Valentine advises 'Neighbours' replacement

Neighbours star Kym Valentine offered advice to her temporary replacement Michala Banas before the actress started work on the show last week.

Valentine is taking a one-month break from the Aussie soap while she recovers from her recent health problems. She was struck down with pneumonia and suffered a collapsed lung while on a flight from New York to Melbourne in July.

As revealed earlier this month, producers have recruited McLeod's Daughters star Banas to step into Valentine's role as Libby Kennedy.

According to TV Week, the pair swapped notes and watched old episodes of the soap together before Banas filmed her first scenes.

Banas told the magazine: "She just kept saying, 'I'm so glad it's you', which was such a sweet thing. She just needs to recuperate properly. I think four weeks away is going to do her the world of good."

Speaking about accepting the role, she added: "It was totally last minute. It's such a strange situation, but I thought, 'I'm happy to help out.' I just went with my gut. She's a much-loved character and Kym does such a wonderful job with her. I just want to keep Libby where she needs to be. I feel that I'm minding her until Kym comes back."