Fans of Home and Away who have gone into mourning mode at the thought of the annual Summer Bay break, can dry their tears as Channel 5 have announced that to fill the gap left by the popular Australian soap over the summer months they will be showing a selection of some of the fan’s favourite episodes, starting with the shows pilot, according to the Daily Star newspaper.

Home and Away first appeared on British screens back in 1989 on ITV as a rival to the already hugely successful Australian soap, Neighbours, which was being aired on BBC1.
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As fans of Hollyoaks may know, former Neighbours actor Dan O’Connor has been cast in the role of a village newcomer called Ally…

And it seems he’s not only set to cause some romantic tensions in Chester, he’s also arriving with a few secrets, which he hopes will stay just that – secrets.

But of course, in soapland, secrets tend to refuse to stay hidden!

Dan – who played Ned Parker on Neighbours – has already begun filming for the role of former army medic Ally, and we’ll see him on-screen for the first time in the New Year.

When he arrives in the village, he lodges with Jacqui McQueen (Claire Cooper) and Rhys Ashworth (Andrew Moss) and, given he’s rather a hunk, he soon catches the collective eyes of Michaela (Hollie-Jay Bowes), Amy (Ashley Slanina-Davies) and Ste Hay (Kieron Richardson).

What’s On TV report that Dan said of his new role, “I’m really excited about joining Hollyoaks, especially with its recent success… Read more & comment »

News from down under today is that Sandy Winton is to leave Neighbours, however, former Prisoner Cell Block H actress Glenda Linscott is joining the cast of the show.

Sandy, who’s played the role of Erinsborough High principal Michael Williams for nearly two years, revealed that we’ll see him for the last time in Ramsay Street next year.

The show’s executive producer, Susan Bower, made the announcement about Sandy’s forthcoming exit via the show’s official website.

She wrote, “The Michael Williams character (played by Sandy Winton) will be leaving Ramsay Street as part of a significant story coming up in April.

“Sandy’s contribution to the show has been superb, enabling the character to be part of some milestone storylines.” Read more & comment »

Ashleigh Brewer, who plays Kate Ramsay in Neighbours, has revealed that she’d like to see her character enjoying the life more, and not having to have so much responsibility.

As fans of the show will know, Kate – a trainee teacher – is guardian to her younger sister Sophie, and she had to say goodbye to her boyfriend Mark Brennan when he went into a witness protection program.

Speaking via the show’s official website, Ashleigh said, “It would be nice for her to have time to be herself.

“She has so much responsibility at a young age – looking after her sister, working and studying.

“Some ‘me’ time would be great. I think Mark came pretty close as her perfect match, so big shoes to fill.”

However, Kate is about to learn that Mark did survive witness protection and is dead. that news is set to send her off the rails… Read more & comment »

The PA reports today that indie band William and the Tells have landed roles on Neighbours as part of a storyline in which Andrew Robinson (Jordan Smith) decides to become a showbiz manager.

The group – made up of brothers William and Peter Ewing and their friends Ben Callaghan and Sam Walsh – will be seen in the soap for a month as ‘Red Cotton’, who’ll be managed by Andrew

Speaking via the Neighbours website, William said, “It’s a huge opportunity for a bunch of local boys… Read more & comment »

Channel 5 have just announced a fabulous Neighbours competition which will see two lucky viewers scoring a trip to Queensland!

Here’s the info from Neighbours’ official website…

We’re offering two lucky viewers, plus one companion each, the chance to enjoy a week-long holiday in Port Douglas, Queensland, where our winners will not only get to sample the local sights but also meet some of the Neighbours cast. We’ll even throw in £1000 spending money!

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Michael Greco is reportedly desperate to move to Ramsay Street

Michael, better known for his 4 year role as Beppe di Marco in Eastender’s, has reportedly set his sights on joining the cast of neighbours.

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Australian newspaper The Herald Sun has revealed that a roof collapsed at the site of the studios where Neighbours is filmed on Friday, causing devastation at the scene.

However, as the show is on hiatus at present – as the cast and crew take their annual leave – nobody was injured in the in collapse.

Filming for the show is due to resume on January 24th but despite the fact that extensive repairs are required, a show source claims filming won’t be affected. Read more & comment »

The UK winner of Aussie soap Neighbours ‘Be A Star’ competition has been been announced.

18 year old Gabriella Darlington beat hundreds of hopefuls to land the role of Poppy in the hit show, and she’ll begin filming for her four-week part on Monday.

Essex girl Gabriella told the PA of her joy in landing the role of Poppy Rogers.

She said, “I can’t believe how lucky I am… Read more & comment »

Aussie actress Kym Valentine is back at work on the set of Neighbours after surviving a potentially fatal blood clot on her lung.

33 year old Kym – who plays Libby Kennedy – became ill a fortnight ago and was subsequently diagnosed with pulmonary embolism.

However, after treatment in a Melbourne hospital, Kym is now fit and well. Read more & comment »

On the official Neighbours website, the show’s executive producer, Susan Bower, has hinted that long-serving character Paul Robinson – who’s played by Stefan Dennis – will be given a major storyline for the show’s forthcoming anniversary.

She wrote, “Last week I saw episode 6,000. This marks Australian television history.

“The 6,000th episode falls on a Friday so the whole week is a special one.

“As Stefan Dennis – Paul Robinson – was in the first episode 25 years ago, it was decided that his character play a most important role in this very special event… Read more & comment »

Erin Mulally, who plays the role of Declan Napier in Neighbours has described his co-star Jane Badler – who plays Diana Marshall – as, “amazing.”

Jane, who previously played another character called Diana in the original series of ‘V’ plays a devious baddie on the show, and newcomer Erin seems to be in awe of her.

He told the PA, “She is amazing in what she does, she has so much intensity on screen and sometimes she’ll throw in some interesting comedy as well.

“She has had so much experience and has been all over the world.

“I worked with her in a teen sci-fi pilot I did and she also played a character called Diana, which was the name of her infamous V character as well… Read more & comment »

Kym Valentine, who plays Libby Kennedy in Neighbours, had to be rushed to hospital recently after collapsing.

Kym was subsequently diagnosed with a potentially fatal blood clot on her lung, called a pulmonary embolism.

Speaking to Contact Music, Neighbours executive producer Susan Bower said, “Unfortunately it is that time of year when people are prone to illness.

“We wish Kym a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing her next week when we return from a production break.” Read more & comment »

Former Neighbours actress Penny Cook is the latest of the show’s former stars to confirm that she’ll be reprising her role for the show’s upcoming anniversary celebrations.

Penny played Prue Brown, Ringo Brown’s mother, and apparently, when she returns to the show, Prue will “fall in love” with another of the show’s guest stars.

On the official Neighbours website, one of the show’s bosses wrote, “Without giving too much away, romance is about to light up the screen when Penny Cook returns to the Street for a celebration to be aired later this year.” Read more & comment »

The candidates for the Neighbours role of Poppy – for which the show’s bosses have been auditioning UK hopefuls – have been revealed.

The Sun reports that they are Gabriella Darlington, Jennifer Hall, Jo Gleave, Miriam Locke-Wheaton and Olivia Kennett.

And now it’s over to viewers to vote for their favourite finalist online at www.five.tv/neighbours.

After the online public vote closes at 23.59 on Sunday 27 June, the names of the two finalists with the most public votes will be announced on Live from Studio Five. Read more & comment »