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James Stewart shows he’s a softie on his girl’s big day

THINGS “GOT REAL” FOR ‘HOME and Away star James Stewart at the playground gate, linking up with former fiancée Jessica Marais for their daughter Scout’s first day at primary school on Feb. 2.

“That’s when it hit me as her father that I have to step back and let Scout find her first steps of independence,” says Sydney-based Stewart, 42. “I couldn’t help but fret for her … I’ve done nothing but help her all her life. Now it’s her turn. As she walked off, I slid the sunnies down over my tears.”

The proud parents, who met as co-stars on Packed to the Rafters, split in 2015 after a five-year engagement, when Scout was 3. Now their little girl is 5, Stewart and Love Child favourite Marais, 33, remain committed co-parents. “Jess and I talk every day, or every second day, discuss what we need to discuss,” he told New Idea in 2016. “If you’re in the public eye, dignity is key.”

And they maintained their united front as they dropped a thrilled but slightly scared Scout to school. “Seeing Scout in her uniform for the first time felt like our first milestone—choked me up a bit,” says Stewart. “She was so excited, particularly with her tunic and her backpack. But she was nervous about making new friends and now she wasn’t a baby anymore, she was worried that she wouldn’t be cute.” ■

Nov. 2 was a big day for Scout Edie Stewart (who made her debut in WHO, below) when parents James Stewart and Jessica Marais took her for a school visit. “I think Jess and I are more nervous,” Stewart reflected. ‘BEST INTERESTS’ Co-parenting as exes,...