IT'S NOT GOODBYE, IT'S SEE YOU SOON!

THE TV QUEEN TELLS US WHY SHE'S REALLY LEAVING HOME AND AWAY

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For more than 31 years. Lynne McGranger has been as much a part of Home and Away as Summer Bay's diner! But now, as the actress who plays Irene Roberts exclusively tells New Idea, she's stepping away from the much-loved TV drama.

"I am going to miss everyone at Home and Away terribly," she tells us. "Especially my dear friends in the cast, and of course, the crew."

But fans needn't fret too much the star is just taking an extended break from the show for a new and very exciting personal project.

Lynne, 71, is set to star in a stage production called The Grandparents Club, alongside its creators Wendy Harmer and John Field. Lynne will play country-club regular Liz in a show that's described as an "all-you-can-eat buffet of stand-up, send-up and song".