A news thread for all general peices of news regarding the show and the cast. I.e Digitial Spy news reports etc.
For big news stories, please feel free to set up a thread of it's own.
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A news thread for all general peices of news regarding the show and the cast. I.e Digitial Spy news reports etc.
For big news stories, please feel free to set up a thread of it's own.
First appearing on Ramsay Street in 1988 and returning full time in January 1992, Lou Carpenter became one of Erinsborough's most distinguished residents after years spent running the general store with best mate Harold Bishop. Along the way, he's flogged cheap vodka, knit-infested Russian hats and is now teaching those Apprentice-winning entrepreneurial skills to the younger generations. We caught up with actor Tom Oliver to find out how Lou is coping after Harold's departure and what we can expect from him next.
The big storyline at the moment is Harold's departure. That must be sad for Lou?
"Oh yes, definitely, but the old rascals keep in touch all the time. It was a sad farewell. Not just in character, but for me and Ian [Smith] too. We worked together for so long and were both on the same wavelength. We had as much fun off camera as we did on. He was a great actor to work with and it has left a great hole there - particularly comedy wise."
They were quite a double act weren't they?
"Some reviewers said we were like Laurel & Hardy or a cross between the two Grumpy Old Men and The Odd Couple. That just about sums us up on a good day I suppose!"
You started out as rivals at the start though?
"Yes, we had always been bitter rivals because Madge, Harold and Lou had all been at school together. Lou arrived in Ramsay Street to stop Harold from marrying her, but he won the day and Lou returned to Queensland. He came back four years later after Harold had disappeared and finished up living with her. He'd always had this huge crush on her."
Mickey and Lou do seem to have a very strong bond. How is that to act?
"We handle it carefully, because you know what that sort of question could lead to from some idiots about old men and young boys. I've made it very clear with the scriptwriters that nothing must have any hint of that sort of suggestions. Not that they would have done that to Lou in the first place, don't get me wrong. I do some work for an organisation called ChildWise and travel a lot to Thailand and Vietnam and am very strong on that score."
Lou seems to have been really taken in by the Parkers of late...
"Well he needed somewhere to live and was in a caravan outside their house. After they bought the house Steve told Miranda that they should invite Lou as he was always there anyway. It does seem like a bit of a fall from grace sometimes, but that's soap opera for you. At once stage I owned the garage, the pub, two houses in the street and I was mayor of Erinsborough, then they twist and turn it and suddenly one day I'm living in a caravan in the street."
Lou's always had very vivacious ladies. Any chance of him settling down?
"I don't think so. Deborah Kennedy, who plays Mischka, is doing very well in theatre at the moment. Legally, Lou is still married to Trixie Ticker, but she is in Hong Kong living off her Hello Dolly money, which is one of the reasons that Lou started going broke!"
What can we expect from Lou over the coming year?
"Well, I'm going to be taking a three-month break, so Lou will be off your screens for a bit. But when he comes back the Parkers will have gone, so who knows where Lou will even live. So long as it's not that bloody caravan!"
Would Paul Robinson put him up?
"Oh no, Lou would punch him in the nose any day of the week! It was rough when they made Paul a goody-goody after his brain damage. He's much better when he's evil. I came up with a joke storyline the other day where Lou injects woodworm into Paul's false leg when he is asleep, so when he runs for a bus he falls over. I think they thought that was even a bit too much - even for Neighbours."
A lot of characters seem to move to Bendigo, Colack and Perth after Neighbours. Where would Lou go?
"Yeah, Bendigo seems to be choice number one, some couples have gone to Perth too. I don't think Lou will ever retire. Just for fun I wrote half a dozen ideas of how Lou could leave the show. Choice number six was that he drops dead of a heart attack in the general store, holding a beer with a beautiful woman on his knee and a smile on his face. That would be Lou's perfect exit!"
Neighbours airs weekdays on Five at 5.30pm. It is repeated on Fiver at 7pm.
Neighbours executive producer Susan Bower has responded to claims that the soap lacks cultural diversity, admitting that it is still an issue for the long-running series.
Last year, the show was criticised for its lack of non-white characters and failure to represent a multicultural Australia.
