Ada Nicodemou has finally broken her silence on her romance with her co-star James Stewart.
The Home and Away on-screen lovebirds were first linked in real life earlier this year when they were seen sharing a kiss on Anzac Day.
It has since been claimed that things are getting serious between the pair and they are considering moving in together, but they have remained tight-lipped about their romance.
Now, Ada, 47, has finally broken her silence as she confirmed that she is dating her longtime co-star James, 48, describing their romance as ‘unexpected’.
‘Jimmy and I are together, yes. It’s only early days. It’s very recent and very unexpected. I’m super happy. It’s really lovely,’ she told Stellar Magazine.
But she insisted their Home And Away characters Leah Patterson and Justin Morgan getting married on-screen was not an early sign of their real-life romance.
The wedding episode aired on April 9 but was filmed around six months earlier, with Ada insisting their ‘genuine feelings’ only emerged later.
‘There weren’t genuine feelings then,’ she explained. ‘It was shot last year. But I think whenever you’re watching any TV couple, you’re always wondering if they really do have feelings.’
Ada Nicodemou has broken her silence on her romance with her co-star James Stewart in a new interview after their romance first emerged when they were seen kissing on Anzac Day
In a new interview, Ada, 47, confirmed that she is dating her longtime co-star James, 48, (both pictured) describing their romance as ‘unexpected’
Ada and James have known each other since 1998, when they filmed Aussie drama Breakers, and have been co-stars on Home and Away for seven years.
Of their working relationship, Ada gushed: ‘We’ve always respected each other […] I always like going to work – we push ourselves, and push each other, in a really good way.’
The couple began dating after Ada split from her ex-partner Adam Rigby just before Christmas last year and James finalised his divorce from Sarah Roberts in March.
Sources have claimed the pair are planning their much-anticipated relationship red carpet ‘hard launch’ at the 2024 Logie Awards on August 18.
The couple were hit by Home and Away cast ‘rift’ rumours when their romance emerged, but the pair have since brushed off the claims.
Last month, a source close to the actress told Woman’s Day that stars including Ray Meagher, Lynne McGranger and Emily Symone are all ‘keeping an eye’ on Ada.
She insisted their Home And Away characters Leah Patterson and Justin Morgan getting married on-screen (scene is pictured) was not an early sign of their real-life romance
Most people are just worried about Ada. Ray and Lynne aren’t the kind of people to get involved in someone else’s business and will be keeping their heads down, but they will have raised their concerns with her,’ the insider said.
But Ada brushed off the rumours when she attended show legend Ray Meagher’s 80th birthday party last week with a whole host of her co-stars.
She joined the likes of Kate Ritchie and Emily Symons at the bash, where she was said to have had a ‘lovely time’ with her castmates.
Both Ada and James then took to Instagram to share gushing birthday tributes to Ray as they proved all was well on the Summer Bay set.
James shared group shots of himself and Ada alongside Ray alongside the simple message: ‘Happy Birthday mate!’
The new couple recently brushed off claims of a rift within the cast by sharing photographs with their co-stars to mark show legend Ray Meagher’s 80th birthday
Meanwhile, Ada penned a very lengthy tribute to her ‘father figure’ and ‘life coach’ Ray, who has played Alf Stewart since Home and Away’s very first episode in 1998.
She gushed: ‘I know every love calls him an ”Aussie Icon” but to me Ray you are that and more… you’re a father figure, a friend, financial planner and all round life coach.
‘You are the first person I think of when I need advice or have news to tell you. I look up to you in every way, you really are my role model and the best person to have a laugh with and a drink.
‘Happy 80th birthday Ray!!! And thank you for your love and support, and for always being so kind to my family and caring so much. We all really just adore you!’
