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Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart discuss their on-screen romance and love of the festive season

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Home and Away actress Ada Nicodemou shares her self-care routine
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Theyโ€™ve had to navigate more than their share of challenges, but in doing so, Justin and Leah have thrived, becoming firm favourites with fans since 2019.

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โ€œI believe theyโ€™re currently the longest-running couple on Australian TV, so weโ€™ve created a pretty solid fan base,โ€ James Stewart, who plays Justin to Ada Nicodemouโ€™s Leah, tells TV WEEK.

Justin and Leah have been firm favourites with fans since 2019.

โ€œHusbands and wives at home can identify themselves in them and stick up for their respective points of view.โ€

The dramatic storylines this year, which included an attempt on their lives, have been incredible to watch, but came at a cost.

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โ€œIt was a wonderful opportunity to sink my teeth into the story, but it was very draining,โ€ Ada, 46, who has played Leah since 2000, says. โ€œBy the end of it I was physically and mentally exhausted. It was tough subject matter, but I wanted to do it justice.โ€

James, 48, says his colleague โ€œknocked it out of the parkโ€.

โ€œIt amazes me that Ada has been doing this for a while,โ€ he says.

โ€œIt amazes me that Ada has been doing this for a while and still finds performances like she does,โ€ he says.

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Both actors are looking to soak up some relaxation with their families this Christmas.

โ€œThereโ€™s always food [at Christmas],โ€ Ada says of her get-together. โ€œWeโ€™re also very lucky that this year weโ€™re going to be welcoming a new baby for Christmas โ€“ my brother and sister-in-law are having a second child.โ€

After a health scare this year which saw Ada suffer a back injury that required surgery โ€“ as well as a busy schedule surrounding her TV WEEK Logie Award nomination in June โ€“ sheโ€™s eager to spend time with her son Johnas, 11, and partner Adam Rigby.

โ€œWe just want to hang out,โ€ she says.

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Meanwhile, James, who was also nominated for a Logie in 2023, is enjoying the best gift of all: his 11-year-old daughter Scoutโ€™s curiosity about life.

โ€œA highlight is watching how intelligent Scout has become,โ€ he says. โ€œSheโ€™s just a sponge. Also, Iโ€™m a sucker for performance gifts โ€“ recently, she drew me a whale in grey pencil and I was absolutely stunned. Sheโ€™s amazing!โ€

Much like his character, James wonโ€™t be far from the sand this summer: โ€œItโ€™s all about family, beach, barbecues, surfing, guitars, laughs, siestas, books, love and sunshine!โ€ he says.

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