Chris Hemsworth, Dannii Minogue, Kate Ritchie, Bec Hewitt and more pay tribute to Gold Logie-winner Ray Meagher, in the newest episode of This Is Your Life, premiering 7:30 pm Tuesday, 11 October on Channel Seven and 7plus.
Host Melissa Doyle will surprise Ray with the iconic big red book on the set of Home and Away, before a night of laughs, tears, surprises and insights into a man who has touched the lives of many across the years.
Kate Ritchie describes how over her 20 years growing up on Home and Away, Ray became a true friend and helped shape her into the woman she is today.
Ray is reunited with Home and Away’s original Fletcher family – Roger Oakley, Vanessa Downing, Sharyn Hodgson and Alex Papps – while stage and screen alumni Belinda Giblin, Paula Duncan and John Waters reveal stories about their friend and colleague.
The nostalgia continues as This Is Your Life delves into Ray’s career in film and theatre, revealing how he got his first big break playing the rear end of a horse. Ray’s secret sporting past is also explored, with appearances from rugby league legends Nick-Farr Jones and John Eales.
Ray will also speak candidly about growing up as an orphan before meeting his beloved surrogate mother Pat who helped raise him.
Also speaking publicly for the first time are Ray’s wife Gilly and stepdaughter Rebecca, who share their stories about life with Ray away from the spotlight.
Mediaweek spoke to host Melissa Doyle when the show premiered in July. Doyle said she grew up watching the show, saying it’s a really precious program with a special place in her heart.
“I love nothing more than telling someone’s story, it feels like such a privilege,” she said. “To be able to hand over the Big Red Book, that was quite an iconic moment – I’ve got to say, I was very humbled when I was handed the responsibility of holding on to that and giving it to our talent.”
Ray Meagher, This Is Your Life premieres at 7:30 pm Tuesday, 11 October on Channel Seven and 7plus.