Neighbours legend Ian Smith admits 'I was supposed to die in March' in candid health update
The Harold Bishop icon has revealed how experimental treatment has changed his life after being diagnosed with a rare, aggressive type of cancer
Ian Smith, best known for his iconic role in Neighbours as Harold Bishop, has opened up about his ongoing battle with cancer and how his health is even surprising for the doctors. The 86 year old appeared on Australian news show This Morning Show earlier this week, giving fans an optimistic update on his health condition, after his diagnosis left him little hope.
"I have got cancer. I know that because doctors tell me I have. But apart from that... No pain. I was supposed to die in March," Smith revealed. "I am having the easiest ride, seriously."
In December last year, the Australian actor was diagnosed with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, a rare and aggressive lung cancer, the Mirror reports.
At first the doctors described his condition as "non-fixable" and his prognosis was unsettling. He was then placed on an experimental treatment plan, which he jokingly described as becoming a "guinea pig", and since then he has defied expectations.
"I want to go forever," he said, smiling. "I don't want to play Harold anymore, but I don't want to stop acting."
Though the diagnosis was serious, Ian says the treatment has brought with it an unexpected twist. He jokingly said: "I've possibly never felt better. Everyone looks at me and says, 'Look at your hair,'" he laughed and continued: "They are all jealous I've got so much hair. I went through the treatment, started to lose my hair and went totally bald. I then went onto the immunotherapy and got a head full of hair... not just hair, but curly hair."
He's realistic but hopeful, expressing that he now looks forward to "a year, maybe two" more of life than what the doctors had initially told him.
Despite stepping away from Neighbours and being one of longest-serving characters, Ian insists he is not stepping away from the career that shaped his life. 'I'm not cured,' he admitted. 'But I'm here. And I feel fine.'
His final appearance on the beloved Aussie soap was extremely emotional. In a touching final scene, Harold announced he was moving to Port Douglas, Queensland, bringing longtime viewers to tears. Reflecting on those final moments, Smith said being surrounded by his fellow cast mates made the moment even more special.
He expressed: "I love them all dearly. They're like family."
Ian began portraying Harold on the show back in 1987, and quickly became one of the show's most loved characters, known for his warmth, resilience and memorable reappearances after dramatic exits.
Now, in real life, Ian is living a storyline that soap writers could never dream up.
In a recent interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, he opened up about how far he has come since the doctors gave him a few months to live. He said: "I've got cancer, yes, I'm going to die soon but I seem to be defying the odds, which is good."
At the start of this year, Ian told TV Week that his tumour had begun to shrink after three rounds of treatment including immunotherapy and chemotherapy. It's this that continues to fuel his determination to live his life.
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