It’s been a rocky road to the altar for Home And Away favourite Leah Patterson and she’s taken things slowly with her true love Justin Morgan, but finally their wedding day has arrived – and this time, it’s forever!
“She loves this man,” tells actress Ada Nicodemou, 46, who has played Leah for 24 years. “She can’t believe her luck to be there and to be marrying him after everything they’ve been through.
“How patient he’s been with her, the beautiful man he is, how they’ve stuck together through a lot… They do really love and support each other, and it’s great to see that joy and celebrate their love.”
None other than Summer Bay stalwart Alf Stewart, played by Ray Meagher, 79, will escort Leah to the wedding. John Palmer, 65 (Shane Withington), will overcome his nerves to act as celebrant on the surprising day.
Her groom Justin, played by hunky James Stewart, 48, has organised everything, and for once Leah is happy to just let go and enjoy the ride.
“I don’t know if you’re aware of it, but Leah is a bit of a control freak,” Ada laughs. “But she decided in the lead-up to the wedding to give over all control to Justin, so she has no idea about anything to do with it. She knows what she’s wearing, but no idea where the venue is, who’s coming or anything about the food!”
That leads to a bit of stress early in the day, when Leah learns some much-loved friends and family might not be able to make it. But what she finds when she arrives at the mystery location soon brings tears of joy.
“Alf takes her to the wedding, Justin surprises her with a beautiful song and there are unexpected guests,” Ada says. “It’s a joyous day.”
On screen, that is. Ada adds that the two days of filming were some of the hottest and most fly-filled she had ever experienced in the Hunter Valley, just north of Sydney.
“It was filmed at this gorgeous winery and every shot is magical,” Ada enthuses. “My wedding dress was perfect – simple, elegant and beautiful. But the problem is that when you’re wearing anything corseted in the heat for two days straight, 16 hours a day, it gets a little uncomfortable! As beautiful as the dress is, I was happy to see the end of it by the end of the second day!”
Meanwhile, Leah delights in envisioning a long and happy future with Justin.
“This is it for her,” Ada says. “For a long time, she was adamant she wasn’t going to get married again. As much as she loves Justin, she didn’t feel they needed to do that. But after the awful year they’ve had – and also for Leah, who hasn’t had a lot of luck in the marriage department prior to this – it just feels right.
“When the suggestion of marriage arose, I told the writers, ‘I want it to be nice. I don’t want something awful to happen.’ We just need to see a really lovely Home And Away wedding – something joyous and about love… And it is!”
Leah’s loves
Vinnie Patterson
Leah arrived in Summer Bay as a runaway bride in 2000. She first married Vinnie, portrayed by Ryan Kwanten. Soon, their son Vinnie Jr, aka VJ, was born.
Dan Barker
After Vinnie’s death, Leah remarried in 2005. She wed Dan, portrayed by Tim Campbell. Unfortunately, Dan later died in an abseiling accident.
Zac MacGuire
Zac, portrayed by Charlie Clausen, arrived in 2015. He initially appeared perfect, but they divorced due to his affair.
