20 Years of Lynne’s Irene

Today marks 20 years since Lynne McGranger first appeared on Australian screens as fan favourite Irene Roberts.

The character of Irene first appeared in Episode 887 in 1991 played by Jacqy Phillips. At that time Irene was an alcoholic, whose abusive and violent behaviour led to her children Finlay and Damian being fostered by Pippa and Michael (her other son Nathan being in prison).

During another guest appearance in 1992 she fell down the stairs after a binge and accused Finlay and Damian of pushing her. When she then tried to blackmail her children into returning home with her, they sent her packing and told her to sort her life out.

A newly sober Irene returned on 12th January 1993 (Episode 1147), this time played by Lynne McGranger, after her daughter Finlay was involved in a diving accident. She stuck around for 3 months and was able to rebuild a relationship with her children. She finally returned as a regular character in October 1993, buying the beach house where she has remained ever since.

Irene has consistently been a fan favourite and won BTTB’ss first Most Popular Character poll in 2004, remaining in the Top 10 in subsequent polls.

We send Lynne our congratulations, and we hope to see Irene in some prominent storylines as Home and Away moves into its 25th anniversary year.

For more information on Irene and her family, see our character profile.