British viewers given chance to star in Aussie soap

Australian soap opera "Neighbours", consistently more popular in Britain than in its homeland, is giving UK viewers the chance to audition for a cameo role, broadcaster Five said Monday.

The show, which launched the careers of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan and Guy Pearce, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and is offering female British fans the chance to appear as a character for a month in the serial.

Aspiring actresses can download the audition script and then upload their audition tapes on to video-sharing website YouTube.

A panel will pick the top five, with the top two decided by public vote. They will fly to Melbourne, where the show is filmed, before producers make the final decision.

"Neighbours is loved and watched by millions in the UK," Five's channel controller Richard Woolfe said.

"I'm thrilled we have the opportunity to find a brand new star and hand them the international stage Neighbours provides."