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Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Beloved Neighbours star Ian Smith shares sad update amid cancer battle as he admits friends have 'walked away' from him
Ian Smith has admitted that he has lost friends while battling cancer. The beloved Neigbours star is being treated for a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer and says that not everyone has stuck by his side. The 86-year-old says that some people in his life have 'walked away' from him. 'I can't understand that. I don't want them to love me but at least stay as they were with me' he told The Morning Show. 'But, no, they're quite physically walking away from me and it's a very strange feeling. I wish they'd tell me why.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the . Ian added that he is doing well health wise and has so far defied the odds. 'I get a bit nauseous sometimes, but that's not much,' he said of how he's feeling physically. 'I was supposed to die last month… I've possibly never felt better' Ian continued. 'Everyone looks at me and they say, "Look at your hair." And they're all jealous because I've got so much hair.' In December, Smith was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer called pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, which doctors initially told him was 'non-fixable'. Ian, who played Harold Bishop on the long-running soap, stepped down from his stalwart role last year amid his terminal cancer battle. After being put on a revolutionary treatment plan – which he cheekily described as being a 'guinea pig' for – he's defied expectations and is now hoping for 'a year, maybe two' of extra life. 'I want to go forever,' he said. 'I don't want to play Harold anymore, but I don't want to stop acting.' The veteran performer first stepped into Harold's shoes in 1987 and went on to become one of Neighbours' most iconic faces. He was known for his wholesome charm, slow-burning romances, and multiple disappearances - including being presumed dead after falling off a cliff in 1991 – only to return five years later with amnesia. His final scenes as Harold, which aired in April, had fans across the globe in tears - with the affable character announcing he was moving to Queensland with a sentimental send off. However Harold made a welcome, albeit brief, return to Ramsay Street in scenes that will aired earlier this year. Ian was back in the fictional suburb of Erinsborough to help farewell another Neighbours veteran, Anne Charleston, 82. Anne played Harold's wife Madge Bishop (nee Mitchell) from 1986 until 2001. She then returned for the 30th anniversary in 2015, and 'final' episode in 2022. The versatile actress returned to the soap again this year to play new character Agnes Adair. News of Harold's return came after Ian recently gave an update on his health following his cancer diagnosis. He revealed on Channel Seven's The Morning Show that he was responding well to his cancer treatment. '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,' Ian said.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Beloved neighbours star Ian Smith to make shock return to iconic Aussie soap just weeks after farewelling Ramsay Street: 'It's very special indeed'
Beloved Neigbours star Ian Smith is set to make a shock return to the iconic Aussie soap, just weeks after saying his final goodbye. Ian, 86, who played Harold Bishop on the long-running soap, stepped down from his stalwart role last year amid his terminal cancer battle. His final scenes as Harold, which aired in April, had fans across the globe in tears - with the affable character announcing he was moving to Queensland with a sentimental send off. Now it's been revealed that Harold will make a welcome, albeit brief, return to Ramsay Street in scenes that will air this week. Ian will be back in the fictional suburb of Erinsborough to help farewell another Neighbours veteran, Anne Charleston, 82. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Anne played Harold's wife Madge Bishop (nee Mitchell) from 1986 until 2001. She then returned for the 30th anniversary in 2015, and 'final' episode in 2022. The versatile actress returned to the soap again this year to play new character Agnes Adair. With Agnes' final scenes set to air this week, Neighbours executive producer Jason Herbison revealed that Harold would be there for the send-off. 'We did manage to film an additional moment that has no yet gone to air – viewers will see it in the coming weeks,' he told TV Tonight. 'It's a small moment but it's very special indeed.' News of Harold's return comes after Ian recently gave an update on his health following his cancer diagnosis. He revealed on Channel Seven's The Morning Show this week that he was responding well to his cancer treatment. '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,' Ian began. 'I am having the easiest ride, seriously!' He then revealed the unusual side effect he was experiencing from the ongoing cancer treatment. 'I've possibly never felt better. Everyone looks at me and says, "Look at your hair!",' he added. '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!' In December, Smith was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer called pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, which doctors initially told him was 'non-fixable'. But after being put on a revolutionary treatment plan – which he cheekily described as being a 'guinea pig' for – he's defied expectations and is now hoping for 'a year, maybe two' of extra life. 'I want to go forever,' he said, beaming. 'I don't want to play Harold anymore, but I don't want to stop acting.' The veteran performer first stepped into Harold's shoes in 1987 and went on to become one of Neighbours' most iconic faces. He was known for his wholesome charm, slow-burning romances, and multiple disappearances - including being presumed dead after falling off a cliff in 1991 – only to return five years later with amnesia. Following his Neighbours farewell in April, heartbroken fans took to social media to share their sadness over Harold's departure. 'Harold... Ian Smith... the legend. Feels like losing a member of my household seeing you go. It's been a wonderful 40 years. I wish you much happiness and love,' one fan wrote. 'Harold's goodbye was perfect. It made me cry. The characters on Neighbours become like family,' a second added. 'Ohhhhh Harold!! What a treasure. An absolute pleasure over all these years watching you,' a third viewer chipped in.
