For Home and Away favourites Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, the past year has been defined by contrast. On screen, their characters Leah Patterson and Justin Morgan have been pushed to emotional breaking point, navigating grief, distance, and uncertainty. Off screen, however, the real life couple are embracing a chapter filled with laughter, love, and ambitious family plans that stretch far beyond Summer Bay.

Happiness, they say, does not follow a single formula. But for Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, one thing has proven constant: laughter. “We never stop laughing,” James shares, a simple phrase that perfectly captures the spirit of their relationship. It is this shared joy, they believe, that has become the foundation not only of their romance, but of the blended family life they are carefully building together.

Although audiences now see them as a couple both on and off screen, their real life romance did not happen overnight. Ada and James spent years working side by side as close friends, developing trust and familiarity long before romance entered the picture. That deep friendship, they say, made all the difference when their relationship shifted in 2024.

Their love story became public later that year when they made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2024 TV Week Logie Awards. Stepping out together in coordinated looks, they instantly became one of the night’s most talked about pairs. The moment felt less like a reveal and more like a natural progression, a reflection of a bond that had quietly been growing for years.

James, now 50, believes their friendship laid the strongest possible foundation. From the beginning, humour played a central role. Laughter, he explains, was not something that faded once the excitement settled. It became part of their everyday rhythm, a way of navigating both the ordinary and the challenging moments of life.

Ada, 48, echoes that sentiment. She describes their relationship as joyful, grounding, and unexpectedly peaceful. Feeling genuinely content, she says, has been one of the most rewarding aspects of being together. After years of intense work schedules and personal challenges, that sense of calm feels especially precious.

That warmth was on full display during TV Week’s exclusive Home and Away Christmas shoot. Between takes, Ada and James danced, joked, and laughed their way through the day, creating an atmosphere that was light, playful, and full of affection. The contrast between their off screen energy and their on screen reality could not have been more striking.

In Summer Bay, Leah and Justin have endured one of their most difficult years yet. Their marriage has been tested by profound grief and emotional distance, with Leah struggling to cope with the devastating loss of her nephew Theo. Her inability to process that trauma placed strain on her relationship with Justin, creating moments of silence, frustration, and misunderstanding that resonated deeply with viewers.

As the season finale approached, uncertainty loomed large over the couple’s future. With emotions raw and wounds still open, questions about where Leah and Justin will stand in 2026 remain unanswered. The storyline has been one of the show’s most emotionally grounded arcs, exploring how grief can quietly erode even the strongest bonds.

Adding to Leah’s heartbreak was the loss of her close friend Irene, who left Summer Bay following an Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Ada has openly admitted that this storyline was emotionally draining to film. The scenes required her to sit with themes of loss, memory, and inevitability, drawing on a level of vulnerability that stayed with her long after the cameras stopped rolling.

After such an intense year on screen, it is no surprise that Ada is ready for a change of scenery. This Christmas, she and James are heading to Europe, with stops planned in Dublin and Oslo. One of the highlights they are hoping for is the chance to witness the northern lights, an experience that feels worlds away from the sun soaked shores of Summer Bay.

James is particularly excited about the trip, as it will mark his first ever white Christmas. Ada, by contrast, is already preparing herself for the cold, stocking up on thermals, boots, and heavy coats in anticipation of freezing temperatures. The idea of swapping Australian summer for European winter feels like a refreshing adventure for both of them.

Their travel plans do not end there. Next year, the couple will return to Europe with their children for an extended family adventure. Ada’s son Jonas and James’ daughter Scout will join them on a journey spanning Cyprus, Italy, France, Spain, and London. It is a trip designed not just for sightseeing, but for shared memories and connection.

The children are already getting involved in the planning. Jonas, in particular, has one clear request: attending a Liverpool football match. Both Ada and James say they are proud of how the kids have settled into year seven, navigating the transition with maturity and confidence.

Ada admits she was surprised by how smoothly the adjustment went. Both Jonas and Scout, she says, are thriving, excelling academically, and showing an impressive level of independence. Watching them grow has been one of the most rewarding aspects of the past year, reinforcing the sense that their blended family is finding its rhythm.

For James, recently turning 50 has been less about change and more about reflection. Rather than focusing on milestones or expectations, he says the birthday encouraged him to slow down and appreciate life, love, and family on a deeper level. It is a perspective that aligns closely with the values he and Ada share.

From overseas adventures to unforgettable moments closer to home, the couple say life currently feels full. One such memory still makes them laugh: a North Queensland holiday where James famously kissed a cane toad, a moment that perfectly encapsulates their playful dynamic and willingness to embrace the absurd.

As long as there is love and laughter, Ada and James insist they would not have it any other way. For fans, that authenticity is part of what makes them so compelling both on and off screen. While Leah and Justin continue to face uncertain times in Summer Bay, Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart are stepping into the future with optimism, curiosity, and a shared sense of joy.

And as Home and Away continues to explore the fragile balance between heartbreak and hope, their real life story serves as a reminder that even after the most challenging chapters, laughter can still lead the way forward.