Strewth! Home and Away’s Alf gets a love interest

It has been a long time between drinks for much loved Home and Away character Alf Stewart. In fact in more than three decades on air as Stewart, actor Ray Meagher has only had two love interests.

It has been a long time between drinks for much loved Home and Away character Alf Stewart.

In fact in more than three decades on air as Stewart, actor Ray Meagher has only had two love interests.

Alf, played by Ray Meagher, with Marthan, played by Belinda Giblin. Picture: Channel 7

And, today being Valentine’s Day, 74-year-old Meagher wants people to know his romance days are not over.

“It has been a very long time,” Meagher told Confidential. “I am not sure I know how to manage these affairs of the heart or interpersonal relationships, speaking as Alfred Stewart of course.”

Stewart, who is married in real life, is currently at the centre of Home and Away love story between his character and that of Martha Stewart, played by Belinda Giblin. His last romantic storyline was a decade ago when he had a relationship with a character named Bridget, played by Joy Smithers.

Alf and his former great love, Ailsa played by Judy Nunn, in the 2002 finale. Picture: Channel 7

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And of course, Alf and Ailsa were together for many years as one of television's most loved couples from when the soap first launched in 1988.

“We thought she was the late Martha Stewart, tragically killed in a drowning accident, but as it turns out, she was a hell of a lot better swimmer than we thought because she has surfaced 31 years later,” he explained of the storyline.

“I don’t think that Alf should have had a romantic storyline for the sake of it. Even though you can say it is smack bang in the centre of soapsville, that somebody we thought had died before the pilot was shot comes back all these years later.

“I think it is a good story because she has good reasons for not telling us that she faked her own death.

Alf and Martha have plenty to work through. Picture: Channel 7

Martha had reasons for faking her own death. Picture: Channel 7

Meagher is happy to see that for his character, life isn’t over at 70. Picture: Channel 7

“Coming back and reconnecting, there is a pretty good story there because there is anger from both Alf and from Roo (Georgie Parker), who thought her mother was dead.

“The other thing is that because she was alive, even though we didn’t know it, Alf was a bigamist all those years he was married to Ailsa.”

Stewart is only remaining original cast member on the show.

“At 70 life is not all over,” he said. “With a bit of luck there’s still a few runs on the board, so it is nice if they are able to meet somebody else and get on with life.

“That is a tiny bit the sort of thing that has happened with Alf and Martha at the moment.”

Originally published as Strewth! Home and Away’s Alf gets a love interest