Home and Away legend Lynne McGranger has shared the real reason for her unexpected exit from the soap. McGranger recently bowed out from the soap after playing iconic character Irene Roberts for 33 years.

In her emotional exit storyline, which aired last month in the UK, Irene said goodbye to the residents of Summer Bay for good after deciding to go travelling following her Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Appearing on The Late Late Show on Saturday (November 1), McGranger opened up to host Patrick Kielty about her soap exit, saying: “To be honest Patrick, it was coming for a while.”

On why she really left the show, McGranger said she felt she was too old to be working 14 hour days and had reached a state of exhaustion.

“I was exhausted, and everyone goes, ‘You look so well now’, that’s what giving up Home and Away does to you,” she explained.

She continued: “It’s hard work, it’s great fun… I was working 14 hour days, and I thought ‘I’m too old for this shit’.”

On what it felt like to leave the soap after so many years, the actor said: “It was hard to walk away from my friends, but they are still there. No one’s gone anywhere.”

Asked who she is still in touch with, having filmed her final scenes back in March, McGranger said: “Still great mates with Ada [Nicodemou], Shane [Withington], with Emily [Symons], and Alf of course, lovely Ray [Meagher].”

Speaking after her departure was announced, McGranger said in a statement: “After almost 33 years in my dream role and working everyday with people who I love, respect and whom I now consider family, it’s bittersweet to be closing the chapter on what has been the best and longest gig of my life.

“I am forever grateful to the best production crew in the world and to our genius writers – whose doors are always open – for everything they have done for Irene over the past 33-odd years, and I am so proud of the storyline which will see Irene out of the Bay. Above all, a massive, heartfelt thank you to the fans for your continued love and support.”