"Singing is such a cool experience because you can really touch people with songs and music."

Natalie Imbruglia has had international success

Her manager Todd Wagstaff told Australia's Herald Sun newspaper: "Holly is the number one priority of Warner Records internationally in terms of new artists across Europe.

"She's a priority act not because she's in Neighbours, but because she's a talented artist."

She has also recently appeared on a catwalk show in Melbourne alongside Naomi Campbell.

Smith has been in Home and Away since 1998.

She was nominated for one of Australian TV's top awards a year later for most popular new talent.

Her manager Amber Petty said her music will be bubblegum pop but aimed at an older audience.

Success

She said: "We don't want to sell it on the sex side of things. That's not appropriate just yet."

Australian soap stars have had mixed fortunes while trying to break the UK market.

Minogue, who first starred in Neighbours, went onto huge international success and is currently riding high in the US charts with Can't Get You Out Of My Head.

Those who beat a path to the pop door included Craig Mclachlan, Stefan Dennis, Jason Donavan, Gillian and Gayle Blakeney and Natalie Imbruglia.

Danni Minogue, Kylie's sister, was on Home and Away, and recently had a top five hit in the UK.

She has also performed on the West End stage in Notre Dame.

Both Neighbours and Home and Away are shown in more than 50 countries around the world.