New 'Neighbours' recruit speaks about role

Former Australian Idol contestant Dean Geyer has spoken about the character he will play on long-running soap Neighbours.

Geyer, who finished in third place on the talent show last year, entered talks with Neighbours in July. He has finally signed on the dotted line and will start filming his role as university drop-out and aspiring singer Ty Harper next week.

"He is pretty similar to me,'' Geyer told Australian newspaper The Sunday Telegraph. "Ty is a confident character but he doesn't like to show a lot of his personal side.''

Dean will perform his own songs on the show, which launched the careers of Kylie Minogue, Natalie Imbruglia and Delta Goodrem. He has admitted that the soap is a "stepping stone" and he hopes to record an album next year, which will be released internationally.

"Anything that is going to take me to another level is good for me," he said. "I am open to the opportunities.''