Fletcher backs 'Neighbours' star search

Neighbours actor Alan Fletcher has praised the soap's new UK talent search, describing the idea as "marvellous".

Earlier this week, it was announced that the soap's bosses had launched a hunt for a budding star to play new British character Poppy Rogers in a one-month guest role.

Fans will see Fletcher's character Karl Kennedy and wife Susan (Jackie Woodburne) welcome the new arrival into their Ramsay Street home later this year. Poppy is a friend of the couple's eldest son Malcolm.

Speaking to Holy Soap about the contest, Fletcher commented: "I think it's a marvellous idea. We've already tested the waters with this in Australia, with the Dolly magazine competition.

"Out of that came one of our most favoured actors of all time - young Sam Clark, who plays Ringo Brown. It's extraordinary how these sorts of competitions bring to the surface immense talent and we have enormous confidence it's going to hopefully discover a star in the UK."

Fans who hope to play Poppy are being invited to download an audition script from the website of Neighbours' British broadcaster Five. They must then upload their try-outs on to YouTube.