Harold’s final goodbye: Neighbours loses iconic character amid real-life cancer battle – as fans pay tribute to legendary actor Ian Smith
Neighbours lost one of its most iconic characters this week after legendary actor Ian Smith appeared in his final episode as Harold Bishop, amid his real-life cancer battle.
The veteran Aussie actor, 86, appeared in his last episode of the long-running series on Monday night, in a tear-jerking scene as he bid farewell to his beloved Ramsay Street friends.
‘Interesting is one word for it, privileged I think is better. I ended up making the best possible friends a man could ever have… this has been more than a street to me,’ Harold told a full house.
‘You’ve been more than Neighbours. My life has been enriched by every one of you. You are always in my heart. Always.’
The episode saw Harold make the difficult decision to leave Erinsborough for good and move to Port Douglas in Queensland to be with his granddaughter.
Heartbroken fans took to social media to share their sadness over Harold’s departure.
Neighbours lost one of its most iconic characters this week after legendary actor Ian Smith appeared in his final episode as Harold Bishop, amid a real-life cancer battle
The veteran Aussie actor appeared in his last episode of the long-series on Monday night, in a tear-jerking scene as he bid farewell to his beloved Ramsay Street friends
‘Harold… Ian Smith… the legend. Feels like losing a member of my household seeing you go. It’s been a wonderful 40 years. I wish you much happiness and love,’ one person wrote.
‘Harold’s goodbye was perfect. It made me cry. The characters on Neighbours become like family,’ a second added.
‘Ohhhhh Harold!! What a treasure. An absolute pleasure over all these years watching you,’ a third person chipped in.
The character’s exit coincides with actor Ian Smith providing a remarkable health update, revealing he’s feeling better than ever – despite being diagnosed with terminal cancer just months ago.
The actor, who first appeared as Harold in 1987, was told late last year he had just weeks to live.
But in a miraculous turn of events, the 86-year-old says he feels like he’s been ‘reborn’ following a ground-breaking immunotherapy treatment.
‘I was supposed to die in March. I didn’t. So I’m here to talk about me dying last month,’ Smith said in an emotional interview on The Project.
‘I know I’ve got cancer because doctors keep telling me I have. That’s the only way I know. I’ve got no pain – none of that.’
The actor, who first appeared as Harold in 1987, was told late last year he had just weeks to live. But in a miraculous turn of events, the 86-year-old says he feels like he’s been ‘reborn’ following a ground-breaking immunotherapy treatment
Smith was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer called pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, which doctors initially told him was ‘non-fixable’.
But after being put on a revolutionary treatment plan – which he cheekily described as being a ‘guinea pig’ for – he’s defied expectations and is now hoping for ‘a year, maybe two’ of extra life.
‘I want to go forever,’ he said, beaming.
‘I don’t want to play Harold anymore, but I don’t want to stop acting.’
And while Harold may have officially bid farewell to Ramsay Street this week, Smith’s final scenes had viewers across the country in tears – with his character announcing he was moving to Queensland, in a sentimental send-off that featured a heart-warming flashback montage of fan favourites.
Smith admitted filming those last episodes was deeply emotional, especially surrounded by his co-stars – who he described as nothing short of ‘family’.
‘I love them all dearly,’ he said.
The veteran performer first stepped into Harold’s shoes in 1987 and went on to become one of Neighbours’ most iconic faces.
He was known for his wholesome charm, slow-burning romances, and multiple disappearances – including being presumed dead after falling off a cliff in 1991 – only to return five years later with amnesia.
