Neighbours airs The OC Easter egg in Mischa Barton scene - but did you spot it?

Did you notice the subtle nod to a co-star?

Neighbours fans spotted a cheeky tribute to The OC today (Thursday 26) in a scene featuring star Mischa Barton.

The actor joined the Australian soap when it made its triumphant return to Amazon Prime Freevee as the mysterious Reece Sinclair.

Viewers have been captivated by her intentions, with Paul Robinson believing she had rocked up to Ramsay Street to spy on him and the hotel, in which her father is an investor. As it turns out, her reasoning for arriving in Erinsborough is entirely personal as she is hunting down her sister, who was previously a guest at Lassiters.

In today's episode of the soap, as Reece's investigation continued, a nod to The OC was spotted with Barton famously starring as Marissa Cooper in the hit teen drama.

Reece and Byron Stone looked through Paul's computer in the scene, with Reece briefly picking up a photo of Paul's late father Jim Robinson.

Jim was played by Alan Dale, who just so happened to be Mischa's on-screen stepfather in The OC.

It was a detail that didn't go unnoticed by fans of the show, who were quick to take to social media to share their delight over the clever easter egg.

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"Lovely nod to Alan Dale and Mischa Barton's old OC days there! Reece will be asking for a Jim Robinson bauble next," one person wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Another added: "That was a superb episode! Lovely nod to Jim/Alan/OC. Neighbours nice off the hook for a bit for Mike as well."

Barton spoke about the sister twist for Reece in an interview with Inside Soap magazine, also touching on whether her reasoning for journeying to Erinsborough was strictly business or a spot of pleasure.

"A bit of both," she told the publication. "She's never really had a chance to take a break from work and get away from her family; she's never had a chance to live a normal life and not be under her father's strict guidance."

Neighbours releases new episodes from Mondays to Thursdays for free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and US. In Australia, the show airs from Mondays to Thursdays at 4pm on Channel 10, with a 6.30pm repeat screening on 10 Peach.