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Neighbours legend Ian Smith gives health update amid terminal cancer battle saying ‘I was supposed to die in March!'
NEIGHBOURS legend Ian Smith gave a health update amid his terminal cancer battle. Back in December last year, the former Channel 5 actor revealed Advertisement 6 Ian Smith has given fans an update on his terminal cancer battle Credit: Amazon Freevee 6 He has appeared on Neighbours as Harold Bishop since 1987 Credit: Alamy 6 The actor has defied doctors initial prognosis as he's on experimental treatment Credit: Ray Messner This was just before he news . He first appeared as Harold Bishop back in January on 1987 and has been a staple on Neighbours ever since. However, Speaking on Channel Seven this week, the star admitted that he was 'having the easiest ride' during his appearance. Advertisement READ MORE ON NEIGHBOURS STARS He admitted: "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 ... I am having the easiest ride, seriously." Although his prognosis looked grim and the disease was described as 'non-fixable,' by doctors, the actor has been placed on an experimental treatment plan. He jokingly described himself as a 'guinea pig' as he reveals that he has 'defied expectations. Advertisement Most read in Soaps Ian added: "I want to go forever ... I don't want to play Harold anymore, but I don't want to stop acting." 'I've possibly never felt better. Everyone looks at me and says, 'Look at your hair .' Neighbours legend Ian Smith shares update on 'rare, drastic and severe' cancer battle after filming final scenes "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." The star also said that he hoped to live for more than doctors first anticipated, saying he wants at least another 'year, maybe two.' Advertisement Despite quitting the popular soap, Ian says that he still wants to get involved in the art form that he loves so much. He admitted: "I'm not cured, but I'm here. And I feel fine.' Neighbours stars who made it big The long-running Aussie soap has launched the careers of some of Hollywood's biggest stars. Here are some of the Neighbours alums who went on to make it big after starring on the soap... Kylie Minogue Before she hit the big time with her music career, Kylie shot to fame playing Charlene Mitchell on Neighbours. Shortly after her arrival, Kylie began an on and off-screen romance with co-star Jason Donovan, who played Scott Robinson, which gained the couple an army of adoring fans. Jason Donovan After his stint as Scott, singer and actor Alan Dale New Zealand born actor Margot Robbie Way before she was Barbie or Harley Quinn, Margot was best known as Ramsay Street resident Donna Freedman. Her notable storylines included her marriage to Ringo Brown and becoming a young widow following his tragic death. After three years she bid farewell to the soap and Australia with a plan to make a name for herself in Hollywood which she did when she bagged the role of Naomi Lapaglia opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street. Jesse Spencer Russell Crowe New Zealand-native Russell had a brief arc on Neighbours, appearing in four episodes of the soap 1987 as Kenny Larkin, the former cellmate of Street resident Henry Ramsay. The role obviously got him noticed though because he quickly went on to become a fully-fledged Hollywood A-lister, winning the Best Actor Oscar for his standout performance as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator. He had previously been told he was expected to die by March this year, but thankfully he's been able to extend his life thanks to immunotherapy which He previously Advertisement 'Although the oncologist can't tell me that, they said because this cancer is so rare, so drastic, so severe, so awful, they don't know, they don't know what it's going to do.' 'After my last treatment I asked, 'How long do I have to keep going with these treatments?',' he added, explaining he was told he can stop at any time. [I'm having] no pain. I was supposed to die in March ... I am having the easiest ride, seriously Ian Smith Channel Seven '[The doctor] said 'No. We know so little about this cancer that we don't know that if you stop taking the treatments, it may roar back into life'. 'So I said: 'Look, for an hour's treatment every three weeks I think I can put up with that' and it looks like these very clever people are going to keep me alive.' Advertisement The star left viewers in tears after filming his emotional final scenes in Neighbours. Harold announced he was moving across the country away from Ramsay Street to Port Douglas, Queensland. Visit our Neighbours page for the latest gossip and spoilers 6 He had viewers in tears during his emotional final scenes on Neighbours Credit: AMAZON FREEVEE 6 His character moved across the country away from Ramsay Street to Queensland Credit: Channel 5 Advertisement 6 Although he departed the long-running soap, he also insists that he wants to keep acting for the moment Credit: Channel 5
The Sun
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Neighbours legend Ian Smith gives health update amid terminal cancer battle saying ‘I was supposed to die in March!'
