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Neighbours' star Kym Valentine sues producers over alleged discrimination

Neighbours star Kym Valentine is reportedly suing the producers of the long-running soap, alleging that they subjected her to sex and disability discrimination.

Valentine, who played Libby Kennedy on and off from 1994 until 2011 has suffered a number of health problems and has not appeared on the show since taking sick leave two years ago.

However, the actress is now seeking compensation for lost wages and "pain, hurt, suffering and humiliation", as well as an acknowledgement that she suffered unlawful discrimination and an apology, The Agereports. It is thought that she also wants to be rehired as Libby.

She argues that production company FremantleMedia Australia, legal director Steven Rosser and former Neighbours producers Susan Bower and Neal Kingston engaged in unlawful discrimination.

Valentine claims that FremantleMedia failed to provide "a working environment that was safe" and that it breached "the relationship of trust and confidence".

In 2008, she contracted pneumonia, then suffered a collapsed lung on a flight from the US to Melbourne.

Bower then forced her to take a one-month break, casting Michala Banas to temporarily play Libby.

Valentine said at the time: "I went into the bathroom and just sobbed myself stupid. Libby is like my partner. She's been with me for 14 years.

"It was like being told your boyfriend was going to be intimate with someone else and you not only had to deal with it, but be happy about it."

A spokesperson for FremantleMedia said: "We don't comment on matters before the courts."

Just a thought. As a lapsed actress, you decide to approach your old employer to try and get your job back after they initially arranged cover for you to help you through a period of illness, and later sent your character off to the boonies somewhere when you weren't up to coming to work any more. Simultaneously taking them to court to win compo for some spurious 'discrimination' (whatever that's supposed to mean) might not be the best way to go about it! Drama queen....she's just dropped 10 rungs in my estimation. Pity.

EXCLUSIVE: Former Neighbours star Kym Valentine, who is pursuing legal action against producers, has filmed a small role in Nine’s upcoming Fat Tony & Co. miniseries.

Valentine will play a housewife on a property at Bonnie Doon, central Victoria. Together with her husband, the woman helped harbour Tony Mokbel prior to his fleeing to Athens.

It appears to be Valentine’s first television role since departing Neighbours in 2011.

Fat Tony & Co. is being produced by Underbelly producers Screentime for Nine in 2014.

The Age has reported Valentine is suing FremantleMedia alleging she was unfairly dumped from her role as Libby Kennedy, but the Federal Court case was adjourned for the sixth time yesterday.

Via Twitter she has said, “It was reported that I’m demanding my job back! Which would be hilarious but pointless. Its not my call, that’s up to all of you x”

“Yep it’s a fact. Once a Kennedy always a Kennedy xxx”

digitalspy.com.au
By Jack Klompus
... The star has now reached a confidential settlement with Fremantle Media, although it is not known if she will reprise her role on Neighbours.

Valentine will next play a housewife in Nine's upcoming Fat Tony & Co miniseries. The show will be aired in 2014.

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