Ada Nicodemou burst onto the scene as runaway bride Leah Poulos in March 2000. In fact, she arrived in town wearing a wedding gown!
Passionate, talkative and big-hearted, Home And Away fans were instantly smitten with the traditional Greek girl.
From her baby woes to near-death experiences and all the drama in between, let’s wind back the clock and reflect on her biggest moments to date.
Vinnie Dies: During the 2002 season finale, Leah received news that husband Vinnie Patterson (Ryan Kwanten) had perished in a fire at the prison.
VJ Arrives: Leah and Vinnie’s son was born at the end of 2001. But celebrations were cut short when Vinnie was arrested for fraud.
Surrogate for Sally: Leah offered to be a surrogate for Sally (Kate Ritchie) and Flynn (Joel McIlroy).
The pregnancy tested the best friends, but they overcame their problems to welcome Pippa Saunders in 2004.
Ada Nicodemou on her friendship with Lynne McGranger
The Siege: In 2004, seeking revenge for her boyfriend’s death, Sarah Lewis (Luisa Hastings Edge) held locals hostage at Leah’s house. After Sarah attacked Peter, he was left in a coma – but not before revealing Vinnie was still alive.
The Bus Crash: At the hands of Nate’s (Kyle Pryor) unhinged estranged wife Sophie (Bridgette Sneddon), Leah was in a horrific bus crash in 2014. She was thrown from the vehicle and was in a coma for three months.
