Datejust watch — stylish details that subtly echoed the opulence of the evening. James, always the gentleman, wore a neutral-toned suit with a crisp white shirt, perfectly complementing Ada’s sophisticated glamour.

But beyond the glamour, the love story between Ada and James is rooted in authenticity and longevity. Speaking on Mamamia’s No Filter podcast, Ada opened up about how the couple’s relationship was discovered by their colleagues. Though their characters — Leah Patterson and Justin Morgan — are married on Home and Away, Ada was initially discreet about their off-screen connection. “I figured I didn’t need to tell anyone else. We didn’t need a group email. People just worked it out,” she laughed.

The pair were first romantically linked in early 2024, when they were seen sharing an affectionate moment on Anzac Day. The internet buzzed with speculation until Ada eventually confirmed the relationship in a July interview with Stellar Magazine. She described the romance as both recent and “unexpected,” but emphasized just how happy and content she was. “Jimmy and I are together. Yes, it’s only early days. It’s very recent and unexpected. I’m super happy — it’s really lovely.”

While their on-screen wedding may have seemed like a case of art imitating life, Ada was quick to dispel that notion. She stressed that the development of their real-life relationship had nothing to do with their characters’ romantic arc. Instead, it emerged naturally after years of platonic friendship.

“We’ve known each other for 25 to 30 years,” she explained. “There were no feelings for a really, really long time. So I was shocked when I started having feelings.” Ada described the experience of falling for James as strange and exhilarating — “There was this chemistry for the first time. This spark that happened that wasn’t there before. And it was weird.”

Their relationship began following two major life transitions. Ada had recently split from her long-term partner, Adam, just before Christmas in 2023. James, for his part, had finalized his divorce from actress Sarah Roberts in March 2024. With their past chapters closed, the door was open for something new — something sincere, and perhaps even fated.

The timing, though unexpected, seems to have been just right. For fans of Home and Away, the connection between Ada and James adds an extra layer of emotion to the couple’s on-screen love story. But for Ada and James themselves, this romance is a personal journey — one rooted in mutual respect, deep history, and an undeniable spark that changed everything.

As the couple navigates their newfound relationship in the public eye, Ada remains mindful of the balance between personal privacy and public curiosity. Yet it’s clear that she’s both proud and grateful for what the past year has brought. And as fans continue to root for Leah and Justin on-screen, there’s a quiet joy in knowing that behind the cameras, Ada and James are writing a love story all their own — one that’s been nearly 30 years in the making.

In the ever-unpredictable world of soap operas, it’s rare that a real-life romance rivals the scripted ones. But for Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, life appears to have delivered its own plot twist — one filled with laughter, quiet dinners, stolen glances, and a bond that only time could build.

As Ada beautifully put it: “It’s really lovely.” And for now, that’s more than enough.