Crowe fails to impress australian co-star

Oscar-winner RUSSELL CROWE has failed to impress a former co-star - despite carving out a highly successful career in Hollywood.

The Gladiator actor appeared in long-running Australian soap Neighbours in the late 1980s, but actor Ian Smith, who plays Harold Bishop in the series, insists he isn't impressed with Crowe's acting talent, despite once working alongside the star.

He says, "I never realised the actor he'd become. After Gladiator, I thought he went on to play similar roles. They all do that in Los Angeles.

"Oh God, he'll throw a phone at me now, won't he?" (JC/WNTEX/LR)