Summer Bay stalwart Ray Meagher will be taking a six month break from the show in order to star in London's West End production of Priscilla: Queen of the Desert.

Gold Logie nominee Ray, who's played Alf Stewart on the show for over 22 years, will be taking on the role of Bob, having previously had a short stint in the role in 2007.

"I did two weeks in that role (as Bob) in Sydney when Michael Caton wanted to have a rest, and that is when the producers said, 'Do you want to do this in London?'" Ray told the Herald Sun.

"They (Home and Away) have very generously allowed me to do Priscilla in the West End from September 20 roughly until early March (next year). I think the funniest thing for me is a bloke from the bush, who cannot sing or dance, has been asked to do a musical in the West End. That appeals to my perverse sense of humour."

Our source tells us that the reason for Alf's break is currently not decided, with the storyline not being written for a couple of months yet. Viewers can expect it to air around early 2011.