Lynne McGranger has been playing the much loved Irene Roberts on Home And Away since 1993!
In that time, she’s been a mother to half of the troubled teens who have come to town, but Irene has also faced her fair share of troubling times.
But for the actress who portrays the character, Lynne McGranger, it’s a life far removed from her own. Unlike her alter-ego, the star prefers to keep a low profile.
“I deal with the fame of the show’s notoriety. But it [being a public figure] is a bit weird. Especially with personal stuff – word gets out,” Lynne, 68, explained to TV WEEK of dealing with her fame.
These days, her character’s life has noticeably settled down and she’s become the matriarch-type figure of Summer Bay.
As Lynne McGranger rings in her 68th birthday, we take a look back at the Summer Bay staple’s toughest moments…
Giving birth (1997)
Giving birth (1997)
Irene went through quite an ordeal when she was a surrogate for her daughter Finlay (Tina Thomsen). After going into labour, Irene got stuck in terrible traffic on the way to the hospital! Fortunately, she made it in time but baby Paul was kidnapped by a cult shortly after the birth.
Being stalked (2000)
Being stalked (2000)
Irene’s relationship with Ken (Anthony Phelan) seemed to be going well, until Ken’s ex-wife Eve (Robyn Gibbes) got out of a psychiatric hospital. She poisoned Irene, then later, in a creepy scene, confronted Irene in her house, wielding a cricket bat.
Ken’s death (2000)
Ken’s death (2000)
Irene had a nightmare that her fiancé Ken was calling her. She sprinted through the bush to the edge of a precipice before looking down in horror. Her premonition of his death was tragically correct, as a car fell on Ken just before they were due to be married.
Losing her mind (2005)
Losing her mind (2005)
Irene was terrified when she came home to find ex-foster child Chloe (Kristy Wright), seeing as she had been dead for quite some time. It turns out that even though she was diagnosed with psychosis while in hospital, it was actually her police officer roommate, Corey (Adam Sanders) poisoning her.
Dating a killer (2006)
Dating a killer (2006)
While dating Barry (Ivar Kants), Irene discovered he was a double murderer. “How dare you come into my home, pretending you care!” she raged after he showed up at her house to confess his love for her.
Shooting a policeman (2009)
Shooting a policeman (2009)
When Irene goes on a boat trip with boyfriend Lou (David Roberts) everything goes horribly wrong. Lou goes missing and a terrified Irene starts drinking and ends up accidentally shooting a cop. Angelo (Luke Jacobz) charges Irene over the shooting and despite having nothing to do with it, Irene also became a suspect in Lou’s disappearance.
Diner fire (2010)
Diner fire (2010)
Irene was left devastated after the diner was targeted during the race riots. Her business partner Leah (Ada Nicodemou) struggled in the aftermath, withdrawing herself from society and suffering from agoraphobia.
Breast cancer (2011)
Breast cancer (2011)
After Irene discovered a lump in her breast, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “This is the hardest thing she’s faced,” Lynne told TV WEEK at the time.
Bombing victim (2013)
Bombing victim (2013)
In the cliff-hanger end of 2013, Irene’s life was at stake. She was caught up in the explosion at the hospital after Montgomery (Tasma Walton) planted a bomb in Bianca’s (Lisa Gormley) laptop bag.
Held hostage (2016)
Held hostage (2016)
When Mick (Kristian Schmid) shows up in Summer Bay claiming he is Irene’s long-lost son, he takes her hostage. Irene manages to knock him out and escape with the help of Olivia (Raechelle Banno) and Chris (Johnny Ruffo). But the aftermath is equally as tough when a DNA test proves Mick is actually her biological son and also the man who attacked Billie (Tessa de Joesselin).
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