Home and Away fans heartbroken by Channel 7's 'emotional' Lynne McGranger tribute
In the clip, we see hints at what's to come on the show, with Irene telling John (Shane Withington), "I'm so scared," as clips of her time on the show play, showing some of the much-loved stars that have graced the show, including, the late Johnny Ruffo. She also tells Leah (Ada Nicodemou) through tears, "If I say it, that will make it real."
"Time is just slipping through my fingers," she tells Leah in another scene.
"I won't lose you from my life, one second before I have to," John also tells a tearful Irene.
The voiceover says, "Say goodbye to a legend... Don't miss a moment of Home and Away."
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The show has been hinting that Irene's exit will be related to memory loss, with Channel 7 confirming in a statement, "In recent weeks, Irene has experienced a series of alarming memory lapses, including a concerning incident where she forgot she was babysitting Archie and nearly left him home alone.
"Next week, Irene takes her first step toward confronting the truth. With the support of her dear friend John Palmer (Shane Withington), she bravely meets with Dr Bree Cameron (Juliet Godwin) for a medical consultation. It's there that Irene is faced with a gut-wrenching reality. There's no coming back from this one.
"As word spreads, the Bay will rally to support one of its most beloved residents through her biggest challenge yet, building towards an episode that will go down in Australian television history."
Lynne has been on the show since her on-screen debut in 1993, when Irene, a recovering alcoholic, returned to Summer Bay after turning her life around and hoping to reconnect with her daughter, Fin (Tina Thomsen). Since then, she has become one of the most popular characters on the soap and has been at the centre of some of the show's biggest storylines.
Heartbroken Home and Away fans have taken to Instagram to share their love of Lynne, with one fan writing, "Gosh... this has me in tears already... beautiful tribute! You are going to be so missed on the show!"
"These scenes look heartbreaking I'm not sure we're ready to farewell Irene!" another said.
"There's not a part of me ready to say goodbye, this promo made me so emotional and then seeing Noah [Beau Brady] in it broke me more and then seeing Johnny had me in tears," a third wrote.
"Lynne!! This is such a beautiful tribute," someone else added. "Thank you for being a fabulous Irene that you are! I am so sad to see you go, but excited for your new journey!"
"Not ready for this farewell at all," another wrote.
"It's going to be so strange watching Home and Away without Irene," one person said. "It'll be so different."
"Nooooo!!!! I'm not ready to say goodbye to Irene," an upset viewer wrote. "Thank you for everything, and good luck for the future. H&A won't be the same without you."
"Tissue boxes ready," someone else said.
"I wish it was a cheery goodbye," another added.
Lynne, who is the longest-serving female actor on an Australian drama series, said in a statement earlier this year: "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.
"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, 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."
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Lynne revealed that after performing in the stage show, Cruising with the Grandparents Club, she realised she wanted to spend more time doing theatre while she's still able to.
"I've decided it's time to hang up the apron," she said on The Morning Show in February. "It's been coming on for a while, and when I toured the Grandparents Club last year, I thought to myself, I love theatre, I want the chance to still be able to do it, while I've still got my marbles."
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