Ian Smith has stepped down from his role on Neighbours amid a terminal cancer battle.
The soap opera icon, who has played Harold Bishop on the Australian series since 1987, says his prognosis is dire.
‘I found out a few months back that I have cancer’ the 86-year-old told the Ten News on Monday.
‘That I have a very aggressive non-fixable cancer and they expect me to … they expect me to die.’
The Aussie actor, who has played the beloved character on Neighbours since 1987, described the cancer as ‘non-fixable’.
Bishop’s character will be given a fitting send-off from the series, Executive Producer Jason Herbison told the Herald Sun.
Ian Smith (pictured) has stepped down from his role on Neighbours amid a terminal cancer battle
‘It was a very emotional moment on set as we paid tribute to him and the incredible contribution he has made to the show’ he said.
Herbison added that Smith, just like his character, is deeply ‘loved’ by the show and public alike.
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.’
Smith joined the show as Harold Bishop in 1987, before leaving the series in 1991.
The actor returned again in 1996, this time staying in the role for over a decade before again leaving in 2009.
‘I found out a few months back that I have cancer’ the 86-year-old told the Ten News on Monday
‘I have a very aggressive non-fixable cancer and they expect me to … they expect me to die’ he admitted in the emotional interview
He reprised the role in 2011 and again in 2015, before recently returning in 2022 as a series regular.
Smith will continue to appear on screen until April, 2026.
Earlier this year, the performer said that he didn’t initially plan to return to the soap following his departure in 2015 but had become bored with retirement.
‘I made the mistake of thinking I had retired,’ he told The Radio Times in May.
‘I thought I had made enough provisions, but no. I had about four wonderful things to do, but you can’t do the same four things for the rest of your life’ he continued.
‘And so I was getting a bit bored and while I was out fishing one day, the phone rang – it was Neighbours asking me if I would come back.
‘I took all of a tenth of a second then said “yes please!”‘
‘What actor at the age of 85 can experience that beautiful thing of doing something they love, being in a studio, standing in front of a camera and everyone telling them they’re wonderful?
The soap opera icon, who has played Harold Bishop on the Australian series since 1987, says his prognosis is dire. Pictured on the series in his hey day
Pictured alongside Neighbours co-star Anne Charleston who plays his wife Madge Bishop
he Aussie actor, who has played the beloved character on Neighbours since 1987, described the cancer as ‘non-fixable’
‘And I only film one day and week, so it’s lots of lovely bits and bobs.’
Smith was part of the reboot of Neighbours after it was famously axed by Channel Ten in 2022.
It was cancelled as it failed to find a new broadcaster after Channel 5 dropped the long-running soap for its UK audience.
However, just months after a reunion episode was aired that included iconic stars such as Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan, it was announced that the soap would be coming back after a new broadcaster was found.
The new series now airs for free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and US and icludes streaming rights to thousands of episodes from previous seasons.
In Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, it streams on Prime Video.
Cameras began rolling for the revamped soap last year with much of the established cast reprising their roles.
Lauren Anderson, head of AVOD original content and programming, Amazon Studios, recently said: ‘Neighbours has captivated its audience for nearly 40 years, building a dedicated and loyal following for the lives and stories of the characters on Ramsay Street.
Smith joined the show as Harold Bishop in 1987, before leaving the series in 1991. He was back in 1996 and left again in 2009
Smith reprised the role in 2011 and again in 2015, before recently returning in 2022 as a series regular. Pictured with co-star Stefan Dennis who plays Paul Robinson
Smith will continue to appear on screen until April, 2026. Pictured with Anne Charleston
‘With the power of streaming, we’re able to offer a catalogue of thousands of Neighbours episodes for new audiences to discover this legendary series and current fans to relive their favourite moments.
‘We look forward to immersing the audience in new Ramsay Street experiences when we relaunch the show next year for Amazon Freevee and Prime Video customers.’
During his time on Neighbours, Smith’s Harold Bishop has gone through major ups and downs and some truly wild plotlines.
In memorable scenes that stood out among the show’s most dramatic moments, Harold was washed off the rocks by the sea in 1991 while on-screen wife Madge, played by Anne Charleston, screamed for him, and went missing.
Harold returned five years later after Smith was coaxed back to the show by producers – but the character was suffering from amnesia and had no idea what his true identity was.
He eventually recovered his memories and reunited with Madge, only to battle cancer, a heart attack and stroke, all of which he overcame.
Smith left Neighbours again in 2011 to travel with his wife, Gail, but was again lured back for the show’s 30th anniversary.
The actor was reunited with on-screen wife Madge and has since filmed episodes one day a week in the iconic role.
Earlier this year, the performer said that he didn’t initially plan to return to the soap following his departure in 2015 but had become bored with retirement
‘What actor at the age of 85 can experience that beautiful thing of doing something they love, being in a studio, standing in front of a camera and everyone telling them they’re wonderful?’ he told the Radio Times in May
As well as Neighbours, Smith has appeared on another well-loved Aussie soap, Prisoner, as Head of the Corrections Department, Ted Douglas.
He was initially working as a script editor on the series, but famously stepped into the character when the actor fired for the role failed to show up.
His career began in the 1960s with guest spots on shows such as Homicide, Division 4 and Matlock Police.
The actor got his break with major roles in Bellbird and The Box in the 1970s before being convinced to stay in front of the camera after his stint on Prisoner.
Back in 2015, he took part in series 11 of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! Australia.
Smith, who grew up in Melbourne, found out at age 54 that he was adopted when his mother, Connie Smith, shared the revelation upon falling seriously ill.
He later tracked down his birth mother, Peg Kline, who revealed to him that he was the product of a rape she suffered at age 14 before giving him up for adoption.
The two became ‘best friends’ Smith told Australian Story, and stayed close until Kline’s death from cancer in 2005.
Earlier this year, Smith told TV Choice magazine that he has never said goodbye to Harold, and was always tempted back into portraying him again when asked by producers.
‘I found myself with too much time on my hands. I was then asked to come back to the show, and I thought, “Gee, this is kudos”. I was rather happy, I really was! Because – do you know what? I’ve left the show a few times, and I’ve never said goodbye’ he said.
‘I know that sounds mad! I’ve never said goodbye to Harold in a way that would keep me happy. I know what you’re thinking – why should I worry about somebody who doesn’t exist? I know that!’ Smith continued.
‘But you make the mistake of liking your character. It’s a stupid thing to do, but I did. And so, when I leave next time, I shall be very kind to him, and that will be that.’
Smith told TV Choice magazine that he has never said goodbye to Harold, and was always tempted back into portraying him again when asked by producers
