Neighbours icon Ian Smith has exited the soap, after announcing that he has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The star, known to soap fans for playing the role of Harold Bishop since 1987, has a rare form of lung cancer called pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma.
It’s a “very aggressive, non-fixable” cancer, Smith told 10 News First.
“They expect me to die,” he continued, explaining he underwent three rounds of treatment, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy.
“I’ve really put my hand up just to be a guinea pig, I think, plus the fact that I don’t want to die.”
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Smith has recently filmed his final scenes on Neighbours, with the Ramsay Street gang coming together to throw their support behind him.
“It isn’t just my last day in Neighbours, it’s my last day of work,” Smith said.
“I’ve had the most privileged life,” he told his co-stars as emotions ran high.
“We didn’t just make soap, we made the best bloody soap there was to make. And I’ve met the most beautiful people.”
Speaking about his castmates’ love, Smith seemed taken aback and said: “It knocked me out a bit, honestly.”
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The actor also reflected on losing loved ones to cancer – including his wife of five decades Gail, who passed away in December 2019.
“She was the most wonderful, beautiful person,” Smith said of Gail.
After being on the soap for the past 37 years, Harold is getting a proper Erinsborough sendoff, according to Neighbours executive producer Jason Herbison.
“The way the residents of Ramsay Street feel about Harold is how we all feel about Ian – we couldn’t love him more than we do,” Herbison said (via TV Tonight).
“Despite the challenges he (Smith) was facing with his health, he wanted to give Harold a proper send-off.
“It was a very emotional moment on set as we paid tribute to him and the incredible contribution he has made to the show.”
Harold’s Neighbours exit story includes a familiar face – with Anne Charleston, who played his wife Madge Bishop, returning to the soap as a new character.
If you would like more information or support about living with cancer or treatment, please click here for guidance from Macmillan Cancer Support, or click here to learn more from Stand Up to Cancer.
