After three decades in Summer Bay, Lynne McGranger has said her final goodbye to Home and Away, closing the chapter on one of Australian television’s most enduring characters. At 71, the actress chose to step away from the soap that defined her career, explaining that the timing simply felt right.

From Troubled Villain to Beloved Mentor

Irene Roberts first appeared in 1993 as a violent, alcoholic mother whose children had been taken from her. Initially portrayed as a troubled villain, Irene’s story arc shifted dramatically. She embraced sobriety, dedicated herself to fostering, and transformed into a community cornerstone—someone fans grew to love and respect.

Over the years, Irene faced some of Summer Bay’s most intense storylines: a relationship with a murderer, a devastating breast cancer diagnosis, relapses into alcoholism, and, most recently, the emotional impact of Alzheimer’s disease. Each twist cemented her as one of the soap’s most iconic figures.

Lynne on Choosing to Leave

Speaking about her decision, Lynne revealed that she had been quietly contemplating her exit for years. “I had probably been thinking about leaving the show for a year or two, just in passing—just thinking maybe the time is drawing nigh to change direction and to do a little bit of theatre,” she explained.

Once she made the choice, she never looked back. “I never had any doubts, no. And I haven’t had any regrets or any doubts since. I just feel like it was the right thing to have done at the right time.”

Fans React to Irene’s Exit

Viewers were devastated to lose such a familiar face from Summer Bay, with many approaching Lynne to share their disappointment. “Many, many people have come up to say, ‘oh why did you have to leave, it’s not the same,’” she admitted.

But Lynne reassured them that change is part of the show’s history. “I remember back in the day when Shane and Angel left, and it was like ‘it will never be the same.’ And when Pippa left, when Sally left—‘it will never be the same.’ No, it won’t but it will be different. It will be as good but in another way.”

Real-Life Resonance

One of Lynne’s most memorable storylines was Irene’s breast cancer battle in 2011. For the actress, the plot struck close to home: “My best friend, who lives in York, her daughter Nicky had been diagnosed at the same time. She fought valiantly for about 10 years but sadly lost her fight when she was about 50.”

Life After Summer Bay

Though her final scenes aired last month, Lynne remains connected to Home and Away, keeping in touch with former castmates and occasionally appearing at the studio.

Far from retiring, she’s now touring with The Grandparent’s Club, a stage production travelling across Australia with future stops planned in Ireland, Norway, and possibly London.

For fans, her exit marks the end of an era. But for Lynne McGranger, it’s the beginning of an exciting new chapter beyond the Bay.