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Spoiler News Headlines

She's only been on Australian screens for a week, but Imogen Bailey's new role as Nicola West is already attracting plenty of attention, with news in today's Sunday Mail that The Australian Family Association has condemned her first storyline as "sick". The plot sees Nicola in a secret relationship with her adoptive nephew Riley Parker, and the AFA have claimed that the show is using recent news stories, such as the Josef Fritzl case in Austria, to grab ratings, despite the fact that the initial idea for the story came in a planning meeting over six months ago.

Executive producer Susan Bower has spoken out against the condemnation of the plot, saying "It is controversial, but all our stories are handled carefully." She has also answered reports that the hiring of ex-models such as Imogen and Erin McNaught (Sienna Cammeniti) is failing to have any positive effect on ratings, stating that Neighbours will "grow in leaps and bounds this year" and that the new additions to the cast are doing "extremely well".

Australian comedians and radio DJs Hamish & Andy are the latest names reported to be making a cameo appearance in Neighbours. The duo will be filming soon, and are offering a member of the public the chance to appear in the scene with them. Click here for more details.

Friday 25th April will see Natalie Saleeba make her final appearance as Rosie, as the character leaves Erinsborough for an extended trip to Italy with husband Frazer. The following week will then see the debut of Erin McNaught as Cammeniti cousin, Sienna. There've been numerous rumours doing the rounds about how long Sienna, and Erin, will be sticking around, but this weekend's Sunday Herald Sun confirms that she does not intend to sign a new contract once her current one runs out in July. Also thinking about life away from Erinsborough is another Cammeniti woman - Natalie Blair, who's played Rosie's sister Carmella since 2003, is quoted in the Sunday Herald Sun as saying that "I am itching to get overseas. I would love to get to New York, I want to do the whole Broadway musical theatre thing. I just love being out on stage and I really miss it. Don't worry, I won't be releasing any music. I have no desire to do that." Natalie's contract is due to expire in September.

In the last few weeks, Steve Parker has made several mentions of his cruel father, Jim, and this week's TV Week reports that the role has now been cast. Roger Oakley, who has had roles in Something In The Air and Prisoner Cell Block H, but is best known in the Australian soap world for playing Tom Fletcher in Home & Away, will play Jim, who will tear himself away from his farm in Oakey to make an appearance in Erinsborough later this year.

Today's Sunday Herald Sun reports that Scott Major has joined the Neighbours cast. He will play Lucas Fitzgerald, brother to teacher Dan, and started on set this week. Scott previously appeared on Neighbours for several weeks back in 1993, as the first actor to play the role of Darren Stark. The role was taken over by Todd MacDonald when Darren became a regular fixture in 1996, but, in our 2005 interview with Scott, when asked if he'd ever consider a return to Ramsay Street, his response was "Never say never". Scott is best known for his regular roles as Rivers in Heartbreak High and as Tom in Always Greener.

In other casting news, it was recently reported in TV Week magazine that former Blue Heelers regular Charlie Clausen will join the cast in an, as yet unnamed, extended guest role.

It seems that reports in TV Week magazine two weeks ago, suggesting that newcomer Erin McNaught had already quit her role as Sienna Cammeniti, were premature. A story in the weekend's Sunday Herald Sun confirms that Erin is still filming, and has signed an extension to her initial three-month contract, which will see her remain in the role until June. Sienna is still being classed by Neighbours as a guest character, however, and it is thought that Erin will return to her home in Sydney after her second contract finishes up.

TV Week is reporting that another cast member has quit - and this one hasn't even made it to screen yet. Erin McNaught, the former Miss Australia, was announced to be joining the cast in the role of Carmella's cousin, Sienna Cammeniti, commencing filming at the beginning of January on an initial three month contract but, only two months later, reports suggest that she's gone.

Meanwhile, more details are slowing emerging about a few other previously announced Neighbours newcomers - Dean Geyer's character of Ty Harper will make his Australian on-screen debut on Thursday 27th March, and Ty will be the cousin of recurring character Taylah Jordan. Simone Buchanan will first appear as Samantha Fitzgerald, the estranged wife of teacher Dan, on Friday 21st March, and the character will be around for five months with a major storyline centring around her mental health. And finally, Imogen Bailey is set to debut as Miranda's vixen sister Nicola in May, and it seems that her first major story will lead to the departure of Nicola's adoptive nephew, Riley.

