Neighbous star Ian Smith has provided a shock health update, one month after he stepped down from his role on the series amid a terminal cancer battle.
The soap opera icon, 86, revealed his doctor recently told him he was responding well to the treatment and may live longer than originally projected.
‘I did a PET scan and the words, I believe, were “significant metabolic change, significant shrinkage of tumour”,’ Smith told TV Week.
‘I’ve gone from a threat of dying this coming March to maybe a few more months… and now, who knows?’
Smith added he was told by his doctor that if all goes well he may live for years longer than expected.
‘It’s not a cure and it won’t be a cure, but I certainly have got a year, maybe two. That’s amazing. It really is.’
Neighbous star Ian Smith (pictured) has provided a shock health update, one month after he stepped down from his role on the series amid a terminal cancer battle
The soap opera icon, 86, revealed his doctor recently told him he was responding well to his treatment and may live longer than originally projected
He then said he was already making plans as to how he would enjoy his new lease on life – by cultivating the tomatoes in his vegetable garden.
‘When I planted them, I said will plant them but I don’t know who is going to eat them. I’m about to eat them next week!
‘It’s rather funny, because there was a time there when I was supposed to die this coming March.
I was giving things away and now I feel like ringing people up and saying, ‘Give it back! I’m going to keep living, if you don’t mind.’ I feel like I have been reborn.’
In December, Smith, who has played Harold Bishop on the Australian series since 1987, publicly revealed his cancer battle and said the prognosis was dire.
‘I found out a few months back that I have cancer,’ the 86-year-old told Ten News.
‘That I have a very aggressive non-fixable cancer and they expect me to die.’
The Aussie actor described the cancer as ‘non-fixable’.
‘I’ve gone from a threat of dying this coming March to maybe a few more months… and now, who knows?’ he said
Bishop’s character will be given a fitting send-off from the series, Executive Producer Jason Herbison told the Herald Sun.
‘It was a very emotional moment on set as we paid tribute to him and the incredible contribution he has made to the show,’ he said.
Herbison added that Smith, just like his character, is deeply ‘loved’ by the show and public alike.
A Network 10 spokesperson said in a statement: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of Ian Smith’s cancer diagnosis.
‘A cherished member of the Neighbours family, Ian has been the heart and soul of the show since he first arrived on Ramsay Street in 1987.
‘Ian has brought joy, laughter and inspiration to audiences all around the world for decades.
‘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.’
Smith joined the show as Harold Bishop in 1987, before leaving the series in 1991.
The actor returned again in 1996, this time staying in the role for over a decade before again leaving in 2009.
He reprised the role in 2011 and again in 2015, before recently returning in 2022 as a series regular.
Smith will continue to appear on screen until April, 2026.
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