Express Premium Banner Neighbours fans’ emotional tributes for ‘iconic’ soap star who is leaving for final time
With Neighbours due to cease production at the end of 2025, one of it's best loved characters has been given a fitting send-off after almost 40 years on screen
Soap fans have bid a fond farewell to an Australian icon (Image: Getty)
Soap lovers have bid a heartfelt goodbye to one of TV’s most cherished characters, who has left our screens for the fifth and final time.
Ian Smith, star of Neighbours, first graced Erinsborough in January 1987 as the lovable Harold Bishop and has been part of countless significant storylines over the past four decades, many involving his on-screen wife Madge, portrayed by Anne Charleston
Now 86, Ian was tragically diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in December 2024, leading Neighbours’ executive producer, Jason Herbison, to announce that Harold would receive a fitting farewell before the show concludes later this year after production company Fremantle failed to secure a new deal with Amazon.
Audiences may remember Harold leaving Ramsay Street for the first time in 1991, only to return five years later and become one of the longest-serving characters in the series’ history. He exited again in 2009 – under sadly now ironic circumstances – due to a cancer storyline.
However, Ian reprised the role yet again in 2011, with Harold marrying Carolyn Johnstone (played by Paula Duncan), but the comeback was brief. In 2015, he rejoined the cast again though to participate in Neighbours’ 30th-anniversary celebrations – where he reunited with Madge – albeit her ghost.
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Harold went on to make his final bow in Erinsborough in May 2024, returning as a full-time cast member after Amazon Freevee revived the show in the wake of it’s Chanel 5 demise in the UK. His last appearance on our screens was on Monday, April 14, drawing the curtain on Ian’s acting career.
His final scene, which was shared to Facebook, saw Harold surrounded by friends and family including Anne Charleston in her new role as Agnes Adair, as reflected on his time on Ramsay Street: “Interesting is one word, privileged is better. Almost 40 years ago I arrived in this street – I came in search of lost love and not only did I find her, I made the best possible friends a man could have really.”
Harold continued: “There have been good times and incredibly sad times too, but here we are. Even in my darkest hours, thank you. I was never alone. This has been more than a street for me, and you’ve been more than Neighbours. My life has been enriched by knowing each and everyone of you. You will all always be in my heart.”
Fans were quick to react to his departure, with one Facebook user commenting: “Such a lovely tribute. Well done to everyone involved.” Another viewer reminisced: “God bless you Harold. Thanks for all the happy memories you left us with!”
Others echoed the sentiment, including a third person who added: “Lovely memories. Lovely episode and a fitting tribute to Harold.” Meanwhile, a fourth fan celebrated the nostalgic on-screen compilation of Harold footgae: “Brilliant set of clips, great to see so many characters that have worked alongside Harold.”
And a fifth viewer, deeply moved, stated: “Harold Bishop aka Jelly Belly to us who’ve watched since day one is Neighbours. He’s a legend and the show isn’t going to be the same without him. Ian Smith has done a fantastic job of making Harold such an Icon. It’s so very sad that he’s now got terminal cancer. Enjoy the time you’ve got left with us Ian, take care of yourself.”