You'd be forgiven for thinking that a revolving door had been installed at the end of Ramsay Street, with news that three more cast members will be packing up and moving out in the coming months. A PB team member heard during a Neighbours event this week that, hot on the heels of the departure of David Hoflin (Oliver Barnes), three more cast members will be going - Jesse Rosenfeld (Marco Silvani), Sweeney Young (Riley Parker) and, most surprisingly of all, Daniel O'Connor (Ned Parker) will all film their final scenes in around three months' time. It is unknown what will become of poor Elle and Carmella, as they each lose their latest love interests, or how young Mickey is going to cope with losing his dad.

It is suspected that some of the upcoming cast changes are the work of new executive producer Susan Bower, who was appointed in December. With Australian ratings still very disappointing, it is unlikely that these will be the last of the changes for Neighbours in 2008.

David Hoflin is the latest name to depart from Ramsay Street. In an interview added at LastBroadcast, he's quoted as saying that he'll miss Sarah May, the baby who recently started playing little Chloe Cammeniti, when he finishes filming later this year. It is currently unknown exactly when David will leave, or how Oliver's departure will come about.

Janet Andrewartha has returned to the set of Neighbours this week to resume her role as Lyn Scully. During an appearance at a Meet Your Neighbours Trivia Night on Monday, she revealed to the audience that she was returning, and later told a member of the Perfect Blend team that she was returning to filming this week and would be staying for a month, with some of her first scenes being filmed with Stefan Dennis (Paul), Carla Bonner (Steph) and Jackie Woodburne (Susan).

Janet left Neighbours in late 2006, as Lyn left Erinsborough for her honeymoon following a brief and disastrous marriage to Paul, later settling with Valda in Shelley Bay, rather than returning to Ramsay Street.

Former supermodel Imogen Bailey has been announced as the latest signing to the Neighbours cast. Imogen commenced filming on Monday 21st January in the role of Nicola West, Miranda's vixen of a younger sister. She is quoted in the Sunday Herald Sun as saying, "Acting is a passion of mine. It has been a slow burn. I have done bits and pieces over the years. When my agent called and said I had the role, I thought he was joking." 30-year-old Imogen has previously appeared on reality shows Celebrity Big Brother, Skating On Thin Ice and Celebrity Survivor and had several minor film roles, but is best known for her modelling work. She reportedly filmed 14 scenes on her first day, and will debut on Australian screens in May.

Popular Australian actress Simone Buchanan is the latest name to join the Neighbours cast, having started filming this week for a five-month guest role. Simone first rose to fame in Australia as part of the cast of sitcom Hey Dad! and has since appeared in numerous television series. Her connection to Neighbours, meanwhile, dates back to 1990, when her younger sister, Beth, played Gemma Ramsay.

A small snippet in this week's Inside Soap has given hope to the many fans missing the presence on Izzy Hoyland in Ramsay Street. With Natalie Bassingthwaighte in Australia at the moment, about to take on presenting duties for the country's version of the American series So You Think You Can Dance?, the article reports that there are also rumours of her making a brief return to Neighbours.

Model Erin McNaught has been announced as the newest addition to the Neighbours cast. 25-year-old Erin is a former Miss Australia, also representing the country at Miss Universe. She has also been working as a television presenter, on Network Ten's Cyber Shack. Fiona Byrne's column in the Sunday Herald Sun reports that she has signed a three-month contract, with the possibility of becoming a full-time cast member. No details about her character are currently known, though it is reported that she will begin filming on December 17th.

It has been announced that Ian Smith will retire from his role as Harold Bishop later this month. Ian has played the role since 1987, with a five year break, but has now decided to leave and enjoy some time to himself, though he will return for several guest appearances in 2008. He will film his final scenes in the next few weeks and will leave both UK and Australian screens in the first half of next year.

Everyone at Neighbours: The Perfect Blend would like to thank Ian for the many years of entertainment he's provided as Harold, and wish him every happiness in his retirement.

