Neighbours reunion

Famous faces from the past are set to return to mark the show's 20th birthday.

15:46 23 February 2005

Aussie soap Neighbours turns 20 this year and the show's producers are trying to sign up as many old stars as possible to mark the occasion.

Neighbours has launched many a career with Hollywood stars such as Guy Pearce and pop icons like Kylie Minogue all starting out in the humble surroundings of Ramsay Street.

Unfortunately some of the best known former stars won't be making a comeback - including Guy Pearce and Kylie Minogue.

Singer Natalie Imbruglia and stage actor Jason Donovan have also turned down offers to make cameo appearances in July.

But Mark Little, who played Joe Mangel, and Kimberley Davies, who played Annalise Hartman, will be coming back for special episodes.

Neighbours has been part of the BBC schedule for nearly two decades but today the Beeb had to deny reports that it was planning to ditch the show.

A spokesman said there was no substance to rumours that ITV was preparing to take over the show.