Leah is to catch the eye of Summer Bay newcomer Jamie in an upcoming episode of the soap, kicking off a new storyline for the pair.
© Channel 5
© Channel 5
When Leah heads out to a fundraising event with Natalie and Marilyn, her friends try to interfere in her love life by approaching Jamie and urging him to ask her out.
Not long afterwards, Jamie approaches Leah and the pair end up sharing a kiss after hitting it off.
Nicodemou told TV Week: "I think we can all agree Leah has not had great luck in the romance department. But she hasn't been sitting waiting for another man to come into her life. Any potential partner would need to fit into a family unit, because her relationship with VJ comes first.
"Her last crush on Brax was a bit humiliating for Leah, but she has a full life with the Diner and her son and friends, so she hasn't been actively seeking a partner."
© Channel 5
© Channel 5
On the interference of Natalie and Marilyn, the actress continued: "It's very embarrassing for Leah, but all you can do is play along in that moment. The night ends up bringing something quite unexpected for Leah. I can say this won't be the last time we see Leah with Jamie."
Jamie is played by actor Hugo Johnstone-Burt, who has previously appeared in Cloudstreet and Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.
However, as Johnstone-Burt described his Summer Bay character as a "super-creepy stalker guy" earlier this year, fans may wonder if Leah's new romance could take an unwelcome turn.
Home and Away airs Leah and Jamie's kiss next week on Network Seven in Australia, and in December on Channel 5 in the UK.
