One of the original Home And Away stars is leaving the show after 30 years
He's the longest-standing character on the show
Author: Emma DoddsPublished 17th Sep 2018 Last updated 18th Sep 2018
Home And Away star Ray Meagher has revealed that he's leaving the soap after playing character Alf Stewart for 30 years. After joining the show when it first started back in 1988, the Australian actor has played Alf ever since as one of the original 18 characters of the show, and was the only remaining one of those until announcing his departure.
In an interview with Australia's New Idea magazine, Ray revealed that he's leaving the show in order to perform on stage in a production of Priscilla Queen Of The Desert as Bob the mechanic - a role he has previously held.
He told the publication, "It's a privilege to have a job for 30 years and really enjoy it for that time."
Ray even joked that there were similarities between the two characters, saying, "I always think Bob is like Alf on Valium! He's more of a laid-back character than Alf," adding that he couldn't wait to get back on the stage.
"I never thought in my wildest dreams I’d ever do a big musical like Priscilla," he said, adding, "Singing and dancing are not my forte, but I just love it! It’s fantastic entertainment."
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One of the original Home And Away stars is leaving the show after 30 years
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Sally Carman and Joe Duttine
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Status: Dating
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Rory popped the question to Nadine in December 2018 - during a trip to Amsterdam! Status: Engaged
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Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb
Matthew Wolfenden and Charley Webb - Met on Emmerdale. Status: Married.
Charlie Clapham and Stephanie Davis - The Hollyoaks actors dated in 2014. Status: Split.
Charlie Clapham and Stephanie Davis
Charlie Clapham and Stephanie Davis - The Hollyoaks actors dated in 2014. Status: Split.
James Sutton and Sammy Winward - The Emmerdale co-stars had a brief romance in 2010. Status: Split.
James Sutton and Sammy Winward
James Sutton and Sammy Winward - The Emmerdale co-stars had a brief romance in 2010. Status: Split.
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Peter Amory and Claire King
Peter Amory and Claire King - The Emmerdale actors were married for 10 years. Status: Divorced.
Jennifer James and Lee Boardman - These Coronation Street co-stars married in 2001. Status: Married.
Jennifer James and Lee Boardman
Jennifer James and Lee Boardman - These Coronation Street co-stars married in 2001. Status: Married.
Chris Chittell and Lesley Dunlop - These Emmerdale co-stars recently married in Cornwall. Status: Married.
Chris Chittell and Lesley Dunlop
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Samantha Giles and Peter Amory
Samantha Giles and Peter Amory - Met on Emmerdale. Status: Split.
Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas - The Coronation Street couple a child together in 2008. Status: Split.
Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas
Tina O'Brien and Ryan Thomas - The Coronation Street couple a child together in 2008. Status: Split.
Alfie Browne-Sykes and Amanda Clapham - The Hollyoaks co-stars are reportedly dating. Status: Together.
Alfie Browne-Sykes and Amanda Clapham
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This Hollyoaks couple were married for 16 years. Status: Separated.
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Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan - The Neighbours co-stars split in 1989. Status: Split.
Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan
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The Emmerdale couple and college sweetheart married in 2003. Status: Married.
Jeff Hordley and Zoe Henry
The Emmerdale couple and college sweetheart married in 2003. Status: Married.
Alan Halsall and Lucy Jo Hudson - The pair married in 2009. Status: Married.
Alan Halsall and Lucy Jo Hudson
Alan Halsall and Lucy Jo Hudson - The pair married in 2009, but new reports suggest they have now split. Status: Split
Emmett J. Scanlan and Claire Cooper - These Hollyoaks co-stars tied the knot in January. Status: Married.
Emmett J. Scanlan and Claire Cooper
Emmett J. Scanlan and Claire Cooper - These Hollyoaks co-stars tied the knot in January. Status: Married.
Nadia Swalha and Marc Bannerman - The Eastenders stars dated for three years. Status: Split.
Nadia Swalha and Marc Bannerman
Nadia Swalha and Marc Bannerman - The EastEnders stars dated for three years. Status: Split.
Charlie Clapham and Tamara Wall - The Hollyoaks actors previously dated. Status: Split.
Charlie Clapham and Tamara Wall
Charlie Clapham and Tamara Wall - The Hollyoaks actors previously dated. Status: Split.
Anna Passey and Nick Rhys - It's thought these two Hollyoaks stars have been together for over a year. Status: Together.
Anna Passey and Nick Rhys
Anna Passey and Nick Rhys - It's thought these two Hollyoaks stars have been together for over a year. Status: Together.
Claire Goose and Jonathan Kerrigan - This casualty co-stars dated for several years. Status: Split.
Claire Goose and Jonathan Kerrigan
Claire Goose and Jonathan Kerrigan - These Casualty co-stars dated for several years. Status: Split.
Harley Bonner and Ariel Kaplan - Met on Neighbours. Status: Together. (Instagram, aroelerin)
Harley Bonner and Ariel Kaplan
Harley Bonner and Ariel Kaplan - Met on Neighbours. Status: Together.
Chris Milligan and Jenna Rosenow - Met on Neighbours. Status: Together. (Instagram, jennarosenow)
Chris Milligan and Jenna Rosenow
Chris Milligan and Jenna Rosenow - Met on Neighbours. Status: Together.
Corrie actors Daniel Brocklebank and Rob Mallard were dating until they ended their romance in July 2017
Daniel Brocklebank and Rob Mallard
Corrie actors Daniel Brocklebank and Rob Mallard were dating until they ended their romance in July 2017.
Status: Split
Sophie Porley and Adam Woodward
Hollyoaks actors Sophie Porley (Ellie Nightingale) and Adam Woodward (Brody Hudson) are now dating. Status: Together
Alf has played the role of Bob in the show on and off since 2007, taking over the role from fellow Aussie Bill Hunter. He previously took a short break from playing Alf on Home And Away to perform in the show in April 2010, but there's no word yet on whether he'll return to the soap after this stint in the production.
