Neighbours racist row erupts as Indian family moves into all white Ramsay Street – and viewers complain

A nasty race row has broken out over an Indian family becoming residents into Australia's long-running TV soap Neighbours.

The actor who plays an Indian father in Ramsay Street has hit out at fans who say it is 'un-Australian' to cast him, saying they probably supported the 'White Australia' policy.

Melbourne-born of Indian descent, Sachin Joab is part of the long-running TV soap's attempt to tackle perceptions the show is too white and doesn't represent modern Australia.

Row: Menik Gooneratne, left, Coco-Jacinta Chen and Sachin Joab are the Kapoor family on Neighbours. A race row has now broken out in Australia over their inclusion in the popular show

Disgraceful: Neighbours staff have been forced to remove several racist posts from fans who are angry a non-Anglo-Saxon family would become show regulars in Ramsay Street, pictured

Favourites: Madge Bishop (Anne Charleston) and Harold Bishop (Ian Smith) were popular among viewers
Those Aussies who are saying it is un-Australian will be the same ones who pretty much supported the White Australia policy back in the day, you are never going to get away from that kind of stuff.'

Joab said while most Australians were tolerant and respectful, he still faced bouts of racism.

'I faced racism myself, from the early years in primary school all the way up to recent times. Sometimes it's just blatant,' he said.

'I think having a show that shows different families coming together can only be good for the community.'

Neighbours executive producer Susan Bowers explained that the show wanted to represent a 'more modern society.'

Joab will be joined by Menik Gooneratne and Coco-Jacinta Cherian - together they will make up the Kapoor family.

'The ABC and SBS TV have always cast multi-cultural Australians, and it was only 20 years ago you put Greeks and Italians on TV and people would question it,' Ms Bowers said.

'We have been criticised heavily for being too white and you are damned if you do and if you don't, and we would much rather be criticised for moving in this direction.'

Ms Bowers said most of the inappropriate comments came from a 'small minority.'

But one British fan commented: 'I would also like to point out, this same post was put up on Neighbours UK and so far there has been no racist comments. Think a lot could be learnt from us Brits!'

Stars: Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan at the age of 19 in Neighbours