"Cultural diversity is still an issue in Neighbours," Bower told fansite The Perfect Blend. "We are getting there in 'background characters', that is extras, but I would still like to mix it up with larger roles."
She added: "What makes it difficult is that most of our families are white so if a relative comes to visit or to stay they will usually be from the same cultural background.Spoiler:
Neighbours actor Tom Oliver has admitted that he was 'gutted' when Ian Smith decided to quit the Australian soap.
The star described the pair, who first appeared together on screen in 1988, as "old rascals" and claimed that they keep in touch all the time.
"It was a sad farewell. Not just in character, but for me and Ian too. We worked together for so long and were both on the same wavelength," he told DS.
"We had as much fun off camera as we did on. He was a great actor to work with and it has left a great hole there - particularly comedy-wise."
Oliver revealed that the duo's on-screen chemistry has been compared to other double acts over the years.
"Some reviewers said we were like Laurel & Hardy or a cross between the two Grumpy Old Men and The Odd Couple. That just about sums us up on a good day, I suppose!"
Neighbours is going back to its roots to concentrate on more family drama, says the series' script editor Pete McTighe.
In July 2007, the 24-year-old series launched a much-hyped revamp to curb dwindling viewing figures in Australia and move away from its sensationalised plots. Despite an initial spike of over 1 million viewers, ratings returned to an average of around 800,000 and have fluctuated ever since.
Speaking to fan site The Perfect Blend, McTighe said: "We're really taking the show back to its roots and concentrating on families.
"The Ramsay name is synonymous with the show, and when we were discussing our new family, from very early on we decided to tie them to the street in a very practical way.
"We’ve seen 3 or 4 blocks with the Ramsays now, and they’re fantastic. And I’m not just saying that."
As for any future Ramsay/Robinson family feuds, McTighe said: "It’s too early to say.We need to give these characters time to settle in."
It has always been about families in my opinion. :confused:
Neighbours will air a controversial storyline later this year, script editor Pete McTighe has said.
Speaking to website The Perfect Blend, McTighe promised that the upcoming storyline is likely to be the focus of debate when it airs.
"We have controversy-central coming up on air in 2009," he teased. "It’s a huge story, and is likely to stir up quite a bit of debate.
"I honestly reckon the stuff we’re producing now is the best we’ve ever done. Just you wait til July 20!"
News of the controversial plot follows McTighe's claim that the show is going "back to its roots and concentrating on families".
Neighbours star Tom Oliver will cut back on filming with the soap and only appear part-time, reports The Perfect Blend.
The actor, who first appeared in Ramsay Street as Lou Carpenter in 1988, will follow the lead of former co-star Ian Smith and reduce his hours. However, unlike Smith, Oliver has no plans to permanently leave the series.
As part of his new contract, he will alternate between four-month blocks of filming and four-month breaks.
Oliver recently revealed his ideal exit for Lou should he ever leave Ramsay Street.
Neighbours longtime casting director Jan Russ is currently in discussions about her future role with the soap it has been confirmed.
In March, Russ's future with the series was called into question after it was announced that FremantleMedia, the makers of Neighbours, were planning to bring in an external casting agency.
A Neighbours spokesperson today told DS: "FremantleMedia are currently in discussions with Jan Russ about her involvement in a number of projects for Neighbours, including the Dolly magazine Search for the Next Neighbours Star and the 25th Anniversary."
Russ, who previously worked as casting director for Prisoner: Cell Block H, has been with Neighbours since its inception in 1985.
Neighbours star Stefan Dennis is to appear in a Christmas panto in Wolverhampton.
The actor, who plays Ramsay Street's resident villain Paul Robinson, has signed on to star in Cinderella at the Grand Theatre from December 12 to January 31.
Meanwhile, Home and Away stalwart Ray Meagher has been cast in Peter Pan at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells from December 12 to January 3.
Meagher, 64, previously starred as Abanazar in a production of Aladdin at Basingstoke's Anvil Theatre.
Do they not have pantos in Australia that they come to the UK?
they always come over here to do panto :p
No, australia doesn't have Panto, hence why they all come over here, lus it pay's big bucks for them! Tunbridge wells is where i work, don't think i'll bother going to see Ray tho!
