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Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Neighbours' Ian Smith gives 'miracle' cancer update after being told he had months to live
Neighbours' Ian Smith gives 'miracle' cancer update after being told he had months to live The star, who is known for playing Harold Bishop in the soap, has given an update on his health after being told he had just months to live after being diagnosed with cancer Neighbours star Ian Smith has shared a remarkable health update (Image: Amazon Freevee ) Ian Smith, beloved by millions as Harold Bishop from Neighbours, has opened up about his ongoing battle with cancer and the surprising turn of events that has even his medical team taken aback. The cherished Aussie actor, 86, appeared on The Morning Show on Channel Seven this past week, providing an encouraging update on his wellbeing after receiving a rather bleak initial diagnosis. "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 shared openly. "I am having the easiest ride, seriously." For the latest TV and showbiz news sign up to our newsletter . He was diagnosed with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, an uncommon and aggressive form of lung cancer, in December and was told by doctors the disease was "non-fixable". His prognosis was grim, reports the Mirror.. However following his enrolment in what he refers to as a "guinea pig" experimental treatment scheme he has surpassed predictions. "I want to go forever," he remarked with a grin. Article continues below "I don't want to play Harold anymore but I don't want to stop acting." Despite the seriousness of his diagnosis Smith notes that the treatment process has come with a silver lining. "I've possibly never felt better. Everyone looks at me and says: 'Look at your hair'," he chuckled. "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, sharing that he now looks forward to 'a year, maybe two' more of life than doctors initially projected. And despite stepping away from Neighbours the veteran performer insists he's not stepping away from the craft that shaped his life. 'I'm not cured,' he admitted. 'But I'm here. And I feel fine.' His last scenes in the beloved Australian series were deeply moving. Harold's heartfelt announcement that he was relocating to Port Douglas, Queensland, left loyal viewers weeping. Reflecting on his final scenes Smith expressed that being encircled by his fellow actors made it all the more touching. "I love them all dearly," he exclaimed. "They're like family." Smith took on the role of Harold back in 1987 and quickly established himself as a fan favourite, celebrated for his character's kindness, fortitude, and remarkable comebacks following various absences. Now, in real life, Smith is living a storyline even soap writers couldn't dream up. In a recent interview with BBC Radio 5 Live he spoke candidly about how far he's come since doctors first gave him just months to live. 'I've got cancer, yes, I'm going to die soon but I seem to be defying the odds, which is good,' he said. Earlier in January, Smith disclosed to TV Week that after undergoing three treatment regimes involving immunotherapy and chemotherapy his tumour had started to diminish. This positive change boosts his quiet determination. Article continues below "I've been reborn," he said. "And I've still got stories to tell."
The Independent
16-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Neighbours producer reveals why show has been cancelled again: ‘It's frustrating'
The producer of the hit soap opera Neighbours has confirmed why the show has been cancelled for a second time despite positive viewing figures and awards nominations. The Australian show was cancelled for a second time in February after originally being axed in February 2022 when Channel 5 decided to stop airing it in the UK. When production company Fremantle was unable to find another channel to carry the programme, the show was cancelled altogether due to a lack of funding. Nine months later, it was announced streaming giant Amazon would revive the programme with the series making a return to screens in September 2023. However, in a statement released by the show on Friday (21 February), it was revealed the show would be 'resting' from December 2025. Now executive producer Jason Herbison has spoken out about the cancellation saying that the closure of Amazon Freevee, where the show was streamed, was the key contributing factor to the sudden end. Speaking to TV Tonight, Herbison said: 'We were considered a very big success on Amazon Freevee, and we're so grateful to them for this chapter and this two and a half years. 'The team at Amazon Freevee did an incredible job of launching us over there. I think we were on bus stops all across the UK, it was amazing and they have been wonderful to work with. But yes, as you've as you've mentioned the closure of Freevee, did change the landscape. 'While we seem to be very successful on Prime we're just simply not part of their content strategy going forward. And there's really no hard feelings with that. Things change and as I say, we're just very grateful to them to have had this chapter.' The show was regularly in the most watched shows on Amazon and even earned two Daytime Emmy awards nominations during its run ont he service. 'As our viewers have pointed out, we're consistently number one, number two, number three show every day on Prime in the UK. So yes, that's frustrating,' added Herbison. 'But the flip side of that is that I think we'd be more disappointed if we weren't successful and we were just disappearing. So we're very, very sad that this chapter is coming to an end, but we're also very proud that it's done very well, and that our audience is still very invested in the show and we'd love to see it continue.' The current iteration of the show is set to end in July but Herbison, who wrote the 2022 finale, has not got any firm plans in place yet. 'It's a strange position to be in, to be contemplating another finale. I definitely have thoughts. I haven't committed to anything yet. I don't see it as a big street party with a cast of thousands. I'm not going to compete with what we did in 2022 because I'm very, very proud of that episode, and I do think it was a great way to go out at the time. But I definitely have ideas. I'm sure they'll evolve between now and July. All I can say is that door will absolutely be left open for a future chapter.' The 2022 finale saw a host of top names, who had previously appeared on the show, return for cameos including Guy Pearce, Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, Holly Valance, Delta Goodrum and Natalie Imbruglia.