UPDATE: Luke Devenish has provided us with the following statement on Harold's imminent departure:
"Don't panic! Harold is not leaving permanently! The circumstances of his departure are such that Harold will be making regular and triumphant returns to Ramsay Street throughout the year, and in the years following too. The wonderful and much loved Smithy certainly did not want to leave the show - nor did we want him to leave (we'd have to be crazy!) - but he was keen for some time out and a healthy dose or R & R, plus a reduced workload upon his return. Perfectly reasonable really. While Smithy can certainly run rings around many of us at Neighbours, he's still not quite the spring chicken that he used to be. So send him your congratulations and best wishes - I'm sure they'll be appreciated. Harold will be on Australian screens until April next year."

TV Week reports that, after months of rumours, former Australian Idol contestant Dean Geyer will be joining the Neighbours cast. Geyer has reportedly been taking acting classes for several months, and will join the regular cast as a singer named Ty, who befriends the younger characters in the cast, quickly becoming entwined in the goings on in Ramsay Street. The length of his contract is currently unknown, but it's thought that he'll commence filming within the next couple of months.

UPDATE: More details have emerged in the last few days about Dean's new role. He will start filming the part of Ty Harper this week, and the character is reportedly a university drop-out with musical aspirations. The character will be phased in slowly, to allow for Dean's imminent touring commitments. And it seems that Ty won't be the only new face arriving in Ramsay Street next year, as, according to Fiona Byrne's Sunday Herald Sun column, a casting call recently went out for a new female character, described as "smart, sexy, beautiful, shrewd and a bombshell".

TV Week is also reporting that Delta Goodrem (Nina Tucker) is currently in negotiations for a Neighbours return, joining the ever-growing list of musical talent set to play at Charlie's bar. Bizarrely, however, it is currently unknown whether the cameo appearance will see Delta playing Nina or simply appearing as herself.

Neighbours.com has today confirmed the reports that Eliza Taylor-Cotter (Janae) and Ben Lawson (Frazer) are leaving, and added a new name into the mix. Many fans were worried about how Frazer could possibly leave Erinsborough without Rosie, but now it seems that she's going too. Natalie Saleeba will film her final scenes at the end of 2007, along with Ben, but they'll be on Australian screens until April, and UK screens until June.

The Herald Sun reports that another cast member is set to leave Neighbours by the end of the year. We already reported last month that Eliza Taylor-Cotter will film her final scenes as Janae Timmins next month, and it seems that Ben Lawson (Frazer Yeats) will be following her out of Erinsborough, filming his final scenes by the end of 2007.

It's not all bad new though; a couple of cast members have signed new contracts bringing them to late 2008. Natalie Blair (Carmella Cammeniti) has extended her contract until September of next year, while Daniel O'Connor (Ned Parker) will remain until at least October 2008.

Petra Yared made her first Neighbours guest appearance back in 1996 in the guest role of tomboy Georgia 'George' Brown, then went on to have a very successful film and television career, with roles in Muggers, Blurred, MDA and The Secret Life Of Us amongst others. She's currently filming a new Neighbours guest role, this time playing Mia Silvani, the sister of new regular cast member Marco Silvani (Jesse Rosenfeld) who makes his first appearance on Australian screens next month.

Special thanks to Daria from PetraYared.com for providing us with this spoiler.

Eliza Taylor-Cotter (Janae Timmins) has confirmed plans to leave on Anthony Engelman's MySpace, where she mentions only having five more weeks of filming left. This means that Janae will make her last appearance on Australian screens in early 2008, after almost three years.

Meanwhile, TV Week reports that two of the Australian Idol judges are set to make Erinsborough cameos. Marcia Hines will apparently appear in November, in time to pass judgement on Karl Kennedy's (Alan Fletcher) singing, while Ian 'Dicko' Dickson will film his appearance soon, and appear on screen in early 2008. Also paying a visit to Erinsborough will be actress Jane Allsop. Jane appeared in two separate Neighbours guest roles in the 1990s before becoming a well-known face in Australia thanks to her role as Jo in police drama Blue Heelers. Jane's latest Erinsborough role sees her playing lawyer Diana Murray, who will help Toadie (Ryan Moloney) at the law firm when Rosie (Natalie Saleeba) is called away suddenly.

The official Neighbours website, neighbours.com reports that fans have many returning characters to look forward to in the coming months. As well as the previously mentioned returns of Libby Kennedy (Kym Valentine), Valda Sheergold (Joan Sydney) and Daniel Fitzgerald (Brett Tucker), next week's Australian episodes will see Toadie's (Ryan Moloney) big brother, Stonie (Anthony Engelman) back in Erinsborough, while later in the year, Darren Stark (Todd MacDonald) will be returning, presumably with, or not far behind, girlfriend Libby.

