Veteran Home and Away actor Ray Meagher is said to be resting at home after being rushed to hospital for emergency heart surgery.
The news comes after reports that the Australian soap was “facing the axe” after 31 years on our screens.
Ray, who plays Alf Stewart, reportedly underwent major heart surgery this week.
The actor said he felt “very, very lucky” that cardiologists had picked up three serious blockages during a routine health check a week ago.
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The 75-year-old TV favourite is reported to have had triple heart bypass surgery after a “stress test” revealed the worrying results.
According to the Melbourne Herald Sun, a simple procedure where doctors insert a stent should have been enough to keep Ray’s heart healthy.
However, a source said things were more serious than first thought for the actor.
They said: “The extent of the coronary calcification meant he was scheduled for open heart surgery the next day.”
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Ray and his wife Gilly had been due to head to Queensland for a winter break.
Now, however, he has been forced to stay at home in Sydney so that he can recover from the surgery.
ED! has contacted Ray’s reps for comment.
Ray appeared in the very first episode of Home and Away in 1988 and is the only original cast member still in the show.
His colleague Lynne McGranger recently responded to rumours that the popular show is facing the axe, saying the stories “may be true”.
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