A Neighbours promotional trailer featuring the song 'The Last Day On Earth' by Australian singer-songwriter Kate Miller-Heidke has catapulted the single from nowhere straight into the Australian top 50 chart.
The emotional tune, which Channel Ten is using as the feature track for a heavy campaign to publicise the tragic death of one of Ramsay Street's favourite residents, stormed into the iTunes top 50 last week - debuting in the top 10.
Currently, the song is sitting in third position behind 'I Gotta Feeling' by the Black Eyed Peas and Lady GaGa's 'Paparazzi'. While on the official ARIA singles charts, the single debuted at number 35.
Miller-Heidke's second album Curiouser - from which 'The Last Day On Earth' is taken - has also seen a surge in popularity and is currently sitting at number four on the iTunes top 50 album chart.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a1...ong-sales.html
Last Broadcast has released a list of the top ten weirdest ever storylines featured on Neighbours, as voted for by the website's readers.
Describing the soap as having had some plots that "have strayed from a 'bit random' to WTF territory", the story where Bouncer dreamt that he married a fellow dog managed to score second place.
Violinist Andre Rieu's recent cameo in which he performed in the middle of Ramsay Street was polled as the weirdest storyline, followed by Bouncer's dream, the 2005 plane crash, Susan's amnesia and Santa Claus flying over the town at Christmas.
The London cameos, Drew's death, Zeke's cross-dressing, Harold's return from the dead and Audrey's adventure away from home rounded out the top ten.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a1...nes-named.html
Neighbours star Sam Clark has denied that he is leaving the soap later this year, claiming that he has not heard the rumours of his impending departure.
In April, Australia's Daily Telegraph reported that Clark was planning to quit the series when his contract expires in October to pursue a music career.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a1...ours-exit.html
Aww I hope he doesnt leave
Natalie Bassingthwaighte has apparently been snubbed by American television producers in her quest to crack the US.
Bassingthwaighte told the Melbourne Herald Sun: "It was a shock to the system and a very humbling experience. It's one thing being in Australia, where a lot of people know who you are. But to start from scratch... it's going to take a while to hit my mark, feel comfortable and do the best work I can."
The actress, who used to play Izzy Hoyland in Neighbours, said that she fought a bout of depression after bad reviews for her first feature film Prey.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/showbiz/...-by-csiny.html
Neighbours legend Harold Bishop has been named the top soap bloke of all time by Loaded magazine.
A poll of 2,000 readers named the Ramsay Street stalwart, portrayed by Ian Smith, as the most popular male soap character of all time, ahead of EastEnders' Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) and Bishop's fellow Erinsborough local Lou Carpenter (Tom Oliver).
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a1...oap-bloke.html
Congratulations to them all :clap:
Neighbours actor Scott Major has revealed that he nearly landed a part in EastEnders.
In an interview with Holy Soap, the 34-year-old admitted that he just missed out on the role of Sid Clarke, the accomplice in SJ's (Natasha Beaumont) scam to fleece Minty (Cliff Parisi).
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a1...astenders.html
Former Neighbours star Caitlin Stasey has landed the lead role in the film adaptation of best-selling novel Tomorrow: When The War Began.
The 19-year-old actress, who played Ramsay Street local Rachel Kinski, will star as Ellie Linton, the heroine of the teen novels that have sold nearly two million copies in Australia and New Zealand.
"I was ecstatic!" Stasey told ninemsn. "I have a lot of respect for Ellie's character and feel privileged to be playing such an inspirational young female role."
Director Stuart Beattie praised his film's leading lady, saying: "Caitlin captured the perfect balance of intelligence, vulnerability and strength that is essential to this character."
Filming of Tomorrow: When The War Began is due to begin at the end of September in the New South Wales Hunter Valley.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a1...film-lead.html
I am pleased for her as I always liked her :cheer:
Korean indie band The Black Skirts have flown to Australia specially to film a cameo role on Neighbours, reports the Herald Sun.
Upon arrival last Wednesday, the group were taken to the Neighbours studios where they filmed their scenes before flying out on Friday.
