Lynne McGranger, who plays the legendary Irene Roberts in Home and Away, has responded to the rumours the soap is facing the axe after 31 years.
Posting a tweet to her social media account, Lynne said she’s “heard nothing” about this being true.
She also suggested it was made up by adding: “But then again I apparently was definitely leaving the Bay 18 months or so ago,” referring to false reports she had quit.
I’m seeing all this stuff but I honestly have heard nothing. It may be true…. but then again I apparently was definitely leaving the Bay 18 months or so ago. 🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️🤷🏼♀️ https://t.co/9tkiUNUtx3
— Lynne McGranger (@LynneMcGranger) 6 July 2019
She went on to reply to a fan who commented that “Home and Away axed” was now the second most trending topic in Australia.
The actress wrote: “Give me strength.”
Give me strength 🙄🙄🙄 https://t.co/Lp1fA1kMSx
— Lynne McGranger (@LynneMcGranger) 6 July 2019
She also responded to another fan, telling them to “talk to the suits”.
And again to someone else saying she was getting annoyed now detailing the fact she’s still working and being paid as proof the show is not being axed.
She asked people to stop going on about it.
Reports emerged Friday, July 5 that the Australian soap is facing the axe after 31 years on television.
Since the news broke, fans have launched several campaigns – and even a petition to keep the show on air.
In a tweet, begging TV station Channel 5, which airs Home and Away in the UK, to save the show, one asked followers to sign the petition.
Channel 5: Save Home and Away – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/Au5ZhYeD4y via @UKChange
— joan cooper (@joanzee51) 5 July 2019
Others used the hashtag #savehomeandaway, while many others simply reached out asking the TV channels in both the UK and Australia, as well as some of the show’s stars, to do something about the potential loss of the soap.
@HomeAndAway5uk @homeandaway_88 @LynneMcGranger @1madwoman1962 Please Save Home And Away Let’s Start A Campaign My Week Nights Will Never Be The Same Again 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢😢 #HomeAndAway
— Sally Young (@11syoung) 5 July 2019
No way can @Channel7 axe @homeandaway @HomeandAwayTV after 30+ years. Will be devastated if #HomeAndAway does come to an end. Hopefully these rumours are just that and the show can improve the ratings down under, @channel5_tv can’t you do something guys? @backtothebay 😢🌊🏄♂️
— James Roberts (@JamesRoberts330) 5 July 2019
Completely in shock!
There is worse rubbish on TV and they are thinking about taking something like this off air.
The past stars need to show their support for the show as it launched them.
So do we as well! Let’s make some noise so this doesnt happen.SAVE #HomeandAway https://t.co/zenZZkinWs
— Terri Barker (@Tez_25) 5 July 2019
ED! readers reacted to the news with equal upset, with one saying: “Watched this programme from the beginning I love it. I tape it all the time so I don’t miss it please don’t take it off.”
Another added: “Love Home and Away, I’ve watched it from the very beginning and still watching it today please save H&A.”
“No way I have watched Home and Away for as long as I can possibly remember. It is almost family the same as Neighbours so please do NOT axe our Home and Away,” stressed a third.
The soap, which airs on Channel Seven in Australia, first came onto our screens in 1988 and introduced an unforgettable theme tune and countless loveable characters who lived in Summer Bay.
Alf and Ailsa Stewart, Marylin Palmer (Emily Symons), Donald Fisher, Kim Hyde (who was played by Chris Hemsworth) and Emma Jackson (Dannii Minogue) all became household names in the UK as well as Down Under.
But The Mirror reported on Friday (July 5) that the show could be axed because of an unfavourable timeslot and the rise in popularity of reality shows.
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Channel Seven is said to be “under pressure” to make changes to its scheduling but could cancel the soap completely, the report says.
Airing at 7pm in Australia, the soap is up against popular reality show Married At First Sight.
ED! contacted Channel 5, but the channel declined to comment on the speculation.
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Home And Away hasn’t been the only popular soap that has reportedly been under threat.
Recently, Channel 4 spoke out in defence of hit soap Hollyoaks after a report claimed they were “battling to save” the show.
According to The Sun, ratings had dipped so low that the channel is injecting more money and demanding new storylines to turn fortunes around.
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