Ray Meagher sweetly surprises Home and Away’s biggest fan on her 100th birthday

Ray Meagher plays one of Home and Away’s most beloved characters, Alf Stewart, and is the only original cast member remaining on the show. 

And earlier this week, Ray, 76, delighted the soap’s biggest fan when he visited her at her nursing home to help celebrate her 100th birthday. 

Ray visited Daphne Greenfield at her aged care facility in Camden, NSW, ahead of her big day on Saturday and gifted her a bouquet of flowers and a glass of beer.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, Daphne’s party was cancelled and Ray had to meet Daphne just outside of the nursing home, wearing a face mask. 

Ray called Daphne ‘delightful’ when speaking to The Daily Telegraph and added: ‘We didn’t get inside, but whenever necessary I wore a face mask and in order for her to recognise me, when I went up I said: “Stone the flaming crows, 100 Daphne, how good is that.” 

According to the publication, Daphne suffers dementia but watches Home and Away religiously. 

She has not missed an episode since it started in 1988.

Her grandson David Greenfield told the publication: ‘Nan has watched Home and Away since the very first episode and she just loves Alf.’

‘She was over the moon and spent the entire morning thanking everyone over and over for all the fuss.’ 

Daphne told Seven News that even when she suffered a fall, she continued watching Home and Away while recovering. 

‘So I watched it all then… because I loved it so much,’ Daphne said. 

She said her long life is down to enjoying a stubby of beer a day. 

Ray also reflected on the visit and said he’s glad he can put a smile on her face. 

‘Things are tough enough out in the world at the moment and to have little things like this happen to put a smile on everybody’s face, it’s fantastic,’ Ray said. 

Ray has appeared on Home and Away as Alf Stewart since 1988 and is the only original cast member still left on the hit show.