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Home and Away icon Lynne McGranger shares sad truth behind decision to exit soap(Image: Channel 5)

After 30 years in Summer Bay, Lynne McGranger is leaving Home and Away, bringing to an end one of Australian television’s most enduring soap careers. The actress, 71, has played Irene Roberts since 1993, and over three decades, her character has become central to some of the show’s most memorable storylines.

Irene arrived as a troubled character to Summer Bay and was initially written as a villain. Irene was a violent, alcoholic mother whose children Nathan (David Dixon), Damian (Matt Doran), and Finlay (Tina Thomsen) had been removed from her care.

Her early years were on the Aussie soap were surrounded by conflict and chaos as she struggled to control her anger and rebuild the fractured relationships in her life. But Irene’s character gradually evolved and quickly became a pillar of the community in Summer Bay.

After embracing sobriety, Irene devoted herself to fostering children and her compassionate nature made her a mentor and friend to many in Summer Bay.

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Lynne has played Irene Roberts since 1993(Image: Channel 5)

Throughout her time on the show, Irene faced some of Home and Away’s heaviest storylines as she found herself in a relationship with a murderer, battled breast cancer, and experienced a relapse into alcoholism.

Perhaps most challenging was her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, which formed her final storyline and prompted her iconic character to contemplate her future away from the famous Bay.

Now Lynne has shared her reason for leaving the iconic Aussie soap. Reflecting on her decision to leave, Lynne admitted it had been a long time coming.

“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 said.

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The actress has no regrets about stepping away from Summer Bay(Image: Channel 5)

Despite soap fans being left devastated by her decision to leave after thirty incredible years, Lynne has no regrets about stepping away. “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 have been vocal about their sadness at her departure and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the much-love soap star.

Lynne admitted: “Many, many people have come up to say, ‘oh why did you have to leave, it’s not the same’. And I’m like, ‘well it was time for me to move on. No, it’s not the same but it will be different, and it will be better in some respects’.

“Someone else will step into the fray. 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.”

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Irene was an iconic character on the Aussie soap for over 30 years (Image: Channel 5)

One storyline that struck a personal chord for Lynne came in 2011, when Irene was diagnosed with breast cancer. “My best friend, who lives in York, her daughter Nicky had been diagnosed at the same time,” Lynne said. “She fought valiantly for about 10 years but sadly lost her fight when she was about 50.”

Although her exit aired last month, Lynne still remains incredibly connected to the show. She continues to catch up with colleagues and frequently visits the studio for Sunrise.

Professionally, she remains busy, touring Australia with The Grandparent’s Club, followed by appearances in Ireland, Norway, and potentially London.