AUSTRALIAN Idol's Dean Geyer is set to become a soap star. After months of speculation, Geyer signed on the dotted line and officially joined the Neighbours cast on Friday.

The talented Melburnian will start filming on Wednesday, playing the role of Ty, who coincidentally is a budding singer.

Geyer has been working with the Neighbours drama coach Mike Bishop for the past four months to develop his acting skills and prepare for the role.

He has also been working with a vocal coach to soften his slight South African accent.

"I am extremely happy," Geyer said. "This is an amazing opportunity and it is a great step forward into the big, scary world of the entertainment industry."

Geyer has been tipped since his appearance in last year's Idol final 12 as a future Neighbours star.

He took his time, however, to commit to the show, wanting to be confident he had the skills required for the role before signing.

"I think it was both myself and Neighbours saying we want to do this the right way," he said.

"No one wanted to throw me into the deep end. It was decided to give me some training and when the time was right put me on the show."

Geyer, signed to Sony/BMG, plans to record a new album next year. No doubt, any singles off it will be promoted through the soap, a course successfully charted by Delta Goodrem.

The popular singer-cum-actor will juggle his Neighbours filming commitments with his national tour supporting The Veronicas next month.

"Neighbours have been very accommodating," he said.

"I had organised to do the tour before I signed with the show.

"They have given me quite a light schedule to begin with. I am going to be able to work around it.

"I just want to get out there and play."

Geyer is dating one of The Veronicas, Lisa Origliasso.

He dismissed rumours that the pair had split up recently, confirming that pop's cutest couple was stronger than ever.

"It is going to be our six-month anniversary on Monday and she is going to be in Melbourne."

HE'S one of the best loved faces on Australian television, but the patriarch of Ramsay St is packing his bags and waving goodbye to his Neighbours colleagues.

After 20 years of playing fuddy-duddy Harold Bishop, veteran actor Ian Smith has decided to scale back his full-time commitment to the soap in a bid to ease into retirement.

While Smith will film his last scenes this month, he won't leave the Neighbours set entirely.

He has agreed to make a number of guest appearances on the show next year.