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Kylie Minogue (Charlene Robinson) has revealed that she would have returned to the role which made her famous, and even offered to, but due to tour scheduling would have only been able to film her scenes in the UK. Digital Spy quotes her as saying "It's a big shame."

Stephen Hunt (Matt Hancock) is to continue his efforts to raise money for AIDS by swimming for the charity AIDS Trust later in the year. His bid to swim from Gibraltar to Morocco is being supported by friend and former co-star Daniel MacPherson (Joel Samuels). The two launched Stephen's bid last week at Bondi Beach.

Due to extended election coverage next Friday 6th May, Neighbours will now broadcast on BBC Two in Northern Ireland. The lunchtime screening will be at the later time of 3.00pm, while at teatime it will be broadcast as normal at 5.35pm, also on BBC Two. Other BBC One regions remain unaffected.

The Courier Mail reports that Jackie Woodburne, who has played Susan Smith for almost 11 years, has been nominated for a Rose D’or Award for best female performance in a soap opera. Jackie commented that “it is very rewarding for a performance to be recognised after such a long time with the programme.” The awards festival will take place in Switzerland from May 3rd to 8th.

TV Week has revealed that Andrew Clarke, who has appeared in many Australian dramas, including Snowy River, Always Greener and Blue Heelers, is set to join the cast of Neighbours. His role will be that of Alex Kinski, a single man who moves to Ramsay Street and woos one of the local single women, and is currently set to run for five months.

Reports have hit the press, in both Britain and Australia, this weekend about the love child of Craig McLachlan (Henry Ramsay). He revealed the truth about his 4-year old son, Jacob, in an interview with the ABC's Andrew Denton. The mother of the child is none other than Charlotte Avery, who recently joined the cast of EastEnders as Tina Stewart.

Jason Donovan (Scott Robinson) has more or less ruled out a return to Neighbours as part of the show's 20th anniversary celebrations. Jason told Pat Kenny on RTE's Late Late Show that despite the raft of returns by well known characters from the series heyday, including his father Terence Donovan, and the presence of his half-sister Stephanie McIntosh on the show, he felt it wouldn't be right to go back after such a long time.

Ex-Neighbours guest star Wendy Stapleton (Trixie Tucker) is currently rehearsing for her latest stage appearance in Minefields and Miniskirts.

"The play brings to life a collage of true stories based on the Vietnam War experiences of five women (a volunteer, journalist, nurse, entertainer and veteran's wife) who cross paths at an Anzac Day march during the 1980's."

The show starts its tour of Victoria this weekend in Wangaratta and then onto Shepparton and Geelong next week. You can also see the production in Sydney in May at the Belrose Glen Street Theatre.

For more information call the box office on 03 9685 5111 or email: boxoffice@malthousetheatre.com.au

Digital Spy has today revealed 14 more names - new to us - who will be making appearances during the 20th Anniversary episodes later this year.

In alphabetical order: Lesley Baker (Angie Rebecchi), Brett Blewitt (Brett Stark), Fiona Corke (Gail Robinson), Lucinda Cowden (Melanie Pearson), Bernard Curry (Luke Handley), Todd MacDonald (Darren Stark), Shaunna O'Grady (Beverly Robinson), Ailsa Piper (Ruth Wilkinson), Marnie Reece-Wilmore (Debbie Martin), Rebecca Ritters (Hannah Martin), Anne Scott-Pendlebury (Hilary Robinson) and Jansen Spencer (Paul McClain).

It is thought, but not confirmed, that the majority of them will be making brief cameo appearances.

It must be a Parker family trait to have appeared in a reality tv series. The Herald Sun reports that this week Australian Idol 2004 contestant Dan O'Conner will be temporarily joining the cast of Neighbours, filming scenes as Stu's brother, who we believe to be called Steve. O'Conner made it into the final 12 of last year's contest, but was then voted out. It is thought that the part may become regular if Dan proves popular.

The BBC have released their revised schedule for BBC One this Friday. Due to the royal wedding being postponed until Saturday, all normal afternoon programming has been reinstated including Neighbours which will broadcast at the usual time of 1.40pm.

The nominations for this year's Logie Awards have been announced, and Neighbours has been nominated in three categories this year. Along with the show's nomination for Most Popular Australian Drama, Ben Nicholas (Stingray Timmins) is up for Most Popular New Talent (Male) and Natalie Blair (Carmella Cammeniti) for Most Popular New Talent (Female). The awards will be screened on the Nine Network on Sunday May 1st.

Good luck to both Ben and Natalie!

Another old face is set to return to Australian screens within the next few weeks - Linda Hartley (Kerry Bishop). Longtime viewers will remember that the character, daughter to Harold and mother to Sky, died back in 1990, but don't worry, we're not about to see a ghost take up residence. In what's set to be a massive storyline for the Bishop family, Linda will be playing a woman named Gabrielle, who applies for a job at Harold's new General Store. UK viewers will see the beginning of this storyline in the Summer.

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