Home and Away icon Ray Meagher slams show that made him a household name for straying too far from its roots: ‘It’s not Summer Bay’
He is known for his beloved character Alf Stewart in Seven’s Home and Away.
But 79-year-old actor Ray Meagher is no slouch when it comes to covering the show that has helped him become a TV icon over the past 36 years.
In a candid new interview, Ray has criticized the soap for becoming less wholesome.
He suggested that the crime-based storylines that have dominated Summer Bay story action for more than a decade have caused the show to stray too far from its 80s roots.
“There’s still a love for a River Boy,” Ray said of the show’s recent casting of “bad boys” in a chat with the industry blog Television tonight.
In a surprise interview, Ray Meagher, 79, came out to slam Home and Away for straying too far from its roots. The actor has been playing Alf in the series for 36 years. (Pictured)
“I mean, that was just a great period. But was it Summer Bay? Hmmm…. not to that extent in my humble opinion.’
Ray’s comment referenced the popular “River Boys” storyline that launched in 2011.
It featured a trio of tough male characters, played by Lincoln Younes, Steve Peacocke and Dan Ewing, who cause trouble in Summer Bay.
In an interview with industry blog TV Tonight, Ray believes the violent and seedy storylines that have dominated the past decade have made the soap less healthy. Pictured: Ray with Home and Away cast members.
Meagher, who has played Alf on the show since its debut in 1988, praised the talent behind the ‘River Boys’ storylines.
But he believes it conflicted with the show’s original premise, which centered on a family bringing foster children to a small seaside village.
Ray said there was “nothing wrong” with The River Boys’ “sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll” storyline, but added, “Except it came in too big a dose.”
Last year, Ray extended his contract to star in Home and Away for another five years.
It comes after Ray extended his contract for a further five years in Home and Away in early 2022.
In a surprising revelation, Ray said he never thought he had a big future on the show.
“We had done the pilot and to be honest, I was older and more cynical, and was convinced it would crash and burn like most (shows) do,” he said.
The River Boys from Home and Away: actors Lincoln Younes, Dan Ewing and Steve Peacocke.
Ray told me Scottish sun he was eventually persuaded by the producers to sign on to the show for six months – after first turning down their offer of a two-year contract.
“I’ve never really had a target of years or anything like that,” he said.
‘People often say: why would you stay so long?
“I think the fundamental answer is the people. We have a great crew and some of them have been there almost as long as I have.”
Home and Away screens on Seven.