'Kylie will never get rid of Charlene'

Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan during wedding scene for their characters on TV soap show 'Neighbours'. Picture: AFP Source: news.com.au

Stefan Dennis, pictured in 2004. Picture: Supplied Source: news.com.au

NEIGHBOURS veteran Stefan Dennis says he used to get angry when former star Kylie Minogue snubbed the soap that made her famous.

Stefan, who plays Paul Robinson, said Kylie, who played his sister-in-law Charlene, would distance herself from the show when she left in 1989.

He told Confidential: "I can understand why, because she was trying to forge a career in a new direction.

"But she will never get rid of Charlene from Neighbours. I'm sorry to say, Kylie. You will never get rid of that.

"I used to get a little bit angry with her, because she would not be where she is today if it weren't for her start on this show.

"It's a bit of give and take. Don't ever bite the hand that feeds.''

But he added: "Bless Kylie because she turned around (her snub) now. I would never say anything bad about Kylie because I love her dearly.''

His comments came as producers, FremantleMedia Australia, yesterday revealed a million dollar renovation in the Neighbours hood, Ramsay St, including backyards, swimming pools, spas and entertainment zones.

FremantleMedia Asia Pacific CEO, Ian Hogg said: "It goes back to Neighbours cores which is backyards, families, the great Australian Dream, and it allows us to tell a lot more stories through that prism.''

Mr Hog! g said research showed Neighbours is a family program that needs to be outdoors.

He said British audiences see summer fun Down Under as aspirational - especially during their winter.

Stefan joined Neighbours in 1985.

He has encountered the occasional soap opera snob along the way.

"True thespians used to tell me: 'Bless you, one day you'll get a real acting job, young man.'

"Now, those same actors, and their counterparts would crawl over broken glass to be on Neighbours, because it has crediblity and respect.''