Libby's young son, Ben Kirk will also be back - with a new face. Ben was played from his birth in 2001 until 2003 by Noah Sutherland, before Sean Berends took over the role in 2004. When Ben returns at the end of 2007, a third actor will be taking on the role - Blake O'Leary, who is the younger brother of Fletcher O'Leary, another recent cast addition as Mickey Gannon.

The Sunday Telegraph reports that Neighbours intends to up its live music content as part of its revamp. A stage area in the revamped Scarlet Bar (now called Charlie's) will allow for regular appearances from singers and groups. Artists already said to be lined up to film appearances include Robyn Loau, Marcia Hines, Human Nature and Amy Pearson, with 2006 Australian Idol winner Damien Leith reportedly filming the first such spot this week.

Despite having only told us a fortnight ago that he had no plans to leave, Benjamin Hart (Adam Rhodes) will film his final scenes shortly when his contract expires. Fiona Byrne of the Sunday Herald Sun reports that Benji's six-month contract comes to an end on August 24th, though the door will be left open for the character to return if required. The character of Adam was brought in as a long-term love interest for the character of Pepper Steiger (Nicky Whelan), making his debut on Australian screens in June, but, when Nicky cut short her contract and left the series only a few weeks ago, many fans wondered just how long Benji would stick around without her.

The Daily Telegraph's Sydney Confidential has revealed that former Australian Idol contestant Dean Geyer, who finished third in last year's series, is close to signing a deal to join Neighbours. Rumours have been circulating for months, but his deal was apparently the hot gossip at a party in Melbourne on Monday night, at which cast, past and present, celebrated the show's big relaunch.

Also at the party, it was announced that Neighbours has been recommisioned on Network Ten for a further three years.

UPDATE: The Herald Sun's Confidential mentions, as well as the three year recommision, that FremantleMedia have confirmed plans to move from their Nunawading studios to an all new, purpose-built venue, set to feature studios, editing suites and possibly even a Neighbours shop and museum. Meanwhile, the Dean Geyer rumour is mentioned again, adding that his inclusion is part of a plan to feature live music in the new Charlie's Bar set and that other new signings are likely to be announced soon.

This week's relaunch of Neighbours in Australia appears to have paid off in the ratings, with Monday's episode, featuring Rosie and Frazer's wedding, the arrival of the Parker family and the lives of several characters having in the balance following a bus crash, 1,048,000 viewers, bringing it over the 1 million mark for the first time in quite a while. The show was also number one in the 18-49 demographic. Whether the ratings can be maintained over the coming weeks and months remains to be seen, but things are certainly off to a good start.

Yesterday saw the debut of the "new look" Neighbours on Australian television. As well as a new opening title sequence, theme tune and logo (all of which can be seen on the 2007 Opening Titles - Version Four video in our Multimedia: Credits section), and the axing of the episode titles, episode 5261 saw some big changes for the characters too - Rosie and Frazer were married, Ned's brother, Steve, arrived in Erinsborough with his family, and the episode ended with the minibus carrying Steph, Toadie, Pepper, Adam, Elle, Oliver, Ringo and Carmella home, crashing into the Parkers' removal van. Below are some images from the episode.

But, as has been pointed out repeatedly in the media in recent weeks, this is just the beginning of several months of updates that will turn Neighbours into a much slicker production. Filming in now taking place in High Definition, the effects of which will be seen on screen by the end of this year, and this has also required some big updates to the sets, which will gradually take place over the coming months. The cast is also set for more changes, with Nicky Whelan (Pepper) already departed and set to last appear on screen in November. Meanwhile, Kym Valentine (Libby), Joan Sydney (Valda) and Brett Tucker (Daniel) will all be returning to the cast.

And to top off the changes, the Australian half of the official Neighbours website, neighbours.com has had a revamp to tie in with the show's new look.

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The official Neighbours website, neighbours.com has added a preview video, showing the revamped opening, theme tune and logo (the first change to its overall design since the show began in 1985), due to first air in Australia on Monday 23rd July. The video also includes a sample of what's to come in the storylines, including the arrival of several new characters; vet Steve Parker (Steve Bastoni), his wife Miranda (Nikki Coghill) and their two children Riley (Sweeney Young) and Bridget (Eloise Mignon), single mother Rebecca Napier (Jane Hall) and her son, Declan (James Sorensen) and the return of the inimitable Valda Sheergold (Joan Sydney). Click here to watch the video.

