After more than three unforgettable decades on Australian television, Home and Away legend Lynne McGranger has finally broken her silence about the real reason she decided

to step away from the beloved soap that made her a household name. For over thirty years, McGranger, now 72, breathed life into Irene Roberts—a character who became the beating heart of Summer Bay

and one of the longest-running roles in Australian TV history. Her warmth, humor, and resilience transformed Irene from a secondary character into a cornerstone of the show,

a surrogate mother to countless wayward teens and a comforting presence for generations of fans.

When news broke earlier this year that Irene’s storyline had come to an end, fans were left heartbroken. In a deeply emotional exit, Irene made the difficult decision to travel the world before her Alzheimer’s condition worsened. The moment was bittersweet—mirroring McGranger’s own farewell to the show that had defined much of her career.

Appearing on The Late Late Show with host Patrick Kielty, Lynne spoke candidly for the first time about her decision to leave Home and Away. Her honesty was both refreshing and poignant, revealing a woman at peace with her choice, but deeply nostalgic for the years gone by.

“To be perfectly honest, Patrick, it had been on my mind for a while,” she admitted softly. “I was absolutely exhausted.”

McGranger described how the grueling filming schedule began to wear her down over the years. With 14-hour shooting days and relentless production demands, she found herself struggling to maintain the same energy she once had. “Everyone keeps saying, ‘You look so healthy now,’” she laughed. “And I just tell them, ‘That’s what leaving Home and Away does for you.’”

Despite the physical and emotional toll, Lynne’s love for the show and her colleagues never wavered. She reminisced about the camaraderie on set—the laughter, the inside jokes, and the strong sense of family that developed among cast and crew.

“It was really emotional to walk away from my friends,” she confessed. “But they’re still there. We still talk all the time. I’m still close with Ada [Nicodemou], Shane [Withington], Emily [Symons], and of course my lovely Alf—Ray [Meagher].”

The actress’s bond with Ray Meagher, who plays Alf Stewart, has long been a fan favorite both on and off screen. Their friendship became one of the emotional pillars of the show, representing decades of shared history and mutual respect.

When asked whether she had any regrets, McGranger shook her head. “Home and Away gave me everything,” she said. “A career, lifelong friendships, and the most loyal fans anyone could ever ask for. But after so many years, I knew it was time to let Irene rest. I wanted to step away while the audience still loved her.”

Lynne also revealed that the decision to write Irene’s Alzheimer’s storyline was made collaboratively. The writers wanted to give her a powerful, emotionally charged exit that reflected the character’s strength and vulnerability. “It felt right,” she said. “I didn’t want Irene to just disappear. She deserved a story that honored her humanity, and that’s exactly what they gave her.”

The episode depicting Irene’s farewell left viewers in tears. As she packed her bags and said goodbye to the Bay, her words carried a profound sense of acceptance. “Life’s too short to sit around waiting for the tide to turn,” Irene said in her final scene—a line that fans now see as Lynne’s own goodbye message to her audience.

Even off-screen, McGranger remains a beloved figure. Despite leaving the show, she finds it impossible to go anywhere unnoticed. “I might be able to blend in for a bit,” she joked. “But as soon as I open my mouth, people say, ‘Oh, I know that voice!’”

For Lynne, the transition away from Home and Away has been both liberating and emotional. She now spends more time with her family, enjoys traveling, and has returned to her theatrical roots—something she had little time for during her busy soap schedule. “It’s strange having my evenings free,” she admitted. “But it’s lovely too. I’ve had time to rediscover who I am outside of Irene.”

Her departure also marks the end of an era for Home and Away. Few actors have stayed with the show for such an extraordinary length of time. Alongside Ray Meagher, Lynne McGranger was part of the show’s living history—someone who had seen the soap evolve across generations, surviving cast changes, new storylines, and shifting television landscapes.

As she looks ahead, Lynne remains open to future opportunities but is firm about one thing—she has no regrets about closing this chapter. “I’ll always be grateful for Summer Bay,” she said with a smile. “It was home for so long. But now, it’s time for new adventures.”

In true McGranger fashion, she left her fans with a message filled with humor and hope: “Don’t worry, Irene hasn’t gone forever. She’s just gone traveling—who knows where she’ll pop up next!”

Her candid interview struck a chord with longtime fans, many of whom flooded social media with tributes and memories of their favorite Irene moments—from her fiery one-liners to her heartfelt advice. One fan wrote, “I grew up with Irene as my TV mum. Thank you, Lynne, for giving her such heart.” Another added, “Home and Away will never be the same without her.”

Lynne’s legacy as Irene Roberts is undeniable. She brought authenticity, depth, and compassion to a role that could have easily become a stereotype. Instead, she turned Irene into one of the most beloved matriarchs in Australian television history.

Though her departure leaves a void in Summer Bay, McGranger’s spirit continues to live on in every episode—a reminder of the warmth and humanity she brought to the small screen. As Home and Away continues into its next chapter, the echoes of Irene’s laughter and wisdom will never truly fade.

For now, Lynne McGranger is exactly where she deserves to be—at peace, proud, and finally taking time for herself after more than 30 years of giving her heart to Summer Bay.