MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Actor Ian Smith, who has performed the character Harold Bishop within the iconic Australian cleaning soap opera “Neighbours” since 1987, has introduced his retirement after being recognized with terminal most cancers.
The 86-year-old actor revealed the prognosis in an interview with 10 Information First on Community 10, which broadcasts the sequence in Australia.
The interview broadcast on Monday was recorded final week, the community mentioned on Tuesday.
Smith filmed his final episode two weeks in the past and mentioned farewell to the opposite forged members on his ultimate day of taking pictures, the community mentioned.
“It isn’t just my last day in ‘Neighbours,’ it’s my last day of work,” Smith instructed 10.
Smith mentioned he was being handled for a uncommon type of lung most cancers referred to as pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma.
“I found out a few months back that I have cancer, that I have a very aggressive, non-fixable cancer and … they expect me to die,” Smith mentioned.
The producers of “ Neighbours,” which is ready on fictional Ramsay Road in suburban Melbourne, used social media to verify Smith’s departure.
“Harold waves goodbye to Ramsay Street. We’re sharing the sad news that Ian Smith will soon be stepping away from the beloved role of Harold Bishop,” this system posted on Monday.
Smith’s ultimate episodes will probably be broadcast in Australia and Britain, the place this system discovered its largest viewers, in April subsequent yr, the community mentioned.
“Neighbours” govt producer Jason Herbison paid tribute to the actor and the way he ended the function, which has come and gone from the storyline a number of occasions over the many years.
“The way the residents of Ramsay Street feel about Harold is how we all feel about Ian -– we couldn’t love him more than we do,” Herbison mentioned in a press release.
“Despite the challenges he was facing with his health, he wanted to give Harold a proper sendoff. It was a very emotional moment on set as we paid tribute to him and the incredible contribution he has made to the show,” Herbison mentioned.
The community described Smith because the “heart and soul of the show.”
“Ian has brought joy, laughter and inspiration to audiences all around the world for decades,” the community mentioned in a press release.
“Along with the cast and crew and all his fans from around the world, we will support Ian in any way we can during this difficult time,” it mentioned.
“Neighbours” first screened in 1985 and has develop into Australia’s longest-running drama sequence. It has been offered to greater than 60 nations.
