Home and Away legend Lynne McGranger makes heartbreaking announcement on her future: 'It's bittersweet to be closing the chapter'

 She's been a Home and Away fan favourite for three decades playing the character of 'Aussie battler' Irene Roberts.

And now 72-year-old Lynne McGranger has announced she is leaving Seven's long-running serial. 

'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 in a statement on Sunday.

'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.

The veteran actress said that following her exit from Home and Away fans will get to see her on stage in the show The Grandparents Club. The musical comedy is set to tour Australia from July until October....

She's been a Home and Away fan favourite for three decades playing the character of 'Aussie battler' Irene Roberts.

And now 72-year-old Lynne McGranger has announced she is leaving Seven's long-running serial. 

'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 in a statement on Sunday.

'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...

She's been a Home and Away fan favourite for three decades playing the character of 'Aussie battler' Irene Roberts. And now 72-year-old Lynne McGranger (pictured) has announced she is leaving Seven's long-running serial....

'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 on Sunday.

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.

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 annd Isla Fisher. 

The soap star said telling her cast mates about her upcoming exit was 'very emotional'. Pictured: Lynne with future Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth in a scene from Home and Away. The Thor actor appeared on the soap between 2004 and 2007..

The 72-year-old actress who has played the character of Irene Roberts since 1993 will film her last scenes for the soap in March. Pictured: Lynne in a scene from Home and Away...

The veteran actress said that following her exit from Home and Away fans will get to see her in the stage show The Grandparents Club.

The musical comedy will be touring Australia between July and October.

After that, Lynne told the DT that she was planning a getaway to Japan. 

It comes after Lynne teased she was leaving Home and Away last year.

In a candid interview with Stellar magazine last May, the actress opened up about her hopes for the future.

'It's something I've mulled over, and it has been in the back of my mind for the last year or two,' she said.

Lynne took over the role of Irene from actress Jacquy Phillips and went on to play the part for an impressive 33 years.

The veteran actress is one of the longest-serving stars on the Australian soap.

In 2021, Lynne published a memoir Acting Up: Me, Myself And Irene in which she revealed her struggles with drugs and an eating disorder.

She's been a Home and Away fan favourite for three decades playing the character of 'Aussie battler' Irene Roberts. And now 72-year-old Lynne McGranger (pictured) has announced she is leaving Seven's long-running serial...