Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis admitted to missing his family in Australia and said it was "difficult" trying to keep in touch with them while he was in the UK taking part in Strictly Come Dancing just days before he exited the dance competition. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk on Friday, October 17, just three days before he was forced to bow out of the BBC show due to injury, the 66-year-old star confessed the time difference only added to the issue.

"Oh, very much so (I'm missing them). And what compounds it even more is the fact that there's the time difference of 10 hours at the moment, which will soon become 11. So when it's late night for me, it's early in the morning for Gail and the kids, and vice versa. So it's very difficult sometimes to have long conversations. We do manage to do them, but that's sort of hard," he said.

Paul was speaking alongside his pro partner, Dianne Buswell, 36, following a rehearsal for the Charleston they performed on Saturday, October 18. The dance garnered them their highest score to date, an impressive 26 points from the judges.

During the chat, the soap icon, who played villainous Paul Robinson in Neighbours on and off since the first episode 40 years ago, conceded the Strictly experience was "full on" and not what he expected.

"I thought I was going to come over and do a couple of little dances and go home and snuggle up in bed. I had no idea of the capacity of the machine that the juggernaut that rolls on.

"I have to say, it's probably, apart from the actual learning to dance and the training for that, it's overall, it's probably one of the most full-on jobs I've ever had!"

Stefan announced his exit on Monday, October 20, in a statement: "This morning I woke up to the most disappointing day of my Strictly journey.

"I can't tell you how devastated I am to have to leave so prematurely, especially as there has been, and still is, so much love and support from everyone for both Dianne and me.

"I owe both the Strictly Family and Dianne a massive debt of gratitude for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of being able to dance with my wife. (When my leg is better)

"Fun fact for all the avid Neighbours fans... It's the same leg!"