ray is a former army soldier, which venn said taught him "discipline and how to handle himself in certain situations." he also said it makes ray "strategic and tactical". venn hoped that ray's army past would catch up with him in a storyline. venn has described him as "a noble fella" and "a man of principles [who] wants to honour his parental duties to the end, no matter what." he also said "ray's a very honourable man, and committed to his children." additionally, when venn auditioned for the part, the character was pitched to him as "a charming family man and someone the ladies admire." ray is described as "a good guy" who enjoys the gym, the pub and watching football matches. he had a hard childhood, but was loved by his mother and grandparents. from his grandmother he gained a love of caribbean food and from his grandfather he took "a special kind of optimism". he got a girl from his estate pregnant before joining the army, which resulted in the birth of his daughter sasha dixon. ray sees sasha as "being the best thing in his life, but he wishes her mother didn't exist." ray works as a pub chef, which he has done in various cities. he has no problems with women but is described as "a love 'em and leave 'em type." "inside soap" called him "cocky".