'Neighbours' bosses hit back at Kylie

Neighbours bosses have hit back at Kylie Minogue, claiming it was she who declined their offer to appear in the 20th anniversary episode.

It was first reported last month that Kylie would have been more than willing to film a cameo appearance as Charlene Mitchell for the celebratory episode while on tour in the UK, but producers were said to have rejected her offer.

It has now emerged that this was not the case. In a statement issued by Australian television production company Grundy TV, the producers of the soap claim to have "made every effort to accommodate Kylie" in their anniversary celebrations.

The programme makers approached Kylie's management company as early as November last year, offering her the chance to "shoot a cameo appearance anywhere in the world at any time... The offer was declined."

There were also reports suggesting that actor Russell Crowe had been in negotiations with Grundy. Grundy, however, dismissed these claims in the statement, saying: "An approach was never made."