As part of their cameo appearance, The Black Skirts are joined on stage by characters Margot Robbie (Donna Freedman), Hany lee (Sunny Lee) and Ashleigh Brewer (Kate Ramsay) as backup singers.
"We needed a band for a scene with our Korean character Sunny Lee and The Black Skirts saw it as a great opportunity for international exposure, so organised flights and visas straight away," said Neighbours producer Neal Kingston. "And they were fantastic, so we were delighted."
A number of celebrities have recently shot cameos with the series, including Lily Allen and Jason Coleman, whose appearances will both go to air in Australia this week.
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a1...urs-cameo.html
Neighbours actress Kym Valentine has started dating former co-star Jonathon Dutton, according to a report.
The 32-year-old, best known for her role as Libby Kennedy on the soap, went public with the new romance at a David Gray concert in South Melbourne this week, the Herald Sun claims.
Dutton, 28, played Tad Reeves on Neighbours between 1998 and 2002. He has since appeared in a number of other Australian dramas, including The Secret Life Of Us, All Saints and Blue Heelers.
Speaking of her new relationship, Valentine is quoted as saying: "It is all early days."
The soap star parted from husband Fabio Tolli in 2007. She went on to have a short romance with actor Vince Colosimo last year.
Erin McNaught had to undergo emergency surgery yesterday after severing her finger in a motorbike accident.
The model and Neighbours star, who played Sienna Cammeniti in the Australian soap, fell on a dirt bike that she was riding and got her hand trapped in its spinning wheel.
McNaught's spokesperson told The Daily Telegraph: "An electronic dirt bike fell on her. She is having a major operation to reattach the finger, reconnect nerves and blood vessels in the finger that were severed in the accident."
The representative added that the Aussie star is "traumatised" by the incident.
Neighbours star Margot Robbie has revealed that she wants to see screen mother Tottie Goldsmith back in Erinsborough.
The actress's character Donna Freedman was devastated last year when scheming mum Cassandra descended on Ramsay Street for a short-lived stint. Cass's time with her daughter only served to worsen their relationship and she ended up leaving the street in disgrace.
However, Robbie told TV Soap that they got on much better in real life, explaining: "I would love Tottie to come back. We just had a ball when she was on set. It was just the most fun.
"We would giggle, and once we started we just couldn't stop. It was ridiculous. So any excuse to get Cass back on the show, I would fully get behind that."
Robbie also commented on Donna's turbulent romance with Ringo Brown (Sam Clark), which recently ended after she grew close to new arrival Andrew Robinson (Jordan Smith).
Speaking of the pair's future, she explained: "I think at the moment it's quite in the balance. It's right up to the network at the moment as to whether they'll get back together or not."
I'd hate to see Cass come back, she was awful.
Neighbours star Sam Clark has admitted that he does not know whether he has a long-term future with the soap.
The 22-year-old confirmed that he is planning to spend "five or six months" promoting his music career in the UK later this year, leaving a question mark hanging over his Ramsay Street character Ringo Brown.
Clark told Holy Soap: "At the moment I'm taking a break so I don't know whether the producers will have me back or how Ringo's leaving at this stage or what's happening there."
Speaking of his British plans, he explained: "I've never been to the UK so it's going to be really exciting for me. Hopefully I'll get to travel all around and meet a lot of people. I'm planning on going to a bunch of schools.
"I've got people asking me to come to the UK with my music all the time so to get that opportunity and to get to play to a new audience is very exciting."
Clark returned to Neighbours filming in January following a previous three-month break to promote his music.
Neighbours newcomer Jordy Lucas has revealed that she is keen to sing in a future episode of the show.
The actress, who plays Ramsay Street's Summer Hoyland, told Inside Soap that she dreams of getting the chance to show off her vocal abilities.
Lucas explained: "I really want to see Summer performing. I sing myself so I'd be very happy if I read in the script that she had to be in a musical or sing a song at some point. That'd be awesome, in fact!"
The star also reaffirmed her desire to see the rest of the Hoylands back in Erinsborough, especially Summer's brother Boyd (Kyal Marsh).
She said: "I was a huge fan of Kyal Marsh when he was in the show, so it would be nice to get to work with him."
