Beloved Home And Away character Irene, played by Lynne McGranger, has been a mum to many in Summer Bay.
Loved worldwide, the popular character is the ultimate true-blue battler, known for her welcoming presence to her foster children, warm heart and quick-witted remarks. And for her rollercoaster life in Summer Bay!
But for Lynne McGranger – the award-winning drama’s longest-serving female cast member – her character’s trials and tribulations are far removed from her own. Unlike her alter-ego, she prefers a low profile.
“I deal with the fame of the show. But it [being a public figure] is a bit weird. Especially with personal stuff – word gets out,” Lynne previously explained to TV WEEK.
We look back at Irene’s most memorable relationships with the kids she counted as her own, from Selina to Nick, Irene has looked after a number of troubled teens over the years.
Selina Cook
1. Selina Cook (Tempany Deckert)
The tearaway with attitude arrived in Summer Bay in 1994. During her time living with Irene, Selina slept with Irene’s son Damian (Matt Doran). Selina fell pregnant from the encounter, but later suffered a miscarriage.
Chloe Richards
2. Chloe Richards (Kristy Wright)
Chloe was one of Irene’s earlier foster children and arrived in 1995. The two stayed in close contact after she left Summer Bay. When Chloe briefly returned in 2005 she tragically died after a car accident, with Irene at her side.
Hayley Smith
3. Hayley (Bec Hewitt) and Nick Smith (Chris Egan)
The Smith siblings were placed in foster care after their father became an alcoholic. They arrived in Summer Bay in 1998 and found a place to call home with Irene.
Nick Smith
4. Nick Smith (Chris Egan)
The two siblings travelled to London with Irene in 2001.
Olivia Richards
5. Olivia Fraser Richards (Raechelle Banno)
In 2015, Irene was reunited with Olivia – who’s the daughter of Chloe. The two have been through a traumatic time since her arrival in the Bay, with both revealing they were victims of sexual assault.
Olivia was also one of the first to notice Irene had fallen off the wagon and had an alcoholic relapse.
Ada Nicodemou on her friendship with Lynne McGranger
Sahsa Bexmel
6. Sasha Bezmel (Demi Harman)
Summer Bay teen Sasha wanted to stay in town when the rest of her family moved interstate. So Irene offered her a room in her house in 2014. The two had a close relationship as Sasha also worked at the Diner with Irene.
Geoff Campbell
7. Geoff Campbell (Lincoln Lewis)
Country kids Geoff and Annie moved in with Irene in 2007 when their grandfather’s farm was repossessed. During his time in Irene’s home, Geoff struggled with his faith and trying to adapt to life at high school.
Annie Campbell
8. Annie Campbell (Charlotte Best)
Annie also had issues with her faith and clashed with Irene when she suffered an alcoholic relapse.
Belle Taylor
9. Belle Taylor (Jessica Tovey)
Irene always had a soft spot in her heart for teen Belle. The headstrong teen lived with Irene after she came to town in 2006 searching for her birth mother. Irene supported Belle through her drug addiction and her up and down romance with Aden (Todd Lasance).
Joey Rainbow
10. Joey Rainbow (Alex O’Han)
The troubled teenager arrived in Summer Bay in 1996 and was soon invited to live at Irene’s house. He’d previously lived in a commune and so struggled to adapt to life in the Bay. During his time in the Bay, Joey was diagnosed with schizophrenia and Irene supported him through his medical issues.
READ NEXT: Former Home and Away stars who are still best friends in real life
