Lynne McGranger odds-on fave to take out Gold

Perth Now

2 days ago

Home and Away legend Lynne McGranger heads into Sunday's TV WEEK Logie awards as the favourite to win Gold. If she takes it home, she won't be the only one celebrating.
'My son-in-law messaged me when the news broke about the Gold Logie,' she recounted this week. 'He said, 'I just got you at $3.50 — I put $100 on you', and then he said, 'That's ridiculous, your odds should be much shorter than that!'
'But then within a week, I was $1.70, so now he is very chuffed.
'If I have to get up and make a speech, I'll make it known publicly that he just made $350 off me!'
Jokes aside, taking home the coveted Gold Logie would be a fitting bookend to the 33 years McGranger spent on Home and Away playing the beloved Irene Roberts.
McGranger, who first joined the soap in 1993, announced she was leaving earlier this year, with her exit storylines — which see her character coming to terms with a devastating Alzheimer's diagnosis — set to play out over the next few weeks.
Fans have been invited to say farewell to a TV legend via a specially created website, www.goodbyeirene.com.au. They can also show their love via a vote at the Logies.
'It's humbling and really overwhelming to even be nominated,' McGranger says of her nod.
'If I had known this was going to happen, I would have left (the show) years ago!
'But in all seriousness, I am loving the ride — I really am.'
McGranger will take her daughter Clancy as her plus-one to Sunday's ceremony in Sydney, where she is up against Sonia Kruger, Hamish Blake, Poh Ling Yeow, Ally Langdon and Lisa Millar for the top award.
All those presenters are well-loved, but there can be no denying Irene holds a special place in many viewers' hearts.
'I am so appreciative of all the support I have been getting,' she says of the messages flooding in via Seven's farewell site.
Rusted-on Home and Away fans aren't the not the only ones rallying around her — an Instagram meme page called 'Home and a Gay' has long been championing McGranger's iconic performance via satirical posts.
She's appreciative of their support, too.
'Have you seen it? It's so funny,' she says.
This week McGranger watched her final scenes at a special screening for cast and crew, admitting it was an emotional moment.
Producers approached Aussie songstress Jessica Mauboy to use her track, While I Got Time to play over Lynne's final scenes, also used in on-air promotions for the show. 'And it's very moving — the song just lifts things to another level,' she says.
The Logies are just the latest engagement in a jam-packed calendar for McGranger, who has been busier than ever since filming her final scenes.
As well as enjoying travel time with friends and partner, Paul, McGranger has also been touring her stage show, The Grandparents Club, across the east coast.
'People come up and say, 'how is retirement going?' And I am like, 'What retirement!'' she jokes.
'I am loving it all and I can't complain, but if you see somebody head-first in their soup at the Logies, that will be me — sleeping!'
The 65th TV Week Logie Awards air Sunday from 7pm on Seven and 7Plus