Home and Away embroiled in Channel Seven bloodbath as execs lash out at Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart’s huge salaries

Home and Away’s biggest stars are finding themselves in the crosshairs of Network Seven executives, with their salaries the latest to be called into question amid the bloodbath.

Well-known names like Ada Nicodemou and James Stewart, whose fortunes are estimated to be in the millions, have had their huge salaries put on hold.

As Seven continues to cut jobs, an inside source has told Daily Mail Australia that their biggest soap stars won’t be getting a pay rise anytime soon.

“I don’t think it’s the right time for Ada Nicodemou or James Stewart to renegotiate their contracts,” the source said.

“Although the series still leads the ratings, the long-running soap opera will not be spared from budget cuts as the network tightens its belt.

“The current management team is preserving the network, but it’s fair to say that the glory days of highly paid soap stars are over.”

They then said executives had taken a hard look at the salaries of some of their original Home and Away talent, and that they might “reduce their screen time”.

“It’s something Neighbours did with Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne. Even Ryan Maloney is now playing a more profitable role behind the scenes,” they revealed.

“The show can’t afford to lose these famous characters, but they send them to Yabbie Creek for a month or two.

“That’s where you can expect to see some of those cuts appear on screen.”

Although the measures were taken to protect the popular long-running soap opera, the network believes the show will survive the budget cuts unscathed.

However, the source says that in the meantime, “anyone who wants a pay rise in this high-rating soap opera will have to wait until next year.”

While it’s unclear exactly how much Home and Away’s biggest names are paid, stars like Ada, 47, and James, 48, are reportedly worth millions in total for their work on the show.

Ada, who is currently dating James on and off screen, previously flaunted her flashy $147,000 Porsche Macan in 2018.

Veteran star Ray Meagher, who plays the beloved Alf Stewart, was also reportedly earning $500,000 a year in 2009, a figure that has likely increased.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Seven for comment.