Neighbours star James Sorensen has insisted that he is not feeling anxious about his new army career.
The actor recently bowed out from his role as Declan Napier in order to pursue a long-held ambition of becoming a soldier.
Asked by TV Week whether he feels nervous as he gets ready for life in the army, Sorensen replied: "No, not at all. I've been preparing with my trainer, Jay Shepherd, for the past three years - two years specifically for this. There's been blood, sweat and tears."
He continued: "I do anything from weights, to running up and down stairs, to skydiving. I don't think I could get any fitter. But I'm sure the army will change that!"
Sorensen also revealed how his Neighbours colleagues feel about his plans.
The 23-year-old said: "They've become like family, so they were always going to be worried about me. But they know it's something I've always wanted to do, so they're happy for me."
Declan is not being written out of Neighbours as Erin Mullally has been recruited to take over the part.
vvv
Neighbours newcomer Erin Mullally has admitted that he is trying to improve his physique after replacing James Sorensen on the soap.
The 18-year-old has taken over the role of Ramsay Street's Declan Napier following Sorensen's decision to quit the part.
In a joint video interview with Sorensen published on the official Neighbours site, Mullally confessed that he feels under pressure to appear muscular like his predecessor.
The new recruit revealed: "To prepare for the role of Declan, I've been basically trying to watch and get a feel for where James has taken Declan so far.
"And I guess also trying to get as big as him! I look scrawny sitting next to James so I've been doing push-ups, sit-ups and working out as much as I can."
Meanwhile, Sorensen tipped his successor to be a hit with fans, explaining: "It's for the better - it's either no Declan or another Declan and Erin's fantastic."
Sorensen bowed out from Neighbours in favour of a new career in the army.
Kylie Minogue has admitted that it could be "hilarious" to make a one-off return to Neighbours in the future.
The star played car mechanic Charlene Robinson on the Ramsay Street soap for two years before bowing out to focus on music in 1988. Although the character is occasionally mentioned, she has not been seen on screen since then.
Speaking to The Sun about a possible comeback, Minogue revealed: "The other day I thought how much fun it would be to do it after years of saying never. I've decided how it would work.
"Charlene would screech up the drive in her souped-up Mini which she's been working on all the time. I don't watch the show any more but it could be fun to do that. It could be hilarious."
The 41-year-old has previously spoken of how she would "love" to try more acting projects in the future.
Minogue is currently promoting the forthcoming release of her new album Aphrodite.
Neighbours' executive producer Susan Bower has announced that Kylie Minogue is welcome to make a return to the soap anytime she wishes.
The show boss made the invitation in response to a recent interview which saw Minogue ponder reprising her iconic role as car mechanic Charlene Robinson.
Speaking last week, the popstar confessed that it could be "so much fun" to film a one-off episode which would see Charlene "screech up the drive in her souped-up Mini which she's been working on all the time".
In a statement released on Neighbours' official website, Bower commented: "Kylie can arrive in a Mini, in a hot-air balloon or even parachute, anyway she desires, we would welcome her with open arms."
Minogue had also told reporters that "a chocolate drink called Milo and the biscuits, Tim Tams" are two Australian products which make her homesick, prompting Bower to promise that a huge supply of both will be put in her dressing room should she accept the invitation.
The star played Charlene for two years before bowing out to focus on music in 1988.
Neighbours star Alan Fletcher has revealed that he would love to see Kylie Minogue back for the soap's 6,000th episode.
The Ramsay Street serial reaches the landmark later this year and the special edition is expected to be the highlight of the show's 25th anniversary celebrations.
Speaking to The Sun about plans for the occasion, Fletcher - who plays Karl Kennedy - commented: "Characters from the past will emerge.
"They should be going hell for leather in getting Kylie. It would be quite extraordinary."
Last month, Minogue confessed that it could be "fun" to reprise her iconic role as Charlene Robinson for a one-off episode.
The singer's comments prompted Neighbours' executive producer Susan Bower to confirm that Minogue is welcome to make a comeback any time she wishes.
Neighbours couple Donna Freedman and Ringo Brown are to tie the knot in the soap's 6,000th episode, it has been revealed.
