Soap icon Lynne McGranger has left her legion of fans astonished after unveiling a dramatic new hairstyle. The 72-year-old actress, beloved 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 message to fans
Alongside the striking image, McGranger penned a warm and reflective caption looking ahead to 2026. She expressed profound gratitude for the year 2025, which she described as filled with "pinch-me moments," joy, and love. "Wow! What a year! So many highlights, so many lovely humans along the way," she wrote.
The veteran star extended her well-wishes to followers, hoping the new year would bring them "peace and joy and wisdom and love and just a smidge of excitement and adventure." Her post was swiftly met with an outpouring of admiration from fans, who flooded the comments with compliments on her bold new look.
Embracing a new chapter post-Summer Bay
This stylish transformation follows McGranger's significant career announcement in March 2025, when she confirmed her departure from Home and Away. Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, she revealed the decision had been on her mind for several years.
"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," McGranger explained. She humorously noted, "You either leave voluntarily or leave in a box by the time you're my age," citing the physical demands of the show's 14-hour days.
A celebrated career and famous co-stars
McGranger's tenure on the Channel 5 soap was marked by immense popularity, culminating in her winning the coveted Gold Logie for Most Popular Personality in 2025. Her career on the show also saw her share the screen with a host of actors who later found global fame.
During her time in Summer Bay, she worked alongside future Hollywood superstars including Margot Robbie and Chris Hemsworth. She also performed with other notable alumni such as Samara Weaving, Tammin Sursok, Ryan Kwanten, and Isla Fisher when they were young performers starting their careers on the series.
As she steps into this new phase, Lynne McGranger's bold hair change symbolises a fresh start, while her heartfelt message underscores a deep appreciation for the journey so far.
