The gorgeous young actors who have rapidly built a huge following around the nation, met when they auditioned for the top-rating drama. Christie was 13 at the time and won the role of the feisty Kirsty Sutherland - while Kate, who is eight months older landed the part of Kirsty's quieter more demure sister Jade.

The girls hit it off immediately. " That was in December 1999 ", Christie says. " We've known each other for a while now and we're the best of friends ". " We were thrown together as sisters and that obviously helps but we just became instant mates ", Kate adds.

" It's great having a best friend there who knows what you're going through ". Christie and Kate spend plenty of time together when they're not filming. They even enjoy double-dating with their respective boyfriends. " We all know each other so we go out in a group ", Kate reveals. There has been plenty of conflict between the Sutherland twins in Home and Away but those on-screen battles have never carried over into real life.

" In one scene, Kate had to push me on the ground and punch me ", Christie recalls. " She would never, ever hit me for real but it's cool once in a while to be able to yell at each other and pretend!" Christie spent a year living with Kate and her family while her own family relocated from the north-western NSW town of Mungindi to Sydney, where Home and Away is produced.

" That was so much fun ", Kate says. " It was like a constant slumber party! We never get sick of each other ". She and Christie share many interests. For starters, they're both self-confessed " shopaholics " who enjoy nothing more on their days off than hitting Sydney's trendy boutiques. " We're mad shoppers! " Kate says, giggling. Do the girls share the same taste in fashion?

" Kate is more courageous with her style than I am ", Christie admits. " I'm a jeans sort of girl but Kate has the chunky high heels and funky shirts happening. I can't pull it off like she can ". Whatever happens career-wise, they will always remain the best of friends. " Christie and I have this awesome connection ", Kate smiles. " She's like a real sister to me ". " Definitely ", Christei adds. " If acting ended tomorrow, we'd still be friends for the rest of our lives. I feel very blessed to have found Kate ".