Telegraph
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Neighbours cancelled by Amazon after 40 years and 9,000 episodes
Australian soap Neighbours has been cancelled for a second time, after Amazon pulled the plug on the TV show. The final episode of the 40-year-old series will air in Dec 2025 after production company Fremantle Media failed to secure a renewed deal with the streaming giant. The soap follows the lives of residents in Erinsborough, a fictional suburb of Melbourne. It was first broadcast in Australia in 1985 and launched on BBC One a year later. There have been more than 9,000 episodes. The show was credited with helping to launch the careers of Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, and Margot Robbie. Hollywood actors to have made appearances in the soap include Liam and Chris Hemsworth, and Russell Crowe – while Holly Valance, Delta Goodrem and Natalie Imbruglia have gone on to have chart success as singers. In 2022, the show was cancelled by Channel 5 after it failed to secure new funding. A few months after what was meant to be its final episode, the series was revived by streaming site Amazon Freevee and Fremantle. Executive producer Jason Herbison said: 'Audiences all around the world have loved and embraced Neighbours for four decades and we are very proud of the huge success over the last two years including often appearing as one of the Top 10 titles in the UK and the show's first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Daytime Series in 2024. 'As this chapter closes, we appreciate and thank Amazon MGM Studios for all that they have done for Neighbours – bringing this iconic and much-loved series to new audiences globally. 'We value how much the fans love Neighbours and we believe there are more stories of the residents of Ramsay Street to tell in the future.' Neighbours is available on Amazon Freevee in the UK and the US. It is also available in Australia on 10 Peach and streaming service 10 Play. Channel 10 said on X: 'They've been our neighbours for almost 40 years, we're so sad to be saying goodbye. We'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to this remarkable Australian story over the years.' New episodes will continue to air on Amazon Prime Video and Australia's Channel 10 four times a week until the end of 2025.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Neighbours axed for a second time after being dropped by Amazon
The beloved Australian soap opera Neighbours is set to say goodbye once more. An announcement on the show's social media confirms that its final episode will air in December 2025. This comes after production company Fremantle Media could not clinch a new deal with Amazon for its continuation. Executive producer Jason Herbison said: "Audiences all around the world have loved and embraced Neighbours for four decades and we are very proud of the huge success over the last two years including often appearing as one of the Top 10 titles in the UK and the show's first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Daytime Series in 2024. "As this chapter closes, we appreciate and thank Amazon MGM Studios for all that they have done for Neighbours – bringing this iconic and much-loved series to new audiences globally. READ MORE: EastEnders legend issues plea to fans amid concern over 'mistakes' during live episode READ MORE: BBC EastEnders Martin Fowler star James Bye breaks silence after death twist "We value how much the fans love Neighbours and we believe there are more stories of the residents of Ramsay Street to tell in the future." Set in the fictitious Melbourne suburb of Erinsborough, Neighbours delves into the lives of its residents. The soap faced its first cancellation in 2022 when it couldn't secure fresh funding from Channel 5, but the drama experienced a brief revival thanks to streaming platform Amazon Freevee and producers at Fremantle. UK and US audiences can enjoy Neighbours on Amazon Freevee, while it continues to entertain viewers in Australia through 10 Peach and the streaming platform 10 Play. Channel 10 expressed a poignant farewell on X: "They've been our neighbours for almost 40 years, we're so sad to be saying goodbye. "We'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to this remarkable Australian story over the years." Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and, Breaking News group by clicking this link
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Amazon axes Neighbours two years after throwing soap lifeline
Australian soap opera Neighbours has been cancelled for a second time. A statement on the programme's social media accounts confirmed the final episode of the 40-year-old series would air in December 2025 after reports production company Fremantle Media failed to secure a renewed deal with Amazon. Executive producer Jason Herbison said: 'Audiences all around the world have loved and embraced Neighbours for four decades and we are very proud of the huge success over the last two years including often appearing as one of the Top 10 titles in the UK and the show's first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Daytime Series in 2024. They've been our neighbours for almost 40 years, we're so sad to be saying goodbye 💔 Unfortunately, after nearly four decades of events on Ramsay Street, production of Neighbours will cease this year. We'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to this remarkable Australian… — Channel 10 (@Channel10AU) February 21, 2025 'As this chapter closes, we appreciate and thank Amazon MGM Studios for all that they have done for Neighbours – bringing this iconic and much-loved series to new audiences globally. 'We value how much the fans love Neighbours and we believe there are more stories of the residents of Ramsay Street to tell in the future.' The soap opera follows the lives of residents in Erinsborough, a fictional suburb of Melbourne. In 2022, the show was cancelled by Channel 5 after it failed to secure new funding. A few months after what was meant to be its final episode, the series was revived by streaming site Amazon Freevee and Fremantle. Neighbours is available on Amazon Freevee in the UK and the US. It is also available Australia on 10 Peach and streaming service 10 Play. Channel 10 said on X: 'They've been our neighbours for almost 40 years, we're so sad to be saying goodbye. We'd like to thank everyone who has contributed to this remarkable Australian story over the years.'
