Lynne McGranger temporarily stepping back from Home And Away for new gig

Lynne McGranger, a popular star of Home and Away, will be temporarily leaving Summer Bay to focus on her new career as a stage comedy, The Grandparents Club.

“I’ll be going for a short while, not leaving anything permanently,” Lynne stated during her appearance on The Morning Show, which was hosted by Kylie Gillies and Larry Emdur.

Lynne uploaded an Instagram image on May 10th, announcing the show’s 10-week tour.

While the 71-year-old has built a legacy on Home and Away as Irene after making her first appearance in 1993 – making her the longest-serving female on the soap – her roots are actually in theatre.

“I came from revue-type situations (shows) — from community theatre, all of that — I’m getting back to my roots, singing and dancing, interacting with the audience,” she said.

“I can hold a tune and I can belt-out a number, but I’m no Aretha Franklin.”

Prior to this, Lynne did appear in the Australian version of Legally Blonde the Musical in 2018.

Lynne showed praise to everyone involved in the stage musical, particularly writer Wendy Harmer who she’s known since the 1980s and describes as “fabulous” and “should be the queen of Australia.”

She continued to describe the Australian musical created to celebrate grandparents in all their beautiful forms.

“It’s review style, its four people – myself included – four us turn up to the club for the day and we have a day in the club,” she said.

“The audience has come to the club called The Grandparents Club — there is a sauna, gym, spa, there’s bingo, there is trivia. In a way, just taking the mickey out of what people perceive grandparents to be,” she said.

“Which is, of course, old and doddery… but in fact, grandparents can be in their 40s these days, bungee jumping or climbing Everest.”