By JIMMY BRIGGS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 00:13 BST, 16 May 2025 | Updated: 00:13 BST, 16 May 2025

She is a veteran Australian soap opera actress with over three decades of experience in the industry.

Since 2000, she has appeared on Channel Seven’s Home and Away as one of its most beloved characters.

Last year, she made headlines when a real-life romance blossomed with the actor who plays her on-screen husband.

On Wednesday, the Sydney-born star shared some adorable throwback photos to social media that captured her looking unrecognisable as a child.

One throwback picture captured her in uniform posing for her primary school photos, while another showed her as a young child playing dressing up in fancy clothes.

Despite looking world’s away from the glamorous star she became, she still had her trademark cheeky grin. 

She is a veteran Australian soap opera actress with over three decades of experience in the industry. The Sydney-born star shared some adorable throwback photos to social media which captured her looking unrecognisable as a child

She is a veteran Australian soap opera actress with over three decades of experience in the industry. The Sydney-born star shared some adorable throwback photos to social media which captured her looking unrecognisable as a child

So, can you guess who it is? 

Of course, it is Ada Nicodemou, the veteran Home and Away star who has played Leah Patterson on the long-running drama since 2000.

Ada shared the precious photos to mark her milestone 48th birthday and captioned the gallery with some reflective words: ‘Where did the time go?’

Many of Ada’s celebrity friends took to the comment section with words of support.

‘Happy birthday darling. Hope you’re getting spoilt! Can’t wait to catch up again soon,’ gushed Home and Away veteran Lynne McGranger.

‘Happy birthday!!!! Only one year till your 49th,’ added radio star Brendan ‘Jonesy’ Jones.

In July last year, Ada revealed the differences between her real-life relationship with co-star James Stewart and their on-screen romance.

The lovebirds were first linked earlier that year when they were seen sharing a kiss on Anzac Day – and a few months later, Ada finally broke her silence on their romance.

Of course, it is Ada Nicodemou, the veteran Home and Away star who has played Leah Patterson since 2000. Pictured with her co-star boyfriend James Stewart

Of course, it is Ada Nicodemou, the veteran Home and Away star who has played Leah Patterson since 2000. Pictured with her co-star boyfriend James Stewart 

One throwback picture captured her in uniform posing for her primary school photos

One throwback picture captured her in uniform posing for her primary school photos

Despite looking world's away from the glamorous star she became, she still had her trademark cheeky grin

Despite looking world’s away from the glamorous star she became, she still had her trademark cheeky grin

The veteran actress told 2Day FM’s Hughesy, Ed and Erin her off-screen relationship with Stewart, 49, was much ‘happier’ than their soap opera one. 

‘We are definitely happier in real life! Do you know what [our characters] Leah and Justin have gone through?’ Ada began. 

‘Leah’s been kidnapped so many times and she threatened Justin with a knife! In real life, we are really boring.’

The pair have known each other since 1998 when they co-starred on the short-lived Channel Ten soap opera Breakers, and started appearing together on Home and Away in 2016, when Stewart joined the series.

Ada added having their long-time friendship blossom into romance was an incredible experience – and they kept things strictly professional while on the set.

‘We’ve known each other for a very long time. Like 25 years. We’ve been friends for a very long time. It was very unexpected but we’re happy… it’s really lovely,’ she explained.

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Guess who! Home and Away star shares adorable throwback photo as she celebrates 48th birthday

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