Home and Away icon Lynne McGranger has announced her departure from the long-running Australian soap after an impressive 33-year tenure. McGranger, who originally joined the series in 1993 as Irene Roberts, taking over the role from Jacqy Phillips, has shared her personal reasons for stepping away from the fictional setting of Summer Bay. “I want to enjoy life. I want to remain fit for as long as I possibly can,” she revealed, expressing a profound desire to cultivate more regular friendships and reconnect with people she may have lost touch with over the years. She also looks forward to the prospect of becoming a grandmother in the future, while always maintaining a strong relationship with her daughter and son-in-law. Prioritizing personal connections over professional commitments, McGranger aims to spend more quality time with those important in her life. She humorously acknowledged the lasting impact of her iconic role, adding, “And yes, I’d like to be known as Lynne, which might happen in some quarters, but I think until the day I die I’ll probably still be called Irene!”
The storyline for Irene’s exit has been revealed to be a heart-wrenching one, focusing on the beloved character experiencing worrying health issues. After suffering from periods of confusion and memory loss, Irene sought medical help from Dr. Bree Cameron, undergoing tests amidst her fears about what the future results might hold. McGranger elaborated on Irene’s emotional journey, stating, “She realises that things aren’t right. This is the turning point for her. She tries to get out of babysitting from then on because she’s terrified.” Dr. Cameron, while not yet ready to offer a definitive diagnosis, strongly recommends further comprehensive testing to understand the full scope of Irene’s condition.
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