Rachel "Ray" Defwydd was a female mechanic and motorcycle enthusiast in 1959 Wales.
Biography
Ray was childhood friends with Billy, whom she was in love with. He was a professional mechanic and part-time singer at a Welsh holiday camp, Shangri-La. Her love for him turned out to be unrequited, as he fell in love with the Chimeron Queen, Delta.
She met the Seventh Doctor when he arrived at Shangri-La and helped him in his confrontation with the Gavrok and the Bannermen. She provided him with transport on the Vincent as he sought to warn Delta of Gavrok's arrival. Ray helped get Delta to safety when the Bannermen attacked. (DW: Delta and the Bannermen)
Behind the scenes
Companion
Ray was originally created with the intention that she would replace Mel as a companion. There were rumours that Bonnie Langford was leaving the show. However, filming and airing schedules meant that Mel actually departed in Dragonfire and was replaced by Ace. (BBC DVD: Survival)
An unofficial book published in 2008, Eclectic Gypsy: The Unauthorised Biography of Doctor Who, opens with an original short story, "The One That Got Away", in which a later incarnation of the Doctor (implied to be the Tenth Doctor) encounters a now-elderly Ray in the 21st century, and regrets that he never took Ray on as a companion.
Casting
Three of the actors who auditioned for the part of Ray were Sophie Aldred, Lynn Gardner and Sara Griffiths. Gardner got the part but was injured in a scooter accident. The role went to Griffiths and Gardner was still paid. Aldred went on to play Ace in the following serial. (INFO: Delta and the Bannermen)