Neighbours’ Harold Bishop actor Ian Smith reveals shock health update after quitting soap amid terminal cancer diagnosis
NEIGHBOURS star Ian Smith has given a shock health update after quitting the soap following a terminal cancer diagnosis.
The 86-year-old actor, who plays lovable Harold Bishop, stepped down from the show last month to undergo life-extending treatment.
Now he’s been given a huge boost after doctors initially told him he could be dead by March.
He told TV Week: “I did a PET scan and the words, I believe, were ‘significant metabolic change, significant shrinkage of tumour‘.
“I’ve gone from a threat of dying this coming March to maybe a few more months… and now, who knows?
“It’s not a cure and it won’t be a cure, but I certainly have got a year, maybe two. That’s amazing. It really is.”
Ian has played the role of Harold Bishop on and off since 1987 and is one of the programme’s most recognisable faces.
He first left the soap in 1991 but returned in 1996, staying a further 13 years.
Ian then departed his role once again in 2009 before coming back in 2011 and 2015.
The Harold Bishop actor then made a triumphant and permanent return to the soap in 2022 after rejoining as a series regular.
Speaking on Australian morning television, Ian revealed he was diagnosed a few months ago.
“I found out a few months back that I have cancer,” he told Ten News.
It was described to him as “very aggressive non-fixable cancer”, he said.
He added: “And they expect me to … they expect me to die.”
Despite his diagnosis and prognosis, Ian will continue to appear on-screen in the early part of this year with an official final episode date yet to be revealed.
When Ian’s character does depart the soap, he will be given quite the send-off, it has been hinted.
Jason Herbison, the Executive Producer of the soap, said it was a “very emotional moment on set as we paid tribute to him and the incredible contribution he has made to the show”.
The producer added that Ian and his character are “loved” by both the show and the public.
A Network 10 spokesperson said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened to hear of Ian Smith’s cancer diagnosis.
“A cherished member of the Neighbours family, Ian has been the heart and soul of the show since he first arrived on Ramsay Street in 1987.
“Ian has brought joy, laughter and inspiration to audiences all around the world for decades.
“Along with the cast and crew and all his fans from around the world, we will support Ian in any way we can during this difficult time.”
Neighbours stars who made it big
The long-running Aussie soap has launched the careers of some of Hollywood's biggest stars. Here are some of the Neighbours alums who went on to make it big after starring on the soap...
Kylie Minogue
- Before she hit the big time with her music career, Kylie shot to fame playing Charlene Mitchell on Neighbours. Shortly after her arrival, Kylie began an on and off-screen romance with co-star Jason Donovan, who played Scott Robinson, which gained the couple an army of adoring fans.
Jason Donovan
- After his stint as Scott, singer and actor Jason became an international popstar and had his pick acting of roles. He moved to the U.K., married, had children and has since starred in over a dozen West End show, most notably Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Alan Dale
- New Zealand born actor Alan was one of Neighbours 12 original cast members having made his debut as Jim Robinson on the soap’s first episode on 18 March 1985. As the head of the Robinson clan, widower Jim lived at Number 26 Ramsay Street with his children Paul, Julie, Scott and Lucy, and was a real anchor in the community. He stayed with the show for eight years, before his character was killed off in dramatic scenes aired in 1993 but which still reverberate through the soap to this day.
Margot Robbie
- Way before she was Barbie or Harley Quinn, Margot was best known as Ramsay Street resident Donna Freedman. Her notable storylines included her marriage to Ringo Brown and becoming a young widow following his tragic death. After three years she bid farewell to the soap and Australia with a plan to make a name for herself in Hollywood which she did when she bagged the role of Naomi Lapaglia opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street.
Jesse Spencer
- Jesse rocked up on Ramsay street in 1994 with the rest of the Kennedy clan. He stayed for five years, literally growing up in front of the camera, but in 2000 felt it was time to spread his wings and head for Hollywood. It was certainly a smart move as he went on to bag leading roles in popular shows like House and Chicago Fire.
Russell Crowe
- New Zealand-native Russell had a brief arc on Neighbours, appearing in four episodes of the soap 1987 as Kenny Larkin, the former cellmate of Street resident Henry Ramsay. The role obviously got him noticed though because he quickly went on to become a fully-fledged Hollywood A-lister, winning the Best Actor Oscar for his standout performance as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator.