Soap icon Lynne McGranger has left her fans stunned after revealing a bold and surprising new look. The 72-year-old actress, best known for her decades-long role as Irene Roberts on Home and Away, took to Instagram to share a radiant selfie showcasing her freshly dyed platinum blonde locks.
A Heartfelt New Year's Reflection
Alongside the striking image, McGranger posted a warm and reflective message looking ahead to 2026. "Wishing all my lovely friends a wonderful 2026!" she began her caption. She then took a moment to look back on the previous year, describing 2025 as one filled with incredible highs.
"Wow! What a year! So many highlights, so many lovely humans along the way," she wrote. The TV veteran expressed profound gratitude, adding, "So many pinch-me moments, so much joy and love in my life. Forever grateful, never taking a single moment for granted." She concluded her post by wishing her followers peace, joy, wisdom, love, and "just a smidge of excitement and adventure" for the coming year.
Fan Adoration and a Major Career Shift
The response from her followers was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. Her comment section was quickly flooded with compliments praising her dramatic new style. One admirer wrote, "Love the hair - wow - you look stunning (as always)," while another simply stated, "You look gorgeous."
This new look comes after a landmark year for McGranger. In March 2025, she announced her decision to leave Home and Away, the show she had been a part of since 1993. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph at the time, she explained her reasons for moving on.
"It's kind of been in my head for a few years, where I thought, 'I've still got my health, my fitness', and I would like to branch out again and do some more theatre, maybe a bit of radio, a bit of stand-up comedy'," she revealed. With her characteristic humour, she joked about her age, saying, "You either leave voluntarily or leave in a box by the time you're my age."
She also cited the physical demands of the soap's schedule, noting, "I'm not going to live forever, particularly if I keep doing 14-hour days. You get a bit tired, you need your sleep... My body isn't as resilient as it once was."
A Celebrated Career and Famous Co-Stars
McGranger's final year on the soap was capped with one of Australian television's highest honours. In 2025, she won the coveted Gold Logie Award for Most Popular Personality, a fitting tribute to her enduring popularity.
During her extensive tenure on Summer Bay, McGranger worked alongside a host of actors who would later find global fame. Her time on set saw her share scenes with future Hollywood A-listers including Margot Robbie and Chris Hemsworth.
She also performed with other notable names who launched their careers on the show, such as:
- Samara Weaving
- Tammin Sursok
- Ryan Kwanten
- Isla Fisher
As she steps into 2026 with a vibrant new image and a world of possibilities ahead, Lynne McGranger continues to be celebrated not just for her iconic role, but for her grace, humour, and enduring connection with her audience.
