Ian Smith has revealed he has only a short while to live after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer last year.
The Neighbours star, 86, who portrayed Harold Bishop on the soap, announced in December he has pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, a rare form of the disease.
But despite being told by doctors he would die by March, the actor has now discovered he may live to see Christmas 2026, reported The Guardian on Monday.
‘They can’t say the cancer has gone. In fact, they mustn’t, because it has come back in other people and they have died of it,’ he told the publication.
‘But honestly, if they told me it had come back now, I would be ready this time.’
Ian went on to say ‘dying changes how you live’, adding his diagnosis has helped him be a ‘more forgiving, more understanding’ person.
Ian Smith, 86, has revealed he has only two years left to live after being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer last year
‘It is a pity that I couldn’t have come to all these realisations [before] I was sick. I could have done somebody some good in the world,’ he said.
Just a month earlier, Ian told TV Week his cancerous tumour had been shrinking after three rounds of palliative treatment, including immunotherapy and chemotherapy.
‘I did a PET scan and the words, I believe, were “significant metabolic change, significant shrinkage of tumour,”‘ he said at the time.
‘I’ve gone from a threat of dying this coming March to maybe a few more months…and now, God, who knows?
‘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.’
Ian stepped down from his popular role on Neighbours last year amid his terminal cancer battle.
The soap opera icon, who played Harold Bishop on the Australian series since 1987, said in December his prognosis was dire.
‘I found out a few months back that I have cancer,’ he told Ten News at the time.
The Neighbours star, who portrayed Harold Bishop on the soap, announced in December he has pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, and he now expects to live until Christmas 2026
‘That I have a very aggressive non-fixable cancer and they expect me to… they expect me to die.’
Executive Producer Jason Herbison said Ian’s character would be given a fitting send-off from the series, reported 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.
Jason added Ian, 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.’
Ian 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.
Ian will continue to appear on screen until April 2026.
