### Embargoed until 00.01am Thursday 10 July 2025; ONE TIME USE ONLY; MUST CREDIT PHOTOGRAPHER Will Horner for Australian Women’s Weekly; • Australian Women’s Weekly is to be referenced in the first two pars of copy, along with a follow link to in any online story - www.womensweekly.com.au ### Lynne McGranger
Lynne McGranger, a beloved star of the long-running Australian soap opera *Home and Away*, has announced her decision to leave the show after an impressive 33 years. Her final appearance as the character Irene Roberts is set to air in mid-August 2024. McGranger revealed that she made this choice late last year, expressing a desire to focus on her passion for theatre and to embrace a more fulfilling personal life.
In an interview with Australian Women’s Weekly, McGranger shared her motivations for stepping away from the iconic role. “I want to enjoy life, I want to remain fit for as long as I possibly can,” she stated. She also expressed a longing to reconnect with friends and family, emphasizing the importance of nurturing relationships that may have been neglected over the years. “I look forward to being a nanna down the track. And if that’s not to be, still maintaining a great relationship with my daughter and my son-in-law,” she added.
McGranger’s journey with *Home and Away* began as a temporary role, initially intended to last for only three months. Reflecting on her unexpected long-term commitment, she humorously recalled telling her partner, Paul, that he might need to stop working if her character became a full-time position. “And that it did,” she remarked, highlighting the impact that her role has had on both her life and career.
Breaking Traditional Norms in Parenting
In addition to her successful acting career, McGranger has also been open about her family dynamics. She discussed how her partner, Paul, took on a more active role in parenting their daughter, Clancy McWaters, while she worked. “He would do the reading. Take her to ballet, to netball. He loved it,” she said. “I don’t know how parents cope with young children when they’re both working.” This arrangement allowed her to focus on her career while Paul managed the day-to-day parenting tasks.
Clancy McWaters added her perspective on growing up in a non-traditional family structure. “Mum and Dad – they’re not married – were quite different to other families,” she noted during a photoshoot celebrating her mother’s departure from the show. “Mum was the main breadwinner, and it’s been cool because I’ve been raised with the belief that it doesn’t have to be that way, where the woman stays at home, and men go to work. I’ve got two awesome role models.”
As McGranger prepares to close this significant chapter of her life, she reflects on the incredible journey she has had with *Home and Away*. Her contributions to the series have made her a household name in Australia and beyond, and her decision to transition to theatre marks a new and exciting phase.
For fans, her departure signifies the end of an era, but McGranger’s legacy as Irene Roberts will undoubtedly endure. With her focus now shifting to personal fulfillment and creative pursuits, she leaves behind a remarkable history in television and a strong message about the importance of prioritizing one’s passions and relationships.
