Fans have begun speculating how Lynne McGranger’s character Irene Roberts will be written off the show.

Home and Away's Lynne McGranger and Shane Withington.

Home and Away fans have begun sharing theories on how Lynne McGranger’s character Irene Roberts will be written off the show. Photos: Channel 7

Home and Away fans are convinced they know how one of the show’s most popular characters will exit the series. It was announced in February that Lynne McGranger, who plays Irene Roberts, will be saying goodbye to Summer Bay after an incredible 33 years.

Channel 7 promised in a statement that Lynne will have an “emotional exit” that “cannot be missed”, but didn’t share any further details. Following Tuesday night’s episode, however, many viewers think they’ve worked out what will happen.

One fan took to a popular Facebook group to theorise that Irene might end up being diagnosed with dementia as she has begun showing signs of memory loss.

“Did anyone notice in last night’s episode that when Irene and John were talking about her watch and Irene looked confused and had a brain freeze like she lost her memory?” they asked. “We know that she leaves our screens in August 2025, do you think this is leading to a dementia storyline and leading to her leaving?”

The episode saw Irene being told the same information twice about Roo Stewart (played by Georgie Parker), but she acted surprised both times. John Palmer (played by Shane Withington) also asked why she had started wearing her watch again, as she had “stopped wearing that ages ago”, and she appeared confused by the question.

Home and Away's Lynne McGranger.

Some fans think Irene might end up being diagnosed with dementia. Photo: Channel 7

The Facebook post has received plenty of comments from fans who had also noticed the odd scene and agreed with the “plausible” theory.

“I was thinking the exact same thing myself, maybe dementia or a brain tumour,” one person said, while another added, “Exactly what I said to my family last night! Irene was forgetting things!”.

“Yes, I caught that too. Very clever and subtle I thought. I’m tipping it’s Korsakoff’s as well,” a third shared, followed by a different user who agreed, “Maybe dementia due to the alcohol abuse”.

“Well picked! Alcohol related dementia, Korsakoff Syndrome. An adult and relatable storyline,” someone else shared. “This, if it turns out to be true, will open discussions and make people aware that it is just not ‘silly old people’ that suffer from dementia.”

Others said they would prefer for Irene to have a more positive farewell, where she doesn’t suffer and potentially pass away..

“I hope she doesn’t die as an exit. She deserves a happy ending,” a fan replied, with another commenting, “I hope she just leaves, she’s been through enough. Let her go and retire”.

Lynne McGranger revealed during an interview on Nova 96.9’s Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie in March that she was the one who had come up with Irene’s exit storyline.

“When I decided that the time was right, I had this idea of what I think is a terrific storyline. I went to the writers, and normally they’re like, ‘Oh, quick, lock the door. Here she comes. Last time she came, she wanted Irene to get abducted by aliens’,” she shared.

“But this time they heard me out and they went, ‘That’s great!’. Maybe all these years I should’ve been in the writing department.”

When asked if her character was going to die or simply leave Summer Bay, Lynne said fans would have to tune in and see for themselves.

“I think it’s a valid storyline. I think it’s very, very pertinent, and I think people will travel the journey,” she added.