Recently departed Neighbours actor Kyal Marsh has complained about the treatment of his character, Boyd Hoyland, at the hands of producers during his final months on the show. He claims that the storyline which saw Boyd cheat on wife Janae with Glenn Forrest ruined the character and, by the time his contract wasn't renewed, he was ready to go anyway. Kyal's final scenes as Boyd are set to air in Australia on Friday August 3rd, and will see the character leave with Sky (Stephanie McIntosh) and baby Kerry (Claudine Henningsen) to start a new life together away from Erinsborough.

A few actors with previous connections to Neighbours will be making guest appearances later this year. Ally Byrne, who previously appeared in 1999 as Megan Townsend, will return later this year as Gemma Ogden. Meanwhile, Liam Hemsworth, whose older brothers, Chris and Luke, have both had Neighbours guest roles (Chris played Jamie Kane in 2002 and currently appears as Kim in Home and Away while Luke played the recurring role of Nathan Tyson in 2001 and 2002), begins filming this week for a two-month guest role.

According to TV Week magazine, Nicky Whelan has quit her role as Pepper Steiger as the current cycle of her contract comes to an end. Nicky has played manic Pepper for a year now, and intends to head to Los Angeles where she has many friends, including actor and comedian David Spade to try a carve out a career in Hollywood. She will film her final scenes on Friday 20th July and Pepper's final episodes are set to air in November. The status of Benjamin Hart, who recently joined the cast as British backpacker, and intended long-term boyfriend for Pepper, Adam Rhodes, is currently unknown.

UPDATE: A member of the PB team has spoken to both Nicky (Pepper) and Benji (Adam) during a Neighbours event in Melbourne today. Nicky actually finishes filming this Friday (13th) while Benji has no current intentions to leave and is not aware of any plans to write Adam out either.

TV Week reports that Benji McNair (Mal Kennedy) is the latest name rumoured to be returning to the Neighbours set. Mal first appeared, with the rest of the Kennedys, in 1994, before quitting in 1997, then returning for guest stints in 2002 and 2004. With his parents, Karl (Alan Fletcher) and Susan (Jackie Woodburne) still present and sister Libby (Kym Valentine) set to make a permanent return before the end of the year, could a Kennedy family reunion be on the cards?

Fiona Byrne's column in the Sunday Herald Sun reports that Brett Tucker is to reprise his role as teacher Daniel Fitzgerald, seven years after his last Neighbours appearance. Since playing Daniel, Brett has gone on to bigger things, spending four years as Dave Brewer in McLeod's Daughters, but is now set to return to Ramsay Street full-time as Daniel, the likeable teacher who, along with his pet lizard Barney, moved in with colleague Tess Bell (Krista Vendy) briefly in 2000. As well as having a crush on Steph (Carla Bonner) which went no further than a few dates, Daniel came close to getting together with Tess, but she realised that she couldn't move on from her dead husband, Brendan (Blair Venn) and Daniel moved out. He is due to return to Australian screens late in 2007.

Following recent speculation, it has been confirmed that Kym Valentine will reprise her role as Libby Kennedy. After taking a break from acting following her role on the stage production of Dirty Dancing, Kym told the Sunday Herald Sun, "I am hugely loyal to the show and I'm ready to go back and do what I love."

Kym left the show in 2004 following 10 years as Libby Kennedy and will be back onscreen before the end of the year.

Check out The Soap Show this week for an interview with Susan Kennedy herself, actress Jackie Woodburne. Towards the end of the interview, Jackie drops a few hints about Susan's next big story, currently being filmed, and hints that it's a health-related plot, which will see Susan start to prioritise her family, friends and work and look at life in a different way.

TV Week reports that Neighbours is currently in negotiations with Kym Valentine to reprise her role as Libby Kennedy later this year. Kym left in 2004, after 10 years as Libby, to appear in the stage production of Dirty Dancing and is now back in Melbourne and concentrating on her music career, appearing in an acoustic duo with Waiting Room's Tommy Rando.

Fiona Byrne's column in the Sunday Herald Sun has revealed the names of the latest signings to the Neighbours cast. 18-year-old Sweeney Young, who has previously appeared in Holly's Heroes and Little Oberon, and 20-year-old Eloise Mignon, who has appeared in the sci-fi series Silversun, will both begin filming shortly.

