You Asked Matt Werkmeister & Snippets - Spoilers

You Asked... Matt Werkmeister

The Neighbours star answers your questions

What inspired you to start acting?
Kirsten
I started dancing when I was five and did that for about five years. Then I started doing amateur theatre and a bit of singing and I really enjoyed it, so I decided to keep at it. One thing led to another and I got an agent and did The Full Monty theatre show - I didn't have to get my gear off, though, thank God! Next thing I auditioned for Neighbours and that's where I've been since.

How do you juggle acting, school and your social life?
Bianca
I work during the day and try to catch up on homework as much as I can at night. I don't go to school anymore - I have a tutor. On the weekend, I catch up with friends and have a good time.

How similar are you to your character Zeke?
Emma
We look alike! Zeke's a bit more serious and a lot smarter. I muck around all day and laugh things off, but there's a little Zeke in me and he has a bit of Matt every now and then.

How does it feel knowing you'll be the last member left from the Kinski family? And what would you like to see happen to your character?
Jasmine
It's bizarre because I started off with Caitlin Stasey (Rachel) and Dichen Lachman (Katya) and they've left, so it's a bit sad being the last Kinski. I'd like to see my character enjoy himself a bit more - he's a bit grumpy and angsty. It's time for him to have some fun.

What's been your favourite Neighbours storyline so far?
Rebekah
We've just finished filming a storyline about Zeke coming of age and becoming a man. That was really nice and a bit different. There's lots of cool stuff with Taylah (played by Danielle Horvat) - that was lots of fun.

How did you feel before filming your first on-screen kiss?
Jodi
My first on-screen kiss was with Sianoa Smit-McPhee (Bree). I was very embarrassed and nervous and didn't know what to do. It was kind of bizarre. She was also nervous as it was her first on-screen kiss as well, but we rehearsed it with our drama coach and it was OK.

Do you have a girlfriend at the moment?
Debbie
Yes, I do. My girlfriend, Lauren, is really sweet. She keeps my head from getting too big! I love hanging out with her on weekends, just spending time together and concentrating on something other than work! She's a really cool girl.

Page 102

Industry Buzz & Hot Aussie Goss

-Former Big Brother intruder Heath Tournier has landed a guest role in Neighbours playing a plumber on the construction site where Ty works.

-Former Neighbours star Blair McDonough and ex-McLeod's actress Jessica Napier will appear as a married couple when Sea Patrol returns next year. They'll play the owners of a successful dive business, but is there more to their glamorous lifestyles than there seems?

-I'm happy to put paid to one rumour that was doing the rounds last week. I'd heard from a very good source that James Sorensen, who plays Declan on Neighbours, had decided to ditch acting and was leaving the show. Luckily for fans, it seems James had a change of heart and plans to stick around on Ramsay Street.

-Meanwhile, fellow Neighbour Sam Clark reveals that he's using the Christmas break to work on his side project: an album! Sam says he's hoping to have some music out soon and that a record deal is looking promising. Stay tuned.

Page 12 & 14

Everybody's talking about...

Carmella's sad exit

Since arrving on Ramsay Street, Carmella has provided plenty of entertainment. Whether she was romancing Erinsborough's most eligible bachelors, running off and becoming a nun or learning how to become a young mum, she always managed to get the street - and Neighbours fans - talking. Now she's off to rejoin her baby's daddy overseas, but we're glad the door has been left open for a return should Natalie wish to reprise the hugely popular part.

Page 14

Letters Page

Farewell Caitlin
I'm so sad to hear that Caitlin Stasey is leaving Neighbours. She was one of the few cast members who actually replied to my letters. Her character, Rachel, added some sugar and spice to the show, which I'm going to miss. Good luck, Caitlin!
Joely

Page 51

Hot Plots & Snippets - Spoilers

Hot Plots Nov 24-28, 2008

Monday 24th Nov
Dan and Libby are shocked when an uninvited guest turns up at their bucks' and hens' night! Ty's devastated when Tanya dumps him from the band because of his apparent substance-abuse issues.

