'Neighbours' chiefs replace Kym Valentine

Neighbours chiefs have brought in a replacement for Kym Valentine while she recovers from her recent health problems.

Valentine, who plays Libby Kennedy on the Aussie soap, was struck down by pneumonia and suffered a collapsed lung while on a flight from New York to Melbourne last month. Although her condition has improved, she is still not well enough to return to work.

In a bid to minimise disruption to scripts, the show's team have recruited actress Michala Banas to take over as Libby from tomorrow. The surprising arrangement, which is expected to last for a month, was finalised by executive producer Susan Bower this week.

Speaking about handing over the role, Valentine told the Sunday Herald Sun: "It is heartbreaking. It is very, very hard to do, but I am trying to be strong about it and do what is best for me.

"I will be back. Don't you worry about that. I am so grateful for Michala. I am just so happy to be handing the role to her."

Banas is best known in Australia for her role in drama series McLeod's Daughters. In a statement, she admitted that taking over from Valentine would be a huge challenge, adding: "I am going to be Libby, but I am not Kym Valentine."

Valentine joined Neighbours in 1994 and stayed with the show for a decade before leaving to tour with the musical Dirty Dancing. She returned to her Erinsborough role in 2007.