The Sunday Herald Sun has revealed that American actor and comedian David Spade is set to make a cameo appearance in Neighbours later this year. Spade agreed to the appearance thanks to his friendship with Nicky Whelan (Pepper Steiger), who appeared on his US series, The Showbiz Show last week. He'll be returning the favour when he visits Australia in May.

With recent news that a new family would be joining the residents of Ramsay Street later this year, the Sunday Herald Sun has announced the names of the actors set to play the parents. Steve Bastoni, who has appeared in Police Rescue, Water Rats and The Matrix Reloaded, and Nikki Coghill who has appeared in numerous Australian dramas and theatre productions, will start filming on Tuesday.

Steve and Nikki join other recent cast additions - Benjamin Hart, Fletcher O'Leary and Jane Hall - as part of Neighbours' "back to basics" revamp, which will start to take shape over the coming months.

As today sees the 22nd anniversary of Neighbours, what better time for the show to announce plans for a "back to basics" approach. An interview with Network Ten's drama executive Dan Bennett in today's Sunday Telegraph has revealed that "storylines are going to be refocused on what has quintessentially been at the heart of Neighbours: relationships and family dynamics. There can be the occasional bomb blast - no soap is complete without it - but at the end of the day, Neighbours began as a show about friends and families living on a street and all the problems people face every day. And that's what we'll be heading back to."

The interview also revealed that actress Jane Hall, who has appeared in numerous Australian films and drama series over the past 22 years, is set to join the Neighbours cast.

Alan Fletcher's (Karl Kennedy) latest newsletter has confirmed our reports of the show's plans to start filming in High Definition in the coming months, leading to set and backdrop revamps. He also mentions that another new cast member is set to join the show, in the form of 8-year-old Fletcher O'Leary. Alan reports that Fletcher will be playing Mickey, a young boy who is dumped on Ned Parker (Daniel O'Connor) by his mother.

In an interview with LastBroadcast.co.uk, Kyal Marsh (Boyd Hoyland) has revealed details of Boyd's upcoming exit, due to be filmed in the next few weeks, explaining that Boyd "leaves on good terms and with a woman he is meant to be with". With Stephanie McIntosh (Sky Mangel) filming her exit scenes at the same time, could Boyd and Sky finally be about to be reunited as they leave Erinsborough?

To find out more, including details of Kyal's plans after he leaves Erinsborough, click here to read the interview.

TV Week reports this week that Penny Cook has started filming a two-month Neighbours guest role. She'll first appear on Australian screens in June as Prue Brown, mother to Frazer and Ringo. Australian soap fans will know Penny well from two of her previous roles as Vicky in A Country Practice and the original Dr Elly in E Street.

This week has seen some new rumours about Neighbours' future in the Australian press, indicating that the show would be taken off-air for several weeks to be revamped, as well as some big changes in writing staff. A source on the show has confirmed to us that, although the part about it being taken off-air is untrue, rumours of a massive revamp are not unfounded - "The show is getting a big makeover, a big new family, plus a lot of other new characters and the return of some popular old ones. High Definition. New sets. New titles. New theme song. And no, the writers haven't been given the sack!" And, as if that wasn't enough, rumours in the UK press that Fiona Corke is back for another short stint as Gail Robinson are also true.

Following rumours last month that Matt Lucas was interested in a Neighbours cameo, the official website reports that he and comedy partner David Walliams, in Australian for the Little Britain Tour have this week filmed an appearance. The scenes involve them playing the characters of Lou and Andy, and were shot in the Scarlet Bar with actors Ryan Moloney (Toadie), Carla Bonner (Steph) and Nicky Whelan (Pepper). They'll hit screens in Australia in June and in the UK in September.

We've had several emails over the past few days about rumours that Tom Oliver has quit his role as Lou Carpenter after 15 years. However, a source on the show has let us know that it's completely untrue and Tom has absolutely no plans to leave.

The Herald Sun reports that Benjamin Hart has joined the Neighbours cast and will film his first scenes shortly. Benjamin will be well-known to some UK viewers from his role as hippy Foz in Hollyoaks for the last six months of 2006, a role he left to appear in the movie Mr Right. Benjamin has apparently signed a six-month contract, and his character will be a cheeky backpacker from London.

