Okay its confessional time! I have been an avid watcher of Neighbours since its first episode - okay who remembers THAT birthday cake and Daphne?

If you have been on the planet Zog and are not aware of the programme, the premise is that this daily australian soap opera (who came up with the name "continuing drama"?) is set in one cul-de-sac - Ramsey Street. Throughout the years the stories have revolved around the six houses on the street and the people who live there. Fact is suspended when you realise that the adults would have to sleep about seven to a bedroom, the amount of rooms each house has - but that is quickly overlooked when you realise that you are rarely shown anything other than the lounge and the kitchen.

Throughout the years there have been a number of stories and the writers are not shy of tackling difficult topics. However there is also a strong moral purpose running throughout the tales and the youngsters, though getting into trouble as many young people do, never vere far from the straight and narrow. Even a recent teenage pregnancy was completed with a quick wedding. Schoolgirls wear incredibly stupid school dresses without complaint and the adults solve marital crises - time after time - just watch the Kennedys.

This is a perennial - it has even survived a move from BBC to Channel 5 - and can be classed as a guilty pleasure. Neighbours has many knockers, ad it can be tempting to jump on that particular bandwagon. However it is also easy watching after a stressful day and kind of keeps you rooted to your past.