Lynne McGranger bids farewell to Home and Away character Irene Roberts and Summer Bay
The iconic Home and Away character, played since 1993 by Gold Logie winner Lynne McGranger, bid farewell in moving scenes on Channel 7 on Tuesday night.
The moment was amplified by singer Jessica Mauboy, whose song While I Got Time provided the soundtrack to the tear-jerking exit.
Viewers across the country were left reaching for the tissue box, with many taking to social media as a major chapter in Australian TV came to a close.
'I'm a blubbering mess,' said one person of McGranger's final appearance.
'Goodbye Irene.'
'Goosebumps all over watching Irene's farewell,' said another.
A third said, 'I was a flippin' mess through the whole show', and a fourth described it as the 'best ever farewell'.
Another said it was an 'absolutely brilliant farewell for this amazing woman'.
Irene said goodbye in touching scenes following the character's Alzheimer's diagnosis.
Alzheimer's is a common form of dementia that impacts memory, ability to think and behaviour.
Roberts said she was proud of this particular story arc — one which has shone a light on dementia and the more than 400,000 Australians living with it — just as she is with others.
'I would say when Irene had breast cancer, it was very moving,' McGranger said.
'We were mirroring the storyline off one of my best friends who lives in York. Her daughter Nicki was diagnosed with breast cancer at the same time.
'Sadly, she didn't make it.
'But it was very important to honour my friend and her daughter.'
McGranger was initially given a three-month contract in 1993 before being asked to come back for another 12 months.
Ahead of her final appearance on the Channel 7 drama, McGranger told 7NEWS.com.au she did become 'teary' watching her last scenes and knowing the ride was over.
'I love what Irene has been able to represent, the comfort she has been able to bring people,' she said.
'Irene does dumb stuff. She's quick to anger. Yet, she's also quick to forgive.'
McGranger is heading to Tasmania to tour her show The Grandparents Club and said she would love to do some theatre.
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Courier-Mail
8 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
How Irene left Home and Away after decades
Don't miss out on the headlines from TV. Followed categories will be added to My News. After decades as one of the most beloved stars on Australian TV, Home and Away veteran Lynne McGranger bid farewell to Summer Bay and her legendary character Irene Roberts. Over the past 33 years, Irene has become part of the fabric of the fictional seaside community, having taken in multiple foster children and offering a safe haven to those in need. She has been at the centre of many of Home and Away's biggest storylines, including her battle with alcoholism, a breast cancer diagnosis, the shock arrival of a long-lost son, a ferry boat sinking, a bomb explosion, a plane crash, and a stint in prison for a murder she did not commit. Irene has officially left Summer Bay. Picture: Seven It was an emotional episode that saw Irene leave Summer Bay 'with a bang', getting the send off she deserves. It began with a farewell party so everyone had one last chance to say goodbye before she embarked on her new life exploring the world. Party music was playing, love and laughter was in the air, but it wasn't quite perfect. The man who means the most to Irene was nowhere to be seen. Ever since she first announced that she was leaving to travel the world, Irene faced resistance from John Palmer (Shane Withington), who has in recent episodes been concerned about her Alzheimer's progressing, but held too much pride to admit he'll miss her. Irene and John bid farewell to each other during an emotional goodbye. Picture: Seven As Summer Bay's residents made their speeches, John finally makes a welcomed appearance, and the pair share a bittersweet goodbye that sees them both with tears in their eyes. 'I want you to meet me at the Eiffel Tower,' Irene says, revealing that she's bought him a ticket to join her in Paris. 'So you see, it's not goodbye, it's au revoir,' she laughs. 'I will be there,' insists John. 'In hell or high water, I will be there!' Irene has officially left Summer Bay. Picture: Seven As she's driven away from the Bay, Irene takes one last look out the window at the community she called a home for more than three decades and smiles, as a letter she left behind is read out in her voice. 'Most importantly, take care of each other. At the end of the day, that's what matters. Friends and family,' she says. 'No regrets?' Irene is asked, to which she grins and replies with her signature pet name, 'None, love.' 'Life's too short,' she finishes. Lynne McGranger wins 2025 Gold Logie Home and Away star Lynne McGranger has won the 2025 Gold Logie. Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. X Learn More Loaded : 8.72% 0:00 00:00 / 00:00 Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 01:53 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Lynne McGranger wins 2025 Gold Logie more has... more won the 2025 Gold Logie. Home and Away star Lynne McGranger... ... more McGranger, who in 2023 was voted by viewers as the second Greatest Australian TV Character of All Time by TV Week, and picked up the coveted Gold Logie earlier this month, confessed that her decision to quit the soap was 'bittersweet' for her. 'After almost 33 years in my dream role and working every day with people who I love, respect and whom I now consider family, it's bittersweet to be closing the chapter on what has been the best and longest gig of my life.' She continued: 'I am forever grateful to the best production crew in the world and to our genius writers – whose doors are always open – for everything they have done for Irene over the past 33-odd years, and I am so proud of the storyline which will see Irene out of the Bay. Above all, a massive, heartfelt thank you to the fans for your continued love and support.' Originally published as How Irene left Home and Away after decades
