After a 30-year stint in Summer Bay, Lynne McGranger is bidding farewel lto Home and Away, marking the end of one of Australia’s longest-running soap careers. The 71 year old actress has portrayed Irene Roberts since 1993, and over three decades, her character has been at the heart of some of the show’s most unforgettable plots.

Irene first appeared in Summer Bay as a troubled character and was initially penned as a villain. She was depicted as a violent, alcoholic mother whose children Nathan (David Dixon), Damian (Matt Doran), and Finlay (Tina Thomsen) had been taken away from her.

Her early years on the Aussie soap were filled with conflict and turmoil as she grappled with her anger and sought to mend the broken relationships in her life. However, Irene’s character gradually transformed and swiftly became a cornerstone of the Summer Bay community.

After choosing a sober lifestyle, Irene dedicated herself to fostering children, and her kind-hearted nature made her a mentor and friend to many in Summer Bay.

Throughout her tenure on the show, Irene confronted some of Home and Away’s most intense storylines, including being in a relationship with a murderer, battling breast cancer, and suffering a relapse into alcoholism, reports the Mirror.

Perhaps the most challenging was her Alzheimer’s diagnosis, which shaped her final storyline and led her iconic character to ponder her future away from the renowned Bay.

Now Lynne has revealed her motivation for departing the legendary Australian soap.

Looking back on her choice to exit, Lynne confessed it had been brewing for some time.

“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.

Although soap enthusiasts were heartbroken by her choice to depart after three decades of brilliance, Lynne harbours no second thoughts about walking 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.”

Viewers have been outspoken about their disappointment over her exit and the beloved soap actress has taken notice.

Lynne confessed: “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.”

One storyline that particularly resonated with Lynne occurred in 2011, when Irene received a breast cancer diagnosis. “My best friend, who lives in York, her daughter Nicky had been diagnosed at the same time,” Lynne revealed.

“She fought valiantly for about 10 years but sadly lost her fight when she was about 50.”

Despite her departure airing last month, Lynne maintains strong ties to the programme. She regularly keeps in touch with former colleagues and often pops into the studio for Sunrise visits.

On the professional front, she’s keeping herself occupied, currently touring Australia with The Grandparent’s Club, with upcoming shows scheduled for Ireland, Norway, and possibly London.