Teen singing sensation Delta Goodrem is returning to long-running Australian soap opera NEIGHBOURS - nine months after leaving the show to battle cancer.

The BORN TO TRY hitmaker, 19, took a break from the 18-year-old show to fight Hodgkin's Disease last July (03) and is gearing up to finish her contract as schoolgirl NINA TUCKER.

A Neighbours insiders says, "We never thought we'd see her back. Her illness stunned us all and her vastly improved health now thrills us.

"We can't wait for the days she's back on the set. This is where it all started for her."

After she finishes her contract, Goodrem will make her big screen debut in HATING ALISON ASHLEY and launch her debut album INNOCENT EYES in America.

16/03/2004 02:35