A Streetcar Named Neighbours

Neighbours may not be the most cerebral of shows on TV but it does occasionally stretch itself intellectually.

Fans may remember the bizarre dream sequence, a couple of years ago, in which Toadfish, and others, were seen spouting Shakespeare.

Now comes news that the scriptwriters have been paying homage to Tennessee Williams and his classic work A Streetcar Named Desire.

People who are fans of both Neighbours and Tennessee Williams have spotted that the Scullys' aunt, Valda, has dogs called Blanche and Stella, the first names of the sisters in Streetcar. Valda has also been heard spouting lines that are close to those said by Blanche and Stella in the book.

Pure coincidence or something more?

"Oh, definitely something more," says a BBC spokesperson. "One of the Neighbours writers is a huge Tennessee Williams fan."