Home and Away star Lynne McGranger reveals shock details of final storyline as she prepares to leave the soap after 33 years: ‘It will hit home’
Lynne McGranger has opened up about her bittersweet exit from Home and Away.
The actress, 72, is gearing up to leave the long-running soap after an impressive 33 years.
Speaking to TV Tonight, Lynne revealed that when it came to her character Irene Roberts’ final goodbye, she had the final word.
Stopping short of divulging any potential spoilers, Lynne confided that her idea would ‘hit home’ for fans of the series.
‘I had this idea, and they loved it,’ Lynne admitted.
‘They’ve embraced it and that’s what we’ve gone with. I think it’s very important, it’s very relevant and I think it will hit home with a lot of people.’
Lynne McGranger has opened up about her bittersweet exit from Home and Away. Pictured
Lynne, who filmed her final scenes for the iconic soap last month, did spill some details on the ideal way she wanted Irene to make her exit from Summer Bay.
She said that after informing producers and cast of her decision to leave the show, Lynne then put forward her idea for Irene’s dramatic exit.
‘Louise Bowes the chief writer, Lucy Addario [series producer] and Julie McGauran [executive producer], took me out to lunch because I had an idea about an exit storyline,’ she said.
She then revealed her first idea, which despite its obvious dramatic appeal, was shot down by the trio.
‘I knew they wouldn’t want me waving goodbye on the back of a bus. I suggested that I get hit by a bus outside the diner, but they went, “yeah, that’s not gonna happen,”‘ Lynne said.
Thinking on her feet Lynne offered a second, even more jaw-dropping exit strategy, which was also given the kibosh.
‘Or, they think I’m dead and I pop up in my coffin at the funeral,’ Lynne joked. ‘Yeah, that’s not gonna happen,’ she joked.
Lynne has been a Home and Away fan favourite for three decades playing the character of ‘Aussie battler’ Irene Roberts.
The actress, 72, is gearing up to leave the long-running soap after an impressive 33 years
Speaking to TV Tonight, Lynne revealed that when it came to her character Irene Roberts’ final goodbye, she had the final word.
She announced her departure from the show earlier this year.
‘After almost 33 years in my dream role and working everyday 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’ the veteran star said at the time.
‘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’ she continued.
‘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.’
The beloved soap star said she recently told the heartbreaking news to her cast mates on the Home and Away set.
‘It means a lot that my friendship and Irene has been such an important part in the lives of people in and around Summer Bay both on screen and behind the scenes,’ she said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph.
Elsewhere in the chat Lynne, who first appeared as Irene in January 1993, said that she will film her last scenes as the character in March.
However, she told the publication she is keeping mum about how her character will exit Summer Bay, only adding it was a ‘great’ storytelling.
‘I had this idea, and they loved it,’ Lynne admitted. ‘They’ve embraced it and that’s what we’ve gone with. I think it’s very important, it’s very relevant and I think it will hit home with a lot of people.’
‘I knew they wouldn’t want me waving goodbye on the back of a bus. I suggested that I get hit by a bus outside the diner, but they went, “yeah, that’s not gonna happen,”‘ Lynne said. Lynne is pictured with co-star Ada Nicodemou
Commenting on her reasons for leaving the show Lynne said: ‘It’s kind of been in my head for a few years, where I thought, I’ve still got my health, my fitness, and I would like to branch out again and do some more theatre, maybe a bit of radio, a bit of stand up comedy.
‘You either leave voluntarily or leave in a box by the time you’re my age,’ she joked.
‘I’m not going to live forever, particularly if I keep doing 14-hour days.
‘You get a bit tired, you need your sleep, if you have a bad night’s sleep you will pay the price the next day. My body isn’t as resilient as it once was.’
During her time on the show, Lynne worked with future Hollywood superstars Margot Robbie and Chris Hemsworth.
Lynne also shared screen time with other well-known names who got their start on the show as young performers including Samara Weaving, Tammin Sursok, Ryan Kwanten and Isla Fisher.