GOOD FRIENDS The actor described himself as a 'guinea pig' as he opened up on his treatment NEIGHBOURS legend Ian Smith gave a health update amid his terminal cancer battle. Back in December last year, the former Channel 5 actor revealed that he was diagnosed with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma. 6 6 6 This was just before he quit the long-running Aussie soap after 37 years on-screen when he received the devastating lung cancer news. He first appeared as Harold Bishop back in January on 1987 and has been a staple on Neighbours ever since. However, Ian, 86, gave an optimistic update on the Australian breakfast programme, The Morning Show. Speaking on Channel Seven this week, the star admitted that he was 'having the easiest ride' during his appearance. He admitted: "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 ... I am having the easiest ride, seriously." Although his prognosis looked grim and the disease was described as 'non-fixable,' by doctors, the actor has been placed on an experimental treatment plan. He jokingly described himself as a 'guinea pig' as he reveals that he has 'defied expectations. Ian added: "I want to go forever ... I don't want to play Harold anymore, but I don't want to stop acting." 'I've possibly never felt better. Everyone looks at me and says, 'Look at your hair.' Neighbours legend Ian Smith shares update on 'rare, drastic and severe' cancer battle after filming final scenes "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." The star also said that he hoped to live for more than doctors first anticipated, saying he wants at least another 'year, maybe two.' Despite quitting the popular soap, Ian says that he still wants to get involved in the art form that he loves so much. He admitted: "I'm not cured, but I'm here. And I feel fine.' Neighbours stars who made it big The long-running Aussie soap has launched the careers of some of Hollywood's biggest stars. Here are some of the Neighbours alums who went on to make it big after starring on the soap... Kylie Minogue Before she hit the big time with her music career, Kylie shot to fame playing Charlene Mitchell on Neighbours. Shortly after her arrival, Kylie began an on and off-screen romance with co-star Jason Donovan, who played Scott Robinson, which gained the couple an army of adoring fans. Jason Donovan After his stint as Scott, singer and actor Jason became an international popstar and had his pick acting of roles. He moved to the U.K., married, had children and has since starred in over a dozen West End show, most notably Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat. Alan Dale New Zealand born actor Alan was one of Neighbours 12 original cast members having made his debut as Jim Robinson on the soap's first episode on 18 March 1985. As the head of the Robinson clan, widower Jim lived at Number 26 Ramsay Street with his children Paul, Julie, Scott and Lucy, and was a real anchor in the community. He stayed with the show for eight years, before his character was killed off in dramatic scenes aired in 1993 but which still reverberate through the soap to this day. Margot Robbie Way before she was Barbie or Harley Quinn, Margot was best known as Ramsay Street resident Donna Freedman. Her notable storylines included her marriage to Ringo Brown and becoming a young widow following his tragic death. After three years she bid farewell to the soap and Australia with a plan to make a name for herself in Hollywood which she did when she bagged the role of Naomi Lapaglia opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street. Jesse Spencer Jesse rocked up on Ramsay street in 1994 with the rest of the Kennedy clan. He stayed for five years, literally growing up in front of the camera, but in 2000 felt it was time to spread his wings and head for Hollywood. It was certainly a smart move as he went on to bag leading roles in popular shows like House and Chicago Fire. Russell Crowe New Zealand-native Russell had a brief arc on Neighbours, appearing in four episodes of the soap 1987 as Kenny Larkin, the former cellmate of Street resident Henry Ramsay. The role obviously got him noticed though because he quickly went on to become a fully-fledged Hollywood A-lister, winning the Best Actor Oscar for his standout performance as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator. He had previously been told he was expected to die by March this year, but thankfully he's been able to extend his life thanks to immunotherapy which has helped him defy the odds. He previously opened up on his condition on GMB, as he remarked: 'It's a cruel, ugly, brutal place, and I don't know how, but it looks like I'm having the best luck in the world with defeating this cancer. 