With Neighbours coming to an end in December 2025, one of soap’s most iconic television characters has been given an emotional send-off after spending almost 40 years in Ramsay Street
Soap fans have paid an emotional farewell to one of television’s most loved characters – after he departed our screens for the fifth and final time.
Neighbours star Ian Smith first arrived in Erinsborough in January 1987 as bumbling Harold Bishop and has been involved in countless major storylines over the past four decades, many of which involved his on-screen wife Madge, played by Anne Charleston.
Now aged 86, Ian was sadly diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in December 2024, prompting Neighbours’ executive producer, Jason Herbison to reveal Harold would be given an appropriate send off before the show prepares comes to an end later this year after production company Fremantle failed to agree on a new deal with Amazon.
READ MORE: Neighbours ‘axed again’ as Amazon pulls the plug on iconic soap after just two years
Viewers may recall Harold departing Ramsay Street for the first time in 1991, only to return five years later and become one of the longest running-running characters in the series’ history.
Harold left again in 2009 – in sadly now ironic circumstances – owing to a cancer storyline. But Ian reprised the role in 2011, with Harold marrying Carolyn Johnstone (played by Paula Duncan), but the return was short-lived. In 2015 he re-joined the cast again, however, to take part in Neighbours’ 30th anniversary celebrations – where he reunited with Madge – albeit her ghost.
After a cameo in 2023 and departing once more, Harold made it back to Erinsborough for the final time in May 2024 as a full time cast member after Amazon Freevee secured the rights to the show. The character’s final scenes aired in the UK on Monday (April 14) marking the end of an era.
Neighbours’ Facebook account shared those final moments, as Harold told his nearest and dearest including Madge actress Anne as a new character, Agnes Adair: “Interesting is one word, privileged is better. Almost 40 years ago I arrived in this street – I came in search of lost love and not only did I find her, I made the best possible friends a man could have really.”
The poignant moment continued: “There have been good times and incredibly sad times too, but here we are. Even in my darkest hours, thank you. I was never alone. This has been more than a street for me, and you’ve been more than Neighbours. My life has been enriched by knowing each and everyone of you. You will all always be in my heart.”
“Such a lovely tribute,” one Facebook user responded. “Well done to all involved.” Another viewer added: “God bless you Harold. Thanks for all the happy memories you left us with!”
A third person agreed: “Lovely memories. Lovely episode and a fitting tribute to Harold.” A fourth hailed: “Brilliant set of clips, great to see so many characters that have worked alongside Harold.”
Whilst a fifth emotionally said: “Harold Bishop aka Jelly Belly to us who’ve watched since day on is Neighbours. He’s a legend and the show isn’t going to be the same without him. Ian Smith has done a fantastic job of making Harold such an Icon. It’s so very said that he’s now got terminal cancer. Enjoy the time you’ve got left with us Ian, take care of yourself.”
Follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