Margot Robbie and Sam Clark, who play the Ramsay Street lovers, have been filming the screen nuptials this week ahead of the storyline airing later this year.
Speaking to the Herald Sun about the plot, Robbie commented: "It's been fun, but it hasn't given me a taste for getting married - especially if my wedding day goes on for this long! We've been filming the episode all week so I've been in the dress all week. Wedding dresses are not exactly comfortable and it's been freezing.
"Of course there's a lot of drama leading up to the wedding. We're from Ramsay Street - things are always ten times more difficult."
The 19-year-old added that she could be under pressure if the storyline is compared to Charlene and Scott Robinson's (Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan) iconic 1987 wedding.
She said: "I've never seen that episode. I have no idea what I am competing with. But it's Kylie Minogue, so I have big shoes to fill."
Neighbours' 6,000th episode will be the highlight of the soap's 25th anniversary celebrations.
Kylie Minogue has insisted that she was only joking when she recently spoke about the possibility of returning to Neighbours.
Last month, the singer declared that it could be "hilarious" and "so much fun" to reprise her role as mechanic Charlene Robinson for a one-off episode.
Minogue's comments prompted Neighbours' executive producer Susan Bower to release a statement which said that the Ramsay Street soap would welcome her back "with open arms".
However, asked by Access Hollywood whether she will be back in Erinsborough, the popstar replied: "I can't believe this is still going!"
She added: "I think this might've come about because someone asked me in an interview, they said, 'Would you ever go back?' And I was like, 'I think that time passed,' but I just was making a joke saying, 'Can you imagine if Charlene [came back to] Ramsay Street in the mini that she left in 20 years ago?'"
Neighbours is currently celebrating its 25th anniversary year and last week filmed its 6,000th episode.
Neighbours star Alan Fletcher has revealed that he is eager to see his screen son Benjamin McNair back in Ramsay Street.
McNair's character Malcolm Kennedy originally appeared on the soap between 1994 and 1997 before later making comebacks in 2002 and 2004. He was also involved in the show's 20th anniversary episode five years ago.
In an interview with Holy Soap, Fletcher was asked whether the forthcoming arrival of Malcolm's friend Poppy Rogers could result in him making another return to Erinsborough.
The actor - who plays Dr. Karl - replied: "I'd like to think so. I'm not sure yet. He ostensibly lives in London, and I'm not aware of any script notion that he might return but I always cross my fingers."
Earlier this year, Neighbours bosses launched a UK talent search to find a budding actress who will play the role of Poppy. The hopefuls were this week whittled down to two finalists - Gabriella Darlington and Jennifer Hall.
Fletcher said: "I've taken an enormous interest in this competition. It's drawn fantastic attention from the public and media. And deservedly so because it's quite an exciting thing. Can you imagine? The two finalists are going to be flown to Australia and go through the entire process of preparing to be on Neighbours. They'll learn the whole experience of television."
Neighbours newcomer Erin Mullally has claimed that his version of Declan Napier is more "mature and savvy".
The actor was cast as the Ramsay Street favourite earlier this year after James Sorensen bowed out from the role to pursue a career in the army.
Speaking to Holy Soap, Mullally confessed that the recast has led to some changes in the way the character behaves on screen.
He explained: "We are two different people, James is his own person, so naturally how we feel about situations and people aren't going to be the same in every circumstance.
"One of the writers said to me in a meeting the other day that the changeover between James and me can be best described as James playing Declan as very strong, macho. He liked to get into things and was very proactive.
"The new Declan is more grown up, quite mature and savvy. He thinks with his head and knows what he wants and doesn't have to use brute force to get it."
Not sure I can agree with his statement :nono:
Nor me. Old Declan was very mature. We watched him grow up in the soap.
I also don't think he looks similar to the old Declan as was claimed, he is not my type, the other one was :D
I never particularly liked the old Declan, so I prefer the new Declan - personality-wise and looks. I don't think he's a very good actor, though I'm hoping that improves given time. He seems self-conscious at the moment, which is something that will wear off.
For me the new declan is way too different and I know theyve changed the actor but they should have changed the character too quickly as well