Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis takes on surprise new role

Neighbours super villain Stefan Dennis has signed up for a new series after the filming of the iconic soapie’s final episode.

Neighbours star Stefan Dennis has signed for the new series of British show Strictly Come Dancing.

Dennis, loved by fans for his role as Ramsay Street lothario Paul Robinson, will take to the dancefloor in the hit BBC show later this year, The Sun reports.

The series pairs celebrities with professional dancers to compete before a panel of judges, with TV viewers casting their votes. 

Neighbours star Stefan Dennis. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The final episode of Neighbours was filmed last week in Melbourne and will air on Amazon Prime in December.

A source told The Sun: “Stefan is a huge character on the soap and is sure to be a hit with Strictly fans. BBC bosses are confident Stefan will bring in the ratings.

“He has made no secret of the fact that he would love to star on Strictly and will put his all into the training.”

Dennis, 66, the only current cast member to have appeared in the first episode of Neighbours in 1985, is one of TV’s most enduring villains.

Stefan Dennis with wife Gail Dennis in Melbourne earlier this year. Picture: Supplied/Instagram

“I never thought a single show would give me the greatest adventures of my career, spanning 40 years,” he said last week.

“Without Neighbours I would not have met the people, been to the places and lived the experiences of a lifetime. Thank you all.”

Despite the final episode being filmed, Neighbours bosses are still hopeful of a “future chapter” for the soap.

Executive producer Jason Herbison said: “Neighbours is a special show and it’s been a privilege to make the recent seasons for our loyal viewers around the world.

“We have added 460 episodes to our legacy of over 9000 episodes, something we all feel proud of.

“Once again, we will be resting the residents of Ramsay Street on a hopeful note, with some tantalising possibilities for a future chapter.”

Originally published as Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis takes on surprise new role