'Although the oncologist can't tell me that, they said because this cancer is so rare, so drastic, so severe, so awful, they don't know, they don't know what it's going to do.' 'After my last treatment I asked, 'How long do I have to keep going with these treatments?',' he added, explaining he was told he can stop at any time. [I'm having] no pain. I was supposed to die in March ... I am having the easiest ride, seriously Ian SmithChannel Seven '[The doctor] said 'No. We know so little about this cancer that we don't know that if you stop taking the treatments, it may roar back into life'. 'So I said: 'Look, for an hour's treatment every three weeks I think I can put up with that' and it looks like these very clever people are going to keep me alive.' The star left viewers in tears after filming his emotional final scenes in Neighbours. Harold announced he was moving across the country away from Ramsay Street to Port Douglas, Queensland. 6 6 6
News.com.au
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Former Neighbours star Ian Smith opens up about cancer battle: ‘I was supposed to die in March'
Former Neighbours star Ian Smith has revealed he has beaten the odds so far after doctors told him he was supposed to die in March, just three short months after being diagnosed with 'non-fixable' cancer. The beloved Aussie actor gave an update on his cancer battle in an emotional interview on Seven's The Morning Show on Wednesday, telling viewers he is 'feeling great' despite his grim medical prognosis. 'Let me tell you, I have got cancer. I know that because doctors tell me I have. But apart from that, no pain,' the 86-year-old told hosts Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies. 'I get a bit nauseous sometimes, but that's not much.' 'I am having – oh, [I should] hold back from saying it – the easiest ride. Seriously. I mean, I think of the poor people who are having the worst possible cancers and I just say, 'I'm sorry guys, but this is the way I'm doing it.' And I don't know how I did it that way, because it certainly wasn't anything that I did.' Smith – who played the loveable Harold Bishop on Neighbours for almost four decades – says that even he is surprised to still be around today after being told he only had months to live. 'I was supposed to die in March,' he said. 'I've possibly never felt better. Everyone looks at me and they say, 'Look at your hair.' And they're all jealous because I've got so much hair.' But that's not to say the actor didn't lose his hair at the start of his treatment in December. 'Of course I went through the cancer thing. I started to lose my hair with the treatment, and then I went totally bald,' he recalled. 'Then I went on to the immunotherapy and [got] a head full of curly hair. Not just hair, but curly hair.' Smith knows all too well what cancer treatments entail after watching his wife Gail battle and then tragically die from cancer in 2019. He says that when he used to accompany her to her treatments, there was always this 'us and them' mentality. But after his diagnosis, his mind shifted when he became part of 'them'. 'Something changed. I haven't quite put my finger on what it is,' he said after doctors told him he had a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer. 'My wife died of cancer six years ago and I took her for her treatments. And I don't know if any of you have been into the treatment room where people get chemo and so forth, and it was us and them in my head. It was us and them – and that included Gail, my wife. 'And now it's them and us. Because now all of a sudden, I'm the one in the big, comfortable chair getting stuff fed into my arm. And it is different. You don't belong to the rest of humanity. And I can't tell you what the difference is. I'm the same person. I'm the same person with cancer. But I feel different. I'm very jealous of the other people, I am. There's a jealousy, for sure.' Following his cancer diagnosis, Smith departed his role as Harold after almost four decades to focus on his health. But it was hard to walk away from a character he had played since 1987. His last ever episode aired last month. 'It was a kick in the pants for me,' he said. 'Cynical old me. I thought, 'Oh, yeah, I've been to lots of these goodbyes and yeah, yeah, yeah. You love me. Yeah. Yeah, sure. I'm the best man in the world.''
