Coming up on Home and Away, Irene Roberts leaves Summer Bay after 33 years – but will John find the courage to say goodbye?
Next week, Home and Away will air Lynne McGranger’s final episodes as Irene Roberts. When Irene first arrived in Summer Bay in 1991, the character was played by Jacqy Phillips, but Lynne McGranger took over for Irene’s return in 1993, and has been in the role ever since.
Image: Jeremy Greive
Earlier this year, it was announced that Lynne was leaving the show, and she filmed her final scene on Wednesday 26th March, on the iconic ‘Pier Diner’ set.
Last Sunday saw Lynne take home the Gold Logie at Australia’s prestigious TV Week Logie Awards, as well as the Silver Logie for Best Lead Actress in a Drama. Now, a little over a week later, the character she has played for 32 years is about to say goodbye to Summer Bay for good.
It’s been less than a month since Irene was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, after experiencing a series of concerning memory lapses. John (Shane Withington) encouraged Irene to speak to a doctor after she admitted that she’d found herself in her garden in the middle of the night, in her nightie, with no idea what she was doing there.
She’d also begun to forget appointments and plans with friends, and in her worst moment, nearly left baby Archie in the house after forgetting she was babysitting for Harper (Jessica Redmayne).
A trip to Northern Districts Hospital confirmed a potential diagnosis after Bree (Juliet Godwin) carried out a lumbar puncture, and the diagnosis was confirmed after Irene and John headed to the city for an appointment with a neurologist.
