Home and Away's Ray Meagher to leave the show after 30 years

Home and Away star Ray Meagher is saying goodbye to Home and Away to join the cast of Priscilla Queen of the Desert. Photo / Getty Images

Home and Away star Ray Meagher is packing his bags and saying farewell to Summer Bay after 30 years.

Meagher, 74, will temporarily leave his role as Alf Stewart on the popular Australia soap to join the 10th anniversary stage production of Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

"It's a priviledge to have a job for 30 years and really enjoy it for that time," Meagher told New Idea.

Meagher will take on the role of Bob, the outback mechanic when he joins the stage show.

The 10th anniversary production will see him revisit the role, having previously played Bob in the 2007 production in Sydney, London and New Zealand.

Ray Meagher previously starred as Bob in the 2007 Priscilla production. Photo / Getty Images

"I always think Bob is like Alf on Valium!" Meagher said. "He's more of a laid-back character than Alf."

Raised on a cattle property in outback Queensland, Meagher can relate to Bob.

"I definitely knew a few blokes growing up that were like Bob, he told New Idea.

"For a character like that, you grab lots of people you remember as a young bloke."

Meagher said the show is "fantastic entertainment".

"I never thought it my wildest dreams I'd ever do a big musical like Priscilla, because singing and dancing are not my forte, but I just love it!"