News.com.au
10 hours ago
- News.com.au
How Irene left Home and Away after decades
After decades as one of the most beloved stars on Australian TV, Home and Away veteran Lynne McGranger bid farewell to Summer Bay and her legendary character Irene Roberts. Over the past 33 years, Irene has become part of the fabric of the fictional seaside community, having taken in multiple foster children and offering a safe haven to those in need. She has been at the centre of many of Home and Away's biggest storylines, including her battle with alcoholism, a breast cancer diagnosis, the shock arrival of a long-lost son, a ferry boat sinking, a bomb explosion, a plane crash, and a stint in prison for a murder she did not commit. It was an emotional episode that saw Irene leave Summer Bay 'with a bang', getting the send off she deserves. It began with a farewell party so everyone had one last chance to say goodbye before she embarked on her new life exploring the world. Party music was playing, love and laughter was in the air, but it wasn't quite perfect. The man who means the most to Irene was nowhere to be seen. Ever since she first announced that she was leaving to travel the world, Irene faced resistance from John Palmer (Shane Withington), who has in recent episodes been concerned about her Alzheimer's progressing, but held too much pride to admit he'll miss her. As Summer Bay's residents made their speeches, John finally makes a welcomed appearance, and the pair share a bittersweet goodbye that sees them both with tears in their eyes. 'I want you to meet me at the Eiffel Tower,' Irene says, revealing that she's bought him a ticket to join her in Paris. 'So you see, it's not goodbye, it's au revoir,' she laughs. 'I will be there,' insists John. 'In hell or high water, I will be there!' As she's driven away from the Bay, Irene takes one last look out the window at the community she called a home for more than three decades and smiles, as a letter she left behind is read out in her voice. 'Most importantly, take care of each other. At the end of the day, that's what matters. Friends and family,' she says. 'No regrets?' Irene is asked, to which she grins and replies with her signature pet name, 'None, love.' 'Life's too short,' she finishes. McGranger, who in 2023 was voted by viewers as the second Greatest Australian TV Character of All Time by TV Week, and picked up the coveted Gold Logie earlier this month, confessed that her decision to quit the soap was 'bittersweet' for her. 'After almost 33 years in my dream role and working every day with people who I love, respect and whom I now consider family, it's bittersweet to be closing the chapter on what has been the best and longest gig of my life.' She continued: 'I am forever grateful to the best production crew in the world and to our genius writers – whose doors are always open – for everything they have done for Irene over the past 33-odd years, and I am so proud of the storyline which will see Irene out of the Bay. Above all, a massive, heartfelt thank you to the fans for your continued love and support.'
7NEWS
11 hours ago
- 7NEWS
Lynne McGranger bids farewell to Home and Away character Irene Roberts and Summer Bay
Australians have been left 'a blubbering mess' over the emotional departure of Irene Roberts from Summer Bay. The iconic Home and Away character, played since 1993 by Gold Logie winner Lynne McGranger, bid farewell in moving scenes on Channel 7 on Tuesday night. The moment was amplified by singer Jessica Mauboy, whose song While I Got Time provided the soundtrack to the tear-jerking exit. Viewers across the country were left reaching for the tissue box, with many taking to social media as a major chapter in Australian TV came to a close. 'I'm a blubbering mess,' said one person of McGranger's final appearance. 'Goodbye Irene.' 'Goosebumps all over watching Irene's farewell,' said another. A third said, 'I was a flippin' mess through the whole show', and a fourth described it as the 'best ever farewell'. Another said it was an 'absolutely brilliant farewell for this amazing woman'. Irene said goodbye in touching scenes following the character's Alzheimer's diagnosis. Alzheimer's is a common form of dementia that impacts memory, ability to think and behaviour. Roberts said she was proud of this particular story arc — one which has shone a light on dementia and the more than 400,000 Australians living with it — just as she is with others. 'I would say when Irene had breast cancer, it was very moving,' McGranger said. 'We were mirroring the storyline off one of my best friends who lives in York. Her daughter Nicki was diagnosed with breast cancer at the same time. 'Sadly, she didn't make it. 'But it was very important to honour my friend and her daughter.' McGranger was initially given a three-month contract in 1993 before being asked to come back for another 12 months. Ahead of her final appearance on the Channel 7 drama, McGranger told she did become 'teary' watching her last scenes and knowing the ride was over. 'I love what Irene has been able to represent, the comfort she has been able to bring people,' she said. 'Irene does dumb stuff. She's quick to anger. Yet, she's also quick to forgive.' McGranger is heading to Tasmania to tour her show The Grandparents Club and said she would love to do some theatre.
