Neighbours star Ian Smith reveals how long he has left to live as he gives shock cancer update – after being forced to step down from the series following heartbreaking diagnosis

Neighbor Ian Smith has given a shocking health update, a month after stepping down from his role in the series amid a terminal battle with cancer.

The soap icon, 86, revealed that his doctor recently told him he was responding well to treatment and may live longer than originally expected.

“I did a PET scan and the words, I believe, were ‘significant metabolic change, significant tumor shrinkage,'” Smith said. TV week.

“I’ve gone from the threat of dying next March to maybe a few more months… and now, who knows?”

Smith added that his doctor told him that if all goes well, he could live years longer than expected.

‘It’s not a cure and it won’t be a cure, but I certainly have another year, maybe two. That’s great. That’s really true.’

The soap icon, 86, revealed that his doctor recently told him he was responding well to his treatment and could live longer than originally expected

He said then that he was already making plans on how he would enjoy his new life: by growing tomatoes in his vegetable garden.

“When I planted them, I said I would plant them, but I don’t know who is going to eat them. I’m going to eat them next week!

“It’s kind of funny because there was a time when I was supposed to die in March.

I gave things away and now I feel like calling people and saying, ‘Give it back! I’ll live, if you don’t mind.’ I feel like I’ve been reborn.’

In December, Smith, who has played Harold Bishop in the Australian series since 1987, publicly announced his battle with cancer and said the prognosis was grim.

“I found out a few months ago that I have cancer,” says the 86-year-old told Ten News.

“That I have a very aggressive, unrepairable cancer and they expect me to die.”

The Australian actor described the cancer as “unrepairable.”

“I’ve gone from the threat of dying next March to maybe a few more months… and now, who knows?” he said

Bishop’s character will receive a fitting farewell from the series, executive producer Jason Herbison told the network 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, like his character, is deeply “loved” by both the show and its audience.

A spokesperson for Network 10 said in a statement: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear of Ian Smith’s cancer diagnosis.

‘A much-loved member of the Neighbors family, Ian has been the heart and soul of the show since he first arrived on Ramsay Street in 1987.

“Ian has been bringing joy, laughter and inspiration to audiences around the world for decades.

“Together 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 in 1987 as Harold Bishop, before leaving the series in 1991.

The actor returned again in 1996, this time staying in the role for over a decade before leaving again in 2009.

He reprized the role in 2011 and again in 2015, before recently returning as a series regular in 2022.

Smith will be on screen until April 2026.