Iconic Home and Away actress Lynne McGranger spills on her next chapter

Lynne McGranger has bid farewell to Summer Bay after playing the incomparable Irene Roberts for more than 30 years.

But now, she is excited to go back to where it all started – the theatre!

Talking to Woman’s Day, Lynne, 72, tells us why the stage has always been her first true love, and why her recent role in stage play Cruising with the Grandparents Club made her want to quit TV!

How does it feel being back on the stage again?

It has been in the back of my mind for so long, so to get back to where I started – in theatre – has been amazing.

Doing Grandparents Club last year really solidified my decision to leave Home And Away as well. I will miss it so much though.

Now that you’re free from the intense soap filming schedule, what else do you have planned?

I am very excited to do more theatre and just be able to do more in general.

Isn’t The Voice looking for a new mentor? And I can kind of see myself on the news desk…

All jokes aside, this does open up a lot more opportunities for me. I’d love to maybe do some comedy and just be adventurous!

Are you a fan of cruising?

To be honest, I’ve only ever gone cruising once and that was a long time ago on a Russian cruise ship around the South Pacific.

We hit a cyclone and I dropped about two dress sizes in two weeks! Having said that, I’m keen to give it another crack!

We do love to travel, though, especially to the UK to see our friends and family.

I’m hoping to be able to do more panto now that I have more time – I haven’t been able to do it for a few years but now, look out!

Do you have a bucket list of places you want to travel to? Where is top of your list?

My travel bucket list is very long but the top of it would definitely include Japan, Scandinavia, Italy (again!) and Ireland (again!).

Is it ever possible for you to go out in public without someone recognising you?

Ha! Not really. However, I do love it when people come to say hello.

Your daughter Clancy got married in 2023, are you hoping to be a grandparent yourself one day?

Hopefully one day soon! While we’re still able to chase a toddler around!

Lynne McGranger is turning the page on a remarkable chapter of her life as she says goodbye to Home and Away and her beloved role as Irene Roberts—a character she’s portrayed for over 30 years. But while fans may feel bittersweet about her departure, Lynne is embracing this transition with excitement and a renewed sense of passion.

At 72, Lynne is stepping back into her theatrical roots, returning to the stage with enthusiasm and joy. Speaking to Woman’s Day, she revealed that her time performing in Cruising with the Grandparents Club reignited her love for theatre and played a major role in her decision to leave Summer Bay behind.

“It has been in the back of my mind for so long,” she said. “So to get back to where I started – in theatre – has been amazing.” That production, she shared, reminded her how much she thrives in the live performance space, and though she’ll dearly miss Home and Away, she’s looking forward to what’s next.

With her schedule freed from the demanding pace of soap filming, Lynne is keen to explore all kinds of new ventures. “I’d love to maybe do some comedy and just be adventurous,” she laughed, even joking about potential gigs on The Voice or as a news anchor.

Travel is also high on Lynne’s list. She and her husband Paul love to visit friends and family in the UK, and now she’s eyeing destinations like Japan, Scandinavia, Italy, and Ireland for future adventures. And yes—she’s even open to giving cruising another try, despite a chaotic experience years ago involving a Russian ship and a South Pacific cyclone. “I dropped about two dress sizes in two weeks!” she recalled with a laugh.

As for life in the public eye, Lynne admits she’s rarely anonymous when out and about. Still, she treasures the connection with fans who’ve watched her for decades. “I do love it when people come to say hello,” she shared warmly.

And on the home front, Lynne’s life is just as full. Her daughter Clancy tied the knot in 2023, and now Lynne has her sights set on becoming a grandmother. “Hopefully one day soon,” she says, “while we’re still able to chase a toddler around!”

With her vibrant energy, sense of humor, and love for adventure, Lynne McGranger is proving that the next act in her story may be just as iconic as the one she’s leaving behind.

Lynne McGranger has bid farewell to Summer Bay after playing the incomparable Irene Roberts for more than 30 years. But now, she is excited to go back to where it all started – the theatre! Talking to Woman’s Day, Lynne, 72, tells us why the stage has always been her first true love, and why her recent role…