Alf Stewart (Ray Meagher)

[Pantherboy]

Nowtolove.com.au article:


EXCLUSIVE: Beloved Home and Away star's shocking diagnosis
Will Alf come to terms with the crushing news before it's too late?

https://www.nowtolove.com.au/celebri...alf-news-78456

Something is up with Alf Stewart ? but everyone can see it except for him who chooses to ignore critical health advice this week. But will it be to his own detriment?

In recent episodes of Home and Away, John (Shane Withington) noticed Alf was struggling to hear properly. He broached his concern but the stubborn stalwart brushed it off and told him to "mind your own business". But that's wishful thinking in Summer Bay?

At the surf club, Justin (James Stewart) tries to coax Alf into talking but his defenses go up. A flustered Alf admits he could have a medical issue, so he's resigning from the club - immediately! Justin is stunned and turns to Dr Bree (Juliet Godwin) for help.

While resistant at first, Bree convinces Alf to undergo some hearing tests and concludes that he may need hearing aids. It's a huge blow for Alf who feels helpless. Marilyn (Emily Symons) promises to help and get through it together.

Meanwhile, Irene (Lynne McGranger) is thrilled to see someone has responded to her advertisement for a house guest. John has moved out and to cure her loneliness, Irene decided to rent out his old room.

At the Diner, Irene meets Harper (Jessica Redmayne), a social worker on extended holiday. The pair immediately hit it off but watching nearby, John suspects something isn't quite right?

Is there more to her story?



EDIT: The DS article:

Home and Away's Alf Stewart to seek help over his hearing
Albeit very reluctantly.

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hom...earing-issues/

[Pantherboy]

Ray Meagher turns 80 on Thursday:


Daily Telegraph article (subscriber only):


Ray Meagher, who plays Alf Stewart on Home and Away, turns 80
He?s been a fixture on Aussie TV and film screens for more than five decades. This week Ray Meagher celebrates his 80th birthday.

No fuss TV star Ray Meagher will spend his 80th birthday on set of long-running TV soap Home and Away.

The much loved Gold Logie winner will keep Thursday?s milestone celebration low-key, with plans for lunch with a few mates at one of his favourite Sydney restaurants on Friday.

?I?ve got seven straight scenes so I will be up at five in the morning and finish at seven,? Meagher told The Daily Telegraph.

?I?ve always shied away from celebrations a bit. I used to joke with Lynne McGranger (actor who plays Irene) because she would tell everybody her birthday was coming up a month in advance and keep celebrating it for a month after.

?I am perfectly happy to slink under the radar and go along quietly but I love a party, meaning a few beers with a few friends.?

Meagher has been a fixture on the small and big screen since 1973 when he scored his first gig on TV drama Matlock Police. He subsequently appeared on the likes of Number 96, Skyways, A Country Practice, Five Mile Creek, and Mother and Son and in films including Newsfront, Breaker Morant and The Shiralee.

But it is his 37 years playing loveable Alf Stewart ? known for classic Aussie phrases like Stone the flamin? crows ? that makes him an icon to several generations.

Cast and crew marked Meagher?s birthday a few days earlier with drinks at a local pub, where they shared a reel of his life on and off camera.

?Someone pointed out there wasn?t one flamin? or stone the crows or flamin? mongrel, none of those expressions, in the entire clip,? he said. ?I suppose it just points out that maybe there is a little bit more to Alf Stewart than just those expressions.?

Home and Away premiered on Seven in 1988 and has helped launch the careers of some of Australia?s biggest Hollywood exports including Chris Hemsworth, Isla Fisher, Samara Weaving and the late Heath Ledger.

It is a stalwart in a stalwart with a legion of fans here and abroad.

?We?ve been blessed, I don?t think there will be another show in Australia that runs for that long, or certainly not a (TV) drama,? Meagher said.

?Everything these days that screens seems to be miniseries with six eps or 10 eps. In terms of an ongoing thing, I don?t think there will be another one like this when it finally turns its toes up but for the future of technicians and other young actors, I hope that is a long time away.?


(Hopefully you can open this video link):

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...ed&position=24



And:

Home and Away star Ray Meagher reveals the low-key way he plans to spend milestone 80th birthday

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbi...-birthday.html

Ray Meagher will celebrate his 80th birthday on Thursday, but the TV veteran has no big celebrations planned for the milestone.

Instead, the long-time Home and Away star plans to go to work on set like every other day before having a quiet lunch and a 'few beers' with some close friends.

The Gold Logie Award-winning actor said he prefers to 'fly under the radar' and not make a big deal out of his birthday, reported The Daily Telegraph on Wednesday......

[Pantherboy]

H&A Instagram post & a couple more articles for Ray's 80th birthday today:

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8-f2iqt...93&img_index=1


Home and Away legend Ray Meagher shares 80th birthday plans
He's spent almost half his life playing Alf Stewart.

https://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/hom...80th-birthday/


Home and Away shares epic Ray Meagher throwback snaps on milestone birthday
'Happy 80th Birthday to the king of Summer Bay.'

https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/home-...011602583.html