Home and Away Star James Stewart Pops the Question on Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day proved to be a truly unforgettable occasion for Home and Away star James Stewart, as he dropped to one knee and proposed to his beloved partner and co-star, Ada Nicodemou. The romantic gesture unfolded in a public park, with a dapper James, 50, asking for Ada’s hand in marriage amidst a crowd of onlookers, including his 13-year-old daughter, Scout.
Ada, 48, radiant in a striking scarlet gown, joyfully accepted the proposal, her nod and a tender kiss sealing the heartfelt commitment.
“I said yes!!!” Ada exuberantly announced on Instagram, sparking a wave of delighted messages from friends and fans alike. Former Home and Away co-star Lynne McGranger was quick to share her excitement: “Oh my heart!! So thrilled for both of you!! Of course Jimmy proposed and you said yes!!! on Valentines Day!! Excellent news!! Wishing you guys every happiness.” Actress Emily Symons echoed the sentiment, adding, “This is the most wonderful news! Congratulations Ada and Jimmy, you deserve every happiness.”
A New Chapter for James and Ada, A Different Path for Sarah Roberts
As James and Ada embark on this exciting new chapter, attention also turned to James’s ex-wife, Sarah Roberts, also a familiar face from Home and Away. Sarah, who publicly announced her separation from James in an interview earlier this year, has clearly moved on and is embracing her own happiness.
Sarah took to social media to share a touching tribute to her current partner, Sydney-based cinematographer and artist, Jake Iesu. Alongside a photo of the couple sharing a kiss, she affectionately described him as her “cockacino barista, therapist, cleaner, masseuse, no. 1 cheerleader (apart from my Mum), chef, line reader, uber driver, best mate – JI.”
Her Valentine’s Day post also extended to celebrating the profound value of platonic love. “And I also want to celebrate the love I have for my friendships…I think platonic love is underrated…I love you all & appreciate you all so much,” she wrote.
Embracing Self-Love and Friendship
In the same heartfelt post, Sarah offered words of encouragement to those who might have spent Valentine’s Day without a partner. Reflecting on her own journey, she shared, “When I was single, I used to like thinking that being alone is not lonely, even though it feels like that sometimes. You are simply by yourself. You are WITH yourself. And what a great love story it is to fall in love with yourself.” She emphasized that learning to love oneself first is a crucial step, leading to everything else falling into place.
Accompanying her message were poignant affirmations: “Be so full of love for yourself that no one has the power to starve you.” Another powerful statement read, “Today we celebrate the friends who change our lives with their existence. The ones who stay constant in your life whilst everything else feels subject to change.”
Sarah and James tied the knot in July 2019, having first met on the set of the popular Channel 7 drama.
Sarah Roberts Opens Up About Divorce and Finding Strength
Sarah candidly discussed her divorce from James for the first time in an interview, revealing her initial apprehension due to the perceived “stigma and shame” surrounding the experience. “I just want to say that I am divorced…,” she told the publication. “What I’ve learnt from this journey of becoming a divorcee is that it’s so important to reach out to others who have experienced similar things and not hide in the shadows.”
She admitted to having “hid for a very long time,” experiencing moments where she felt overwhelmed by complex emotions and struggled to see a way forward. However, by choosing honesty, she expressed a hope to “free myself, and potentially free a lot of other people, to be able to speak their truth.”
At the time of their separation, Sarah suggested that they had simply grown in different directions. “My belief of marriage is that two people grow and learn from each other together. Sometimes people just grow apart and that’s OK,” she explained. “I got to a point where I realised I couldn’t grow in the way I wanted to within this particular relationship.”
A Look Back: James Stewart’s Past Relationships
Before his marriage to Sarah Roberts, James Stewart was engaged to actress Jessica Marais, known for her role in Packed to the Rafters.
The End of an Era: Jessica Marais and James Stewart’s Separation
James Stewart and Jessica Marais parted ways in 2015 after a six-year relationship. The couple shares a daughter, Scout. At the time of their split, a representative stated, “Jessica Marais and James Stewart have amicably separated. Their main focus at this time is the co-parenting of their daughter.”
Sources close to the former couple indicated to Woman’s Day that their relationship had experienced “cracks for years,” and that in the months leading up to the announcement, the situation had become “increasingly toxic.”