Tuesday 25th Nov
Dan's ex-wife Sam is back, and she has a secret! Karl's upset to hear that Harold still hasn't told anyone about his condition. Sparks fly again between Toadie and Kelly.

Wednesday 26th Nov
Unable to come to terms with Sam's revelation, Libby calls off the wedding. But she's not prepared for Ben's reaction. Zeke is devastated when he finds out what's wrong with Harold, and starts taking risks of his own.

Thursday 27th Nov
Zeke hangs out with the wrong crowd and puts himself in danger when he joins his new mate at an abandoned power station. Lou is next to find out about his best friend Harold's tragic cancer diagnosis.

Friday 28th Nov
Feeling overwhelmed, Bridget decides to run away - and Harold has also decided to take time out. Carmella receives a surprise offer from Oliver. Andrew asks Rebecca out on a date - much to Miranda's fury!

Next week...
Who leaves Erinsborough?

Page 52

Industry Buzz

- Caitlin Stasey, who plays Rachel, has filmed her final scenes in Neighbours. The Ramsay Street favourite has quit the soap in order to concentrate on her studies full-time. While we can't reveal how Rachel leaves, Dean Geyer tells TV WEEK that his character Ty is "devastated". Caitlin's last episode will air next year.

- After their much-publicised marriage troubles, Jason Harvey and Kimberley Davies have announced that they're expecting their third child. The new arrival will join Isabella, five, and Joshua, three.

Page 22-23

Christmas Spirit - Spoilers

Christmas Spirit

The festive season delivers bittersweet tidings to the Ramsay Street crowd

Like most of us, the folk from Ramsay Street love the holiday season. And this year, they decide to go all out by decorating their homes with a spectacular array of Christmas lights. While Toadie wastes no time getting into the holiday mood, when the lights are switched on for the first time, it's Harold who gets the loudest applause for the display at his house. Most of the neighbourhood don't know, however, that Harold is struggling to come to terms with a devastating diagnosis - he has cancer and urgently needs treatment. When Lou discovers what his best mate is going through, he urges him to fight the disease, saying: "There's a lot of life left in you, old son". An upset Susan, however, is stuck for words as she gives Harold a warm hug.

Meanwhile, over at Charlie's Bar, Rebecca finds it difficult to resist the charms of hunky school principal Andrew. Does this mean Paul is finally out of the single mum's life?

TV WEEK Nov 22-28, 2008
By Jackie Brygel
Page 2-3

Returnee Spoilers

Sam's shock return

Dan's ex-wife is back and she has one thing in mind - stopping his marriage to Libby

Counting down the days to their wedding, Libby and Dan feel that after a tumultuous courtship, everything is finally falling into place for them. But the lovebirds are about to face their biggest hurdle yet. The pair are enjoying themselves with friends and family at a combined hens' and bucks' night when an unexpected guest arrives - Dan's troubled ex-wife Sam (Simone Buchanan)! As Simone reveals to TV WEEK, Sam is ready to drop a bombshell that will put Libby and Dan's fairytale wedding in doubt, yet again. So, what's her shocking secret?

Did you always know you'd be returning to Neighbours?
I knew it was being kept open, depending on how the story went and what they wanted to do with Dan and Libby. They rang me a couple of months after I'd finished up the last time and said, "Would you come back?" and I said, "Yes! Of course I would!" They've written some really interesting stuff, so it's been great to return for that.

So what happens when Sam returns to Ramsay Street?
Sam comes back with a secret that will change Dan and Libby's lives.

Her timing could hardly be worse.
No! In classic soap style, she arrives on the eve of the wedding.

Is Sam aware that Libby and Dan are getting married?
Oh yes! She knows exactly what's going on and that she only has a small amount of time to get back in there.

