‘This is a joyous job.’
Stars of Home and Away, Shane Withington and Lynne McGranger, have been asked a lot of times if they plan to leave the show. Though it’s a question they’ve never really thought about, both performers are still very much enjoying their roles.
Shane finds satisfaction in playing the humorous role of surf lifesaving club president John Palmer, who is more well-known for his escapades than his dramatic storylines.
“Home And Away has been my life for the past 15 years, with a few ups and downs, but I’ve met terrific people along the way,” he told TV WEEK.
It excites me to play some really humorous plots that I have to. I enjoy visiting here every day.”
The same is true for Lynne, whose Australian fighter Irene has drawn admirers since 1991. Her fame has only increased; in 2023, she received her first TV WEEK Logie Award nomination for Most Popular Actress. Furthermore, Irene was recently ranked as the second most popular character by readers in TV WEEK’s survey of the 100 greatest Australian TV characters.
“It’s been an exciting time,” 70-year-old Lynne remarks of her nomination with Emily Symons and Ada Nicodemou from the cast. “We adored the enjoyable picture shoots and publicity events. Furthermore, we never engaged in competition. We always assumed that one of the other amazing women up for nomination would take home the prize! We were correct, too.”
Of all the moments Lynne had during the Logies, one stood out as really unforgettable.
She laughs and says, “I realized I couldn’t unzip my dress when I got back to the hotel room.”
“I bolted into the hallway, knocking on the closest door—which just so happened to be housekeeping. A man who remarked, “I know you,” and whose face brightened up welcomed me.
I answered, ‘Well, you’re going to get to know me much better. Would you kindly unzip me?’ He complied, and I quickly retreated inside my room, leaving the man somewhat stunned.”
Lynne and Shane’s characters are intricately linked to one other.
Regarding their enduring friendship, Lynne adds, “We laugh a lot and we’re great mates.”
Shane, 65, concurs, adding that his scene partner “is the nicest, kindest and most accommodating soul I’ve ever met”.
With 2023 almost in the rear-view mirror, Lynne is excited about spending time with her family, who are celebrating their own milestones. Lynne’s daughter Clancy got married recently, and she welcomed her great-niece, Paris, into the world.
“There’s plenty to celebrate – and among the feasting, there’ll be some napping, I suspect,” she says of their annual festivities.
Shane, an avid sailor, is ready to get back on the water after some family gatherings by the beach.
“I’m going to do a few more solo off-shore sailing trips – they keep me from actually turning into John Palmer!” he says with a laugh.
