“Goodbye Summer Bay” – Lynne McGranger Joins Hope Breakfast

After more than three decades gracing Australian television screens as the feisty and beloved Irene Roberts, Lynne McGranger has officially wrapped up her time on Home and Away.

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The veteran actress joined Hope Brekky’s Brendan and Danniebelle and reflected on her extraordinary journey, her final days on set, and what lies ahead for her after Summer Bay.

A bittersweet goodbye

“I just knew,” Lynne shared about the decision to leave the iconic soap.

“I thought to myself, ‘when I know, I’ll know’.

“And last year when we toured The Grandparents Club, which was just like going back to my theatrical roots, I kind of knew.

“I thought, ‘now is the time.’”

Lynne’s last day of filming came with an unexpected twist—Lynne was unknowingly battling influenza A while wrapping up scenes.

But her last day of filming came with an unexpected twist—Lynne was unknowingly battling influenza A while wrapping up scenes.

“I kissed everybody goodbye,” she said with a laugh, only to find herself very unwell the next day.

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“People who watch the show will probably realize when that last episode comes to air—they’ll go, ‘what is going on with her voice?’” she joked.

Despite the illness, the emotional weight of her departure was palpable.

Her final filmed scene—ironically not her actual last scene due to production reshoots—was shared with longtime co-star Ada Nicodemou (Leah).

“Ada was just a blubbering mess for weeks,” Lynne joked.

“All I’m doing is making Leah have a coffee!”

When asked if there were any storylines she wished Irene could’ve had, McGranger was quick to respond: “The alien abduction storyline!” she laughed.

“I must’ve walked up those stairs to the writers’ office a hundred times begging for it.”

While that request went unanswered, she proudly revealed that Irene’s exit storyline was her own idea—though she remained tight-lipped on the details.

“People have begged me… I can’t say anything. But I had to do post-production on it and got a bit weepy watching it.”

Despite Brendan and Danniebelle’s attempts to get exclusives off air, Lynne remained faithful to her promise not to share any of her finale details.

Lynne proudly revealed that Irene’s exit storyline was her own idea—though she remained tight-lipped on the details.

Grandparents Club 2: a return to theatre

With Home and Away behind her, there’s no slowing down in sight as Lynne is now focused on the stage.

She stars in The Grandparents Club 2, a sequel to last year’s touring theatre hit.

Set on a cruise ship this time around, the production combines music, dancing, and comedy while exploring themes of modern grandparenting, family dynamics, and aging with grace and gusto.

“There’s choreography, singing, dancing—mayhem!” Lynne exclaimed.

“It’s family-friendly, full of heart, and deals with real issues, but in a really fun way.”

Despite a packed schedule, Lynne is learning to embrace mindfulness and gratitude.

Looking to the future, Lynne will star in The Grandparents Club 2, a sequel to last year’s touring theatre hit.

“I’ve taken up just a bit of mindfulness—just breathing, being in the moment, having a chat with God,” she said.

But she admits slowing down is hard: “That gear kicks in and I’m up again.”

Lynne’s energy and zest for life is certainly not diminishing.

“I always had an overactive Thyroid and recently had it removed. My energy hasn’t changed, so I guess I can’t blame that now.”

Brendan and Danniebelle proposed the idea of a ‘potential tell-all book’.

And with a laugh, Lynne joked about her future book idea titled Body Parts I’m Missing, listing off her gallbladder, thyroid, tonsils, and more.

“Still got my appendix, though!” she proudly declared.

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

A legacy that will endure

Lynne McGranger’s farewell to Home and Away marks the end of an era, not just for the actress but for millions of fans across Australia and beyond.

With wit, humility, and an undying passion for performance, she’s entering this next chapter just as vibrantly as she’s lived the last 33 years on screen.

Her message to fans: “Even if you haven’t watched for a while, tune in to see how Irene says goodbye. It’ll be worth it.”

Listen to the full conversation in the player above.

Featured image: Photo used with permission

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