How do Libby and Dan react when Sam appears?
Let's just say she's not welcome in Erinsborough! Everyone is so thrilled for Libby. After all she's been through, Libby's happy and finally has her man. Now, when they see Sam, they all just go, "Oh no - this can only mean trouble! Get back in that cab and go home!" It's a very uncomfortable situation for everyone.

Sam hasn't always been the most likeable character. What reaction have you had from fans?
It's been an interesting mix. There have been people who are so into Dan and Libby that they've felt Sam is just a nuisance. And then there have also been those who have sympathy for Sam. They've wanted to see her get well again and find happiness with the man who was once her husband. I think we all wanted to make sure that Sam was not that unlikeable - that there was a vulnerability to her, and she was being treated for bipolar disorder. It's not black and white with her.

Michala's filling in for Kym Valentine at the moment. What's it been like working with a new Libby?
It's been really interesting. I'd just done six months with Kym and that was the dynamic we were used to. Then I came back and was working with Michala, but I knew her already because we'd worked together on McLeod's Daughters and we get on very, very well. She's such a great girl, so it's been really lovely - just different because she's got a different face!

Will we see another side to Sam this time around?
Absolutely. Her bipolar disorder is in check now - she's on the medication and is well again. Her agenda is simply that she wants her ex-husband back. That's her absolute focus now, and she doesn't care who she has to tread on to get what she wants!

Michala settles in

While Kym Valentine has now recovered from the bout of pneumonia and collapsed lung that forced her to suddenly take time out from Neighbours, we'll see her stand-in, Michala Banas, portraying Libby on our screens for the rest of the year. And Michala says the storyline involving Sam's return is one that viewers won't want to miss. "At first, it's all happy campers at Libby and Dan's hens' and bucks' night," she says. "Then Sam arrives. She's the last person Libby's expecting to see. It's a huge shock - she's just gutted. Immediately, Libby knows that Sam has returned to get Dan back - and she has a secret as well. It stirs up so many issues and will also put the wedding in jeopardy," Michala says.

TV WEEK Nov 22-28, 2008
By Jackie Brygel
Page 20-21

Spoilers. December 1st - 5th

Monday 1st December - Episode 5596
Travelling to a favourite place from her childhood, Bridget befriends a group of backpackers. In an attempt to deny the reality of her pregnancy she invents a new life-story and lives the dream of being a carefree traveller. But reality intrudes when the backpackers steal her wallet and bag, leaving her stranded and alone.

Tuesday 2nd December - Episode 5597
Libby is angry with Dan for missing their holiday, and believes Sam deliberately manipulated the situation. Dan defends Sam, but Lucas suspects Sam's motives for returning aren't as pure as she claims. Lucas confesses to Dan that he told Sam about his and Libby's wedding plans. Dan confronts Sam and patches things up with Libby. Sam is surprised when Libby joins her and Dan for her ultrasound. Struggling with the stress Libby's presence is causing her, Sam gives Dan an impossible choice.

Wednesday 3rd December - Episode 5598
Carmella makes an excuse not to leave Erinsborough but her friends help her over every hurdle that might stop her from being with Oliver. Ramsay Street residents gather at the general store to farewell Carmella and Chloe and wish them well for their new life.

Thursday 4th December - Episode 5599
Harold wakes from his surgery to learn more bad news: the cancer has spread to his lymph nodes and the doctors recommended chemotherapy. To Lou and Susan's dismay, Harold asks for him to think about it, indicating that he would rather focus on the quality of his remaining days than the quantity. It is only when cancer survivor Steph urges him to make his decisions based on what he truly wants, rather than fear of the consequences, that he changes his mind. He asks Karl to book him in for further treatment.

Friday 5th December - Episode 5600
Hurt Mickey lashes out when Callum tells him Santa isn't real. Steve and Miranda share with Toadie and Kelly the news of Cal's lost faith and Toadie sets out to get to the bottom of it. When Toadie learns that Callum's never had a magical Christmas he becomes determined to prove to Callum that Christmas and Santa are real and something to be celebrated.