Beloved Aussie actor Ian Smith, famous for his role as Harold Bishop on Neighbours, has been diagnosed with a “non-fixable” illness. The 85-year-old revealed on Monday that he is battling a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer. Despite the devastating news, Smith remains optimistic and is undergoing immunotherapy to prolong his life.
Smith, who joined the iconic soap in 1987, has been an integral part of Neighbours for over three decades. His final scenes on the show are set to air in April 2025. Executive Producer Jason Herbison described Smith as “acting royalty” and the show plans to pay tribute to him with a special reunion episode alongside co-star Anne Charleston.
This isn’t the first health battle for Smith. In the past, he has overcome prostate cancer and a stroke. The news of his diagnosis has deeply saddened Network 10, the network behind Neighbours. A spokesperson expressed their support for Smith, acknowledging his immense contributions to the show and vowing to stand by him during this difficult time.
