Love has leapt from the sands of Summer Bay into real life in the most dazzling way imaginable. Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, two of the most cherished faces from Home and Away,

have officially announced their engagement after nearly two years of dating — and the moment was every bit as cinematic as the romances that play out on screen.

The news arrived with a burst of joy on Sunday when Stewart, 50, shared intimate footage of the proposal. In the clip, the actor drops to one knee in a public setting, eyes shining,

voice thick with emotion as he delivers a heartfelt declaration of love. Ada, 48, visibly overwhelmed, doesn’t hesitate. She leans in, wraps him in an embrace, and seals her answer with a kiss that instantly sent fans into meltdown.

Behind them, friends and family erupt into cheers, turning the private commitment into a communal celebration. It is messy, loud, beautiful — and undeniably real.

A Ring Worthy of a Soap Romance

Moments after the proposal, the couple posed for photographs, and that’s when the internet collectively gasped. Flashing on Ada’s hand was a breathtaking diamond, large enough to catch the sun — and the attention of every fan scrolling past.

The ring became an instant co-star of the announcement, symbolizing not only a promise of forever but the extraordinary journey that brought them here.

Celebrity friends rushed to the comments within minutes. Kyly Clarke admitted she was in tears, while Liz Cantor kept it simple and emphatic, calling the engagement “the best.” The sentiment echoed across the industry: this was a union people had been rooting for.

From Colleagues to Soulmates

What makes the engagement resonate so deeply is the history. Nicodemou and Stewart didn’t meet last year. They didn’t lock eyes across a crowded premiere and tumble into whirlwind infatuation.

They have known each other for decades.

For years, they were co-workers, friends, familiar presences moving through the long, demanding rhythms of soap production. Then something shifted. A spark where none had existed before.

Ada has spoken candidly about how disorienting that realization felt. Feelings for someone you’ve known for 25 or 30 years don’t arrive with fireworks; they creep in quietly and then refuse to be ignored.

When she recognized the chemistry, she was stunned.

The Kiss That Confirmed Everything

Rumors began swirling in early 2024 after the pair were spotted sharing a kiss on Anzac Day. For fans who had watched their on-screen counterparts build intimacy, it felt like fiction bleeding into life.

Yet both actors stayed guarded. They understood the fascination but wanted space to define the relationship on their own terms.

When Ada finally confirmed the romance in an interview months later, she chose her words carefully. It was new. It was unexpected. And it made her incredibly happy.

Keeping It Close to the Chest

Interestingly, their castmates discovered the truth much the same way the public did — by observation. Ada later revealed she had confided only in a tight inner circle at work. There was no dramatic announcement, no official memo.

People simply noticed.

In an environment as close-knit as a soap set, secrets rarely stay hidden for long. But the low-key approach allowed the relationship to grow without the pressure of spectacle.

Home and Away lovers Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart have announced their engagement, after almost two years of dating

Life Mirroring Art — But Not Predicting It

At the time, viewers couldn’t help drawing parallels between reality and storyline. Ada’s Leah Patterson and Stewart’s Justin Morgan were married on screen, prompting inevitable speculation that the scripts had foretold the future.

Ada laughed off the idea. The fictional wedding wasn’t a clue; it was coincidence. Real love, she insisted, had arrived in its own unpredictable time.

New Chapters After Difficult Endings

Both actors stepped into the relationship after significant personal transitions. Ada had ended her partnership with Adam Rigby shortly before Christmas. James finalized his divorce from Sarah Roberts in March 2024.

By the time they found each other romantically, they were ready — older, perhaps wiser, certainly more aware of what they valued.

Friends say that shared maturity has been the bedrock of their bond.

Why This Engagement Hits Differently

Soap audiences invest uniquely in love stories. They watch characters fight for happiness through betrayal, illness, distance, and disaster. Seeing two actors from that universe find joy together off screen feels like a reward for years of emotional commitment.

It reassures fans that fairytale endings might exist outside the script too.

On Sunday, James, 50, shared a precious clip to social media which captured the heartfelt moment he got down on one knee and proposed to Ada, 48, in public

James absolutely beamed in the sweet footage as he was seen sharing a heartfelt vow to Ada, who accepted the proposal by leaning in and giving her partner a huge kiss

 

What Happens Next?

Wedding plans remain under wraps, but speculation is already rampant. Beach ceremony? Intimate garden? A guest list filled with Summer Bay royalty?

Whatever shape the day takes, anticipation will be enormous.

A Moment of Pure Light

In an entertainment cycle often dominated by breakups and scandals, this announcement is something rarer: uncomplicated happiness. Two people who built friendship first, who were surprised by love, and who now choose to promise forever.

As Ada’s diamond continues to sparkle across timelines worldwide, one truth is undeniable.

Sometimes, the most powerful dramas don’t need writers at all.