Australia is preparing to say goodbye to one of the most beloved figures in Home and Away history: Irene Roberts. For more than three decades, the character has been a comforting constant in Summer Bay, and the woman behind her, Lynne McGranger, admits this moment has been both bittersweet and monumental.

McGranger joined the Home and Away cast in 1993, becoming not only one of the longest-running fixtures on the show, but the longest-serving female actor in any Australian TV series. Viewers watched Irene evolve from a fiery, complex presence to one of the most compassionate matriarchs in modern Australian drama.

McGranger announced earlier this year that she would be stepping away from the role, and Irene’s final storyline has centered on one of the most confronting and devastating conditions of our time: Alzheimer’s disease.

“This is the first time this condition has been explored at length in an Australian drama,” McGranger explained.
“It’s out in the open, discussed honestly and respectfully. So many people have it, and it needs to be told.”

McGranger revealed that she was deeply involved in shaping Irene’s diagnosis storyline and that she is fiercely proud of the realism, dignity, and emotional depth the show brought to the subject.

A Farewell Written With Love — and a Musical Secret

With Irene’s final episodes scheduled to air this week, anticipation has reached fever pitch. Fans are already struggling with the thought of a Summer Bay without Irene, and McGranger herself admits she’s not sure how it will feel to wake up each day without the adrenaline of scripts and long filming days.

But she isn’t ready to spoil everything.

In a moment that has now gone viral among fan pages, McGranger offered a teasingly cryptic message:

“Well, wait until you see… just wait.”

She hinted that viewers should brace for a powerful emotional crescendo, one that has been elevated by Australian singer Jessica Mauboy, whose voice accompanies Irene’s final moments.

“If sticky date pudding is already delicious, pouring butterscotch sauce on top takes it to another level,” McGranger said.
“That’s exactly what Jessica’s song does for Irene’s last scene.”

The comment suggests Irene’s exit won’t simply be sad — it will be cinematic, textured, and deeply resonant.

Australians Prepare to Say Goodbye

After 33 years, Irene isn’t just a fictional character. She is part of the cultural fabric of Australian television. From emotional rescues to personal heartbreak, from raising troubled teens to running the Diner with quiet strength, Irene’s storylines have connected generations of viewers.

For McGranger’s own family, the change will be equally dramatic:

“My daughter is 34, and I’ve been on the show for nearly 33 years,” she said.
“So she doesn’t remember anything else.”

Indeed, McGranger’s life, her craft, and the rhythms of her daily existence have been intertwined with Summer Bay for longer than many marriages, careers, and friendships.

A Personal Goodbye From Fans

Producers are inviting Australians to send farewell messages, memories, and tributes to Irene as her final episodes air — a gesture that acknowledges her cultural impact and McGranger’s historic contribution to the series. Viewers who haven’t tuned in for years are being encouraged to return for this emotional home stretch.

“People might jump on board now and ride the wave home with her,” McGranger said.

What Comes Next for McGranger?

After decades of memorizing scripts, delivering emotional beats, and carrying the weight of one of TV’s most enduring characters, McGranger is ready to breathe again.

“I’m excited to have a rest,” she laughed.
“I’m excited not to learn lines every night or work those 14-hour days.”

Still, she admits she’ll miss the camaraderie — the banter on set, the friendships, the rituals. The bonds she formed in Summer Bay are lifelong.

“I will miss my great friends on the show. I have made many over the years.”

As for her future, McGranger is not ruling out new creative projects, theatre appearances, or even returning as Irene down the track — soap exits are never truly final.

And her final onscreen message is simple: pay attention, stay with Irene, and prepare yourselves.

Because if McGranger’s tone is anything to go by… the farewell isn’t just poignant.
It’s unforgettable.