Neighbours pays heartbreaking tribute to Ian Smith as actor leaves soap amid terminal cancer diagnosis

Neighbours has issued a statement on the departure of character Harold Bishop following the news that cast member Ian Smith has been diagnosed with terminal cancer

Soap opera Neighbours will give Harold Bishop a "send-off fit for Ramsay Street royalty" following the news that actor Ian Smith has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Ian, 86, shared the news of his diagnosis this week alongside the announcement that he has now left Neighbours again, after reprising his role as Harold in the revived show earlier this year. His final scenes however have yet to be broadcast.

Confirming his departure, a statement shared with fans through the show's social media on Monday morning states: "Harold waves goodbye to Ramsay Street. We're sharing the sad news that [Ian] will soon be stepping away from the beloved role of [Harold]. Ian first played Harold in 1987 and it's been a huge privilege to welcome him back to the show over the years, most recently in the current season."

Executive producer Jason Herbison said: "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. Despite the challenges he 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."

It's also been announced that former cast member Anne Charleston, 81, will reprise her role as Harold's late wife Madge Bishop for "some of his last scenes". Madge died on Neighbours in 2001 but has appeared as an apparition on occasion in the years since the character passed away.

Announcing Anne's return, the statement from Neighbours teased: "We're also thrilled to announce that [Anne] will be joining Ian on set for some of his last scenes. In what context Anne will appear is yet to be revealed, but to have the iconic couple reunited will be one final treat for fans."

Neighbours has promised that Harold - who is one of its long-running characters - will have a "send-off fit for Ramsay Street royalty". It concluded: "Erinsborough won't quite be the same again, but rest assured that Harold is set to have a send-off fit for Ramsay Street royalty."

The post on social media was met with reacted from fans, who shared their sadness over Ian's departure in the comments section. Among them was Jacinta Stapleton - who played Amy Greenwood - who wrote: "Awwww Smithy!"

Ian shared the news of his lung cancer diagnosis with 10 News First recently. He said: "I found out a few months back that I have cancer. That I have a very aggressive non-fixable cancer and they expect me to ... they expect me to die."

The outlet adds that he shared the diagnosis with his colleagues ahead of leaving the show. Reflecting on his departure, he said in the interview released this week: "It isn't just my last day at Neighbours - it's my last day of work."

Ian made his debut on Neighbours in 1987 and initially appeared until 1991, before returning as a regular cast member from 1996 to 2009. He's made several guest appearances since then, including having featured in the "finale" back in 2022, which was thought to be the end of the soap opera.

The show was subsequently revived by Amazon Freevee though, returning last year. Earlier this year though, it was announced that Ian would be reprising his role as Harold, who would be moving back to the fictional suburb Erinsborough. Harold's on-screen return was broadcast the following month.

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