In a stunning revelation that brings a close to a beloved celebrity romance, Home and Away actress Sarah Roberts has confirmed she is divorced from her former co-star, James Stewart, after five years of marriage. Roberts, who played the fan-favorite character Willow Harris, opened up about the end of her marriage in a candid interview with Stellar magazine, explaining that the couple had simply “grown apart.” The news comes after months of quiet speculation among fans and media.

The couple, who met on the set of the long-running Australian soap opera in 2017, quickly became one of the industry’s golden pairs. Their on-screen chemistry as Willow Harris and Justin Morgan blossomed into a real-life fairytale, culminating in a picturesque wedding in Luttrellstown Castle in Dublin, Ireland, in July 2019. For many, their union seemed destined to last.

However, in her heartfelt conversation with Stellar, Roberts explained that the reality of their relationship was more complex. “My belief in marriage is that two people grow and learn from each other together,” she said. “Sometimes people just grow apart, and that’s okay. I got to a point where I realised I couldn’t grow in the way I wanted to within this particular relationship.” The actress also shed light on the emotional toll the split took on her. “I’ve been really afraid of talking about this because of what I’ve felt to be the stigma and shame around it,” she admitted. She hopes that by speaking her truth, she can free herself and others from similar burdens. “I hid for a very long time,” she revealed. “But I hope that by just being honest today, I’ll free myself, and potentially free a lot of other people, to be able to speak their truth.”

According to sources close to the couple, the split was “complex,” with some suggesting that Roberts’ career aspirations to work abroad in the US clashed with Stewart’s desire to remain in Australia, where his primary focus is on his daughter, Scout, from a previous relationship. Roberts’s strong bond with Scout, whom she described as a core part of her life, reportedly made the decision to end the marriage even more difficult. “I didn’t only choose to marry a man, I also chose to marry his daughter,” she stated, adding that her love for Scout remains infinite.

The public divorce has been particularly hard to navigate for both stars. Roberts shared that seeing the news play out in the media “absolutely ripped my heart in a million little pieces.” In the wake of the split, she has found solace and support from friends, crediting them with helping to “bring [her] back to life” and giving her a “safe haven on this twisty-turny journey.”

Both Roberts and Stewart are now moving forward with their lives. Roberts, who has been documenting her travels and new projects, has also found love again with Sydney cinematographer Jake Iesu. Stewart, who continues to star in Home and Away, has also reportedly found a new partner in his co-star Ada Nicodemou, with their new relationship becoming public after they were spotted together in July 2024.

The divorce marks the end of a high-profile union that captured the hearts of many, but for Sarah Roberts, it’s also a new beginning. She is looking ahead with a newfound sense of self-worth and a positive outlook, stating that the challenging times have served as “fuel in my belly.” As both actors embark on their new chapters, their five-year marriage remains a significant part of Summer Bay’s history, a love story that, while it didn’t last forever, left an indelible mark on their lives.