Fiona Byrne's column in the Sunday Herald Sun has revealed the latest name to be leaving Neighbours. Kyal Marsh will film his final scenes as medical student Boyd Hoyland in April. He's just the latest in a long line of departures, which also include Nell Feeney (Janelle Timmins) and Stephanie McIntosh (Sky Mangel). Fiona mentions that cast numbers will soon be replenished with the arrival of a brand new family.

The Sunday Herald Sun has reported some big changes to the Neighbours cast line-up in 2007. After months of speculation, Stephanie McIntosh has decided to leave when her contract expires in April. Also on the way out are Nell Feeney (Janelle Timmins), Sianoa Smit-McPhee (Bree Timmins) and Adelaide Kane (Lolly Allen), who is yet to even appear on Australian or UK screens. The article claims that the producers are bringing in fresh blood to boost ratings, and at least two other actors have been told that their contracts will not be renewed.

The Sunday Herald Sun reports that model Kristie Jandric has filmed a three-week guest role in Neighbours. She will appear on Australian screens in April as a character named Milly, who is expected to "cause a few waves in Ramsay Street." Kristie previously appeared in one episode back in 1999 as Natasha Symonds, a flight attendant colleague of Amy Greenwood.

TV Week reports that there will be a couple of well-known faces making guest appearances in Erinsborough in 2007. Rowena Wallace, best known for her role as Pat the Rat in Sons and Daughters will be on Australian screens in April, as part of a major storyline, while Rachel Gordon, who played Detective Amy Fox in Blue Heelers until its axing earlier this year, will play Erinsborough’s new doctor, who has a few secrets to hide.

As well as cameo appearances by the likes of Emma Bunton and Neil Morrissey, the upcoming Neighbours London episodes will also see an appearance by Daniel Schutzmann. Daniel rose to fame in 2002 in the role of Salvatore Biagi in Footballers Wives and, in 2005, joined the cast of Scottish soap River City in the role of Marty. According to the Daily Record, his Neighbours appearance will see him in the role of another professional footballer, Pete Gartside, who becomes involved with Izzy.

After several months of debate over whether Stephen Lovatt (Max Hoyland) was set to leave Ramsay Street for good, Inside Soap has today confirmed that Max will be gone from UK screens by the spring. Back in July, it was reported that Stephen would be leaving to appear in the play The End Of The Golden Weather, but it was later revealed to be simply a two-month break and he returned to filming in September. But it now seems that return was only to tie up loose ends with the character he has portrayed since 2002.

UK viewers this week saw the beginning of the storyline that will take Max out of Erinsborough for his two-month break, as Elle takes a cruel revenge on him for the death of her brother, Cameron, causing Max to doubt his own sanity and walk out on his wife and baby son. But, believing that she will never see her husband again, Steph is all set to start a new relationship with her old friend, Toadie...

Fiona Byrne's column in the Sunday Herald Sun reports that, as promised, a few well-known British faces will be featuring in next year's UK episodes, currently filming in London. As well as a cameo return by Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Izzy) who will shortly depart UK episodes, other famous faces lined up are former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, talk show host Michael Parkinson, comedians Julian Clary and Neil Morrissey and radio host Jonathon Coleman.

Fiona Byrne's column in the Sunday Herald Sun brings us news of another Timmins departure this week. Following last week's report that Damien Bodie is quitting his role as Dylan Timmins, it now seems that Ben Nicholas (Stingray Timmins) will also be leaving. Both actors will finish filming in November, only a week apart, meaning that their final scenes will be screened in mid-2007. And with both of their characters so heavily involved with Stephanie McIntosh's character, Sky Mangel, the news only adds more fuel to the rumours that she will leave when her contract expires next April.

As two actors leave, there will be a new face in Ramsay Street in the form of David Hoflin. David has been drafted in to play a new character, replacing Christian Clark, who recently departed from his role as Will Griggs after only 12 weeks of filming.

The Sun newspaper has revealed more information on the upcoming Neighbours trip to London, thanks to a chat with Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy). Alan, along with Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kinski) and Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Izzy Hoyland) will be filming six special episodes in London. They will arrive in the UK on October 28th for a week of special promotional appearances, including a trip to the National Television Awards, before filming begins a week later, possibly in and around many famous London landmarks. Alan also reports that we should look out for a few "high profile cameos from British celebrities". The episodes will air around April 2007 in Australia, and in the UK a few months later.

