For many actors, landing a role on Home and Away is a dream come true. For Lincoln Lewis, it was also one of the most intimidating moments of his young life —

and one that left an indelible mark on his career. Lewis, who portrayed Geoff Campbell on the iconic Australian soap from 2007 to 2010, recently opened up about

a terrifying on-set experience that viewers never saw — a quiet, deeply personal moment that shaped him not just as an actor, but as a professional.

Now 36 and long since moved on to a diverse career in acting and presenting, Lewis reflected on his Summer Bay days in a candid interview, revisiting the nerves, the pressure, and the unexpected kindness that helped steady him during one of the most pivotal moments of his life.

A Sixteen-Year-Old Under Pressure

When Lewis first auditioned for Home and Away, he was just 16 years old — stepping into the high-stakes world of Australian television for the first time. The callback audition, often the most nerve-wracking stage of the casting process, would prove unforgettable.

“I remember my first ever callback with Ray,” Lewis recalled, referring to legendary co-star Ray Meagher, who has portrayed Alf Stewart since the show’s 1988 debut.

For a teenager entering a professional environment dominated by seasoned performers, the pressure was immense. Lewis wasn’t just auditioning for a role — he was auditioning in front of one of the most recognizable figures in Australian television history.

He was terrified.

“I was clearly nervous,” Lewis admitted. “It was my first ever big callback.”

Standing opposite Meagher, whose character Alf Stewart is practically synonymous with Home and Away, Lewis felt the weight of expectation. The cameras weren’t rolling for broadcast yet — but for Lewis, it felt like the performance of a lifetime.

“Take Five, Love.”

What happened next, however, was something viewers would never witness on screen.

Sensing the young actor’s anxiety, Meagher calmly turned to the casting director and said, “Take five, love.”

In that simple gesture, the audition room transformed.

Instead of powering through the scene, Meagher pulled Lewis aside and gave him what amounted to a private five-minute acting masterclass.

Here was a man with decades of experience, an industry veteran with nothing to prove — choosing to pause the process to mentor a nervous teenager.

Lewis has described the moment as both humbling and life-changing.

“He could tell I was really nervous,” Lewis said. “He just wanted to help me improve.”

In an industry often defined by competition and high stakes, that act of generosity cut through the fear. For Lewis, the terror of possibly blowing his opportunity was replaced by something else: support.

“It’s a lesson I’ll never forget,” he reflected.

The Legacy of Alf Stewart

To understand the weight of that moment, one must appreciate Meagher’s stature within Home and Away. As Alf Stewart, Meagher has become one of the longest-serving actors in Australian television history. His character is the moral compass of Summer Bay — gruff but big-hearted, quick to anger but quicker to defend those he loves.

Behind the scenes, it appears, Meagher carries much of that same protective instinct.

Earlier this month, the beloved actor celebrated his 81st birthday. Tributes poured in from current and former cast members, each echoing a similar sentiment: Meagher isn’t just a co-star — he’s a mentor, a friend, and the heartbeat of the show.

For Lewis, that mentorship began before he even secured the role.

It was a defining moment that helped shape his confidence as Geoff Campbell — a character who would go on to feature in major storylines, including faith struggles, family drama, and romantic entanglements that kept viewers invested for years.

A Terrifying Moment That Became a Turning Point

While Lewis described the audition as terrifying, it wasn’t because of anything dramatic or dangerous. There were no stunts gone wrong or technical disasters. The fear came from within — from the overwhelming pressure to succeed.

That kind of terror can be paralyzing, especially for a young performer stepping into a long-running series with a fiercely loyal fanbase.

But instead of allowing the nerves to derail him, the experience became a turning point.

Lewis has often credited his time on Home and Away as the foundation of his career. After leaving the show in 2010, he transitioned into film roles, television hosting, and other creative pursuits. Yet the lessons from that audition room remain vivid.

It wasn’t just about acting technique. It was about professionalism, humility, and lifting others up.

A Culture of Camaraderie

Lewis’s story also highlights something fans don’t always see: the camaraderie behind the scenes at Summer Bay.

While soap operas are known for their intense production schedules, Home and Away has long maintained a reputation for fostering young talent. Many of Australia’s biggest stars got their start on its sandy shores.

Veteran actors like Meagher have played a quiet but crucial role in that legacy — guiding newcomers through the steep learning curve of daily drama production.

Lewis’s anecdote reveals the human side of an industry often viewed as glamorous from afar. It’s a reminder that even seasoned professionals once stood where he stood — nervous, uncertain, hoping for a break.

A Low-Key Legend

Despite his legendary status, Meagher has consistently shied away from grand celebrations. Ahead of his 80th birthday last year, he revealed he preferred to mark milestones quietly rather than with extravagant parties.

“I’ve always shied away from celebrations a bit,” he shared in a previous interview.

In a lighthearted nod to co-star Lynne McGranger, who plays Irene Roberts, Meagher joked about her month-long birthday festivities compared to his own understated approach.

“I am perfectly happy to slink under the radar and go along quietly,” he said, adding that he still enjoys “a few beers with a few friends.”

That humility mirrors the kindness Lewis experienced firsthand all those years ago.

The Moment That Never Aired — But Never Faded

For fans, the magic of Home and Away exists in dramatic cliffhangers, emotional confrontations, and sweeping beachside romances.

But for Lincoln Lewis, one of the most powerful moments of his career happened off-camera.

No script. No audience. No applause.

Just a nervous teenager and a seasoned actor who chose compassion over pressure.

That brief pause — that “Take five, love” — didn’t make it into an episode. Yet it remains one of the most defining scenes of Lewis’s life.

And in an industry where unforgettable moments are usually measured in ratings and story arcs, sometimes the most meaningful ones are the quietest.

For Lincoln Lewis, that terrifying audition became a story of mentorship, resilience, and the kind of generosity that keeps the spirit of Summer Bay alive — long after the cameras stop rolling.