Ian Smith, Beloved 'Neighbours' Star, Announces Terminal Cancer Diagnosis

The 86-year-old actor, known for his iconic role as Harold Bishop, is stepping away from the long-running Australian soap after revealing his battle with a rare and aggressive lung cancer.

Ian Smith, who has played Harold Bishop on 'Neighbours' since 1987, revealed he has pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, a terminal and aggressive form of lung cancer.
Smith, 86, has filmed his final scenes for the show and described his departure as his last day of work after decades in television.
He has undergone three rounds of treatment, including chemotherapy and immunotherapy, and expressed his hope to maintain quality of life for as long as possible.
The show's producers confirmed that Anne Charleston, who played Harold's wife Madge, will return for some of his final scenes, reuniting the beloved couple for fans.
Smith reflected on his life and career, calling it a privilege to have been part of 'Neighbours' and sharing emotional memories of his late wife Gail, who passed away from cancer in 2019.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Australian Broadcasting Corporation