Ada Nicodemou has revealed more details about her ‘unexpected’ romance with her Home and Away co-star James Stewart.
The on-screen lovebirds revealed their off-screen relationship when they were pictured sharing a kiss on Anzac Day this year.
During an appearance on Monday’s Sunrise, Ada, 47, confirmed she is dating her long-time co-star James, 48, and gushed about the actor.
‘Look, you know, whether [our romance] is out there or not, it doesn’t really change, you know, our relationship. Um, you know, we’re happy. We’re together,’ Ada said as her face lit up with a smile.
James is just such an amazing actor. I love working with him. That’s not changed as well. Yeah, so whether it’s out there or not doesn’t really change anything for us.’
Ada also explained how they manage to keep their work and personal lives separate, insisting they maintain a high level of professionalism on set despite their romantic involvement.
‘No, we’re professionals, you know, we respect each other. We turn up to work. We do as, obviously, we’ve got a lot of scenes together,’ she said.
‘We’ve always had a lot of scenes together, but no, no, they’re very separate things.’
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.
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.
‘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!’
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!’