The Sunday Herald Sun is reporting that Damien Bodie is set to leave his role as Dylan Timmins. Damien has played hot-headed Dylan since early 2005 and is the latest in a string of cast departures, following Janet Andrewartha (Lyn), Dichen Lachman (Katya) and Christian Clark (Will). No other details are currently available, but with rumours that Stephanie McIntosh (Sky Mangel) is set to leave early next year, could a reunion be on the cards for the young couple before they leave town together?

He hasn't even made his first appearance on Australian screens yet, let alone those in the UK, but Christian Clark has quit his role as Will Griggs after only 3 months of filming. AdelaideNow reports that the actor "decided to leave the program and the producers have supported his decision". Christian will first appear on Australian screens on October 12th, and UK viewers will be able to see him, along with Natalie Saleeba (Rosetta), Nicky Whelan (Pepper) and Ben Lawson (Frazer) as the new residents of 30 Ramsay Street, in the New Year.

Another, slightly more unlikely, cameo is on the cards, according to the UK's Sunday Mirror newspaper, in the form of David Beckham and his wife, Victoria. The report claims that the producers are hoping for an appearance from the famous footballer and his singing wife when the show films in London and Madrid later this year. So far, they're only considering the offer.

2006 has already seen cameo appearances from Rove McManus, Shane Warne and Brodie Holland, and the trend looks set to continue into 2007. Fiona Byrne's column in the Sunday Herald Sun reports that Australian Idol presenter Andrew G will film a cameo this week, to be broadcast at the beginning of next year.

Further to recent news about the departures of Janet Andrewartha (Lyn Scully) and Stephanie McIntosh (Sky Mangel), it seems that another Neighbour is set to depart. The Herald Sun reports that Dichen Lachman (Katya Kinski) will not have her contract renewed and will finish filming in the next few weeks. Dichen, who joined the cast in late 2005 as the eldest Kinski sibling, will make her final appearance on our screens in early 2007.

Fiona Byrne’s column in the Sunday Herald Sun has revealed that Janet Andrewartha is set to leave her role as Lyn Scully after seven years. She will reportedly film her final scenes on Wednesday, before immediately heading out to the Edinburgh festival where she will be directing a production. Her last episodes will air at the end of 2006 in Australia and early 2007 in the UK.

Meanwhile, Inside Soap magazine reports that Stephanie McIntosh is also likely to be leaving her role of Sky Mangel when her current contract runs out next April. Like her half-brother Jason Donovan (Scott Robinson), Stephanie hopes to concentrate on her musical career after her departure, which would have seen her on our screens for four years.

Alan Fletcher (Karl Kennedy), appearing on the UK’s 101.8 DeltaFM last week, confirmed that he would be in the UK to film for Neighbours later this year. He and Jackie Woodburne (Susan Kinski) will film several scenes in the country, with rumours that Natalie Bassingthwaighte (Izzy Hoyland), who filmed her final scenes as Izzy in June, will also be making a cameo appearance.

The Australia-wide search for new Neighbours talent, as part of a competition in Dolly magazine, has come to an end. Two new young actors, 15-year-old Adelaide Kane and 18-year-old Sam Clark have been chosen from thousands of hopefuls to join the cast on three-month contracts, with filming due to commence later this month. Adelaide will take on the role of Lou’s daughter, Louise, who will return five years after going to live with her biological father, John Allen. Sam will play the part of Ringo, who is the younger brother of Frazer, a new character set to hit Australian screens soon. Both Louise and Ringo will first appear on Australian and UK screens early in 2007.

Inside Soap magazine has confirmed that Stephen Lovatt has filmed his final scenes as Max Hoyland. According to the report, Carla Bonner is sticking around, so it seems that the Hoyland marriage will be coming to an end after only two years.

Four new faces begin filming this week as Ramsay Street welcomes a new group of twentysomethings. The Sunday Mail reports that Christian Clark will join the cast as Will, along with Ben Lawson as Frazer, Nicky Whelan as Pepper and Natalie Saleeba as Rosetta. According to Ric Pellizzeri, the characters will be young and single with long-term issue-based storylines, but also connections to the street. The characters will hit Australian screens in October and the UK by early 2007. Click here for a picture of the newcomers.

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