Beloved Neighbours star Ian Smith has announced he has been diagnosed with a “non-fixable” type of lung cancer.
The actor, who has played Harold Bishop on the long-running Australian soap, revealed his diagnosis in an interview on Channel 10, adding that he would be leaving the show.
The 86-year-old first appeared on the show in 1987 as a love interest for Madge Mitchell, played by Anne Charleston, and has had five stints on the program.
He told Channel 10 he had been diagnosed with a form of lung cancer called pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma.
“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,” he said.
“It isn’t just my last day on Neighbours, it’s my last day of work. I’ve had the most privileged life …. we didn’t just make a soap, we made the best bloody soap there was to make. I have met the most beautiful people.”
Smith added that he had received three bouts of immuno-therapy, calling it a relatively new treatment.
“I’ve really put my hand up to be a guinea pig. Plus the fact I don’t want to die and I want to stay alive with quality for as long as I can,” he said.
“I wake up every morning hoping there’s no pain because I know that’s the beginning of the bad part. I’ve seen so many deaths. I’ve seen some good ones and I’ve seen bad ones. I’m hoping I’ll go the nice way.”
Over the years, Smith’s character was weaved in and out of the show’s storyline, staying on for years at a time. He stayed on for 12 years from 1996, making his character one of the longest running on the show.
His most recent appearance came earlier this year, when it was announced he would return as Harold Bishop in May.
“After fifteen years of living away, the legendary Harold Bishop is returning to Erinsborough,” the show announced on its official X account.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ian Smith back to the show and the opening titles, where he belongs.”
Smith reportedly farewelled the show, surrounded by co-stars, with scenes written in to explain his departure.
