MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) 鈥� Actor Ian Smith, who has played the character Harold Bishop in the iconic Australian soap opera 鈥淣eighbours鈥� since 1987, has announced his retirement after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The 86-year-old actor revealed the diagnosis in an interview with on Network 10, which broadcasts the series in Australia. The interview was broadcast on Monday.
Smith has already filmed his last episode and said farewell to the other cast members on his final day of shooting.
鈥淚t isn鈥檛 just my last day in 鈥楴eighbours,鈥� it鈥檚 my last day of work,鈥� Smith told 10.
Smith said he was being treated for a rare form of lung cancer known as pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma.
鈥淚 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,鈥� Smith said.
The producers of 鈥� ,鈥� which is set on fictional Ramsay Street in suburban Melbourne, used to confirm Smith鈥檚 departure.
鈥淗arold waves goodbye to Ramsay Street. We鈥檙e sharing the sad news that Ian Smith will soon be stepping away from the beloved role of Harold Bishop,鈥� the program posted on Monday.
Network 10 described Smith as the 鈥渉eart and soul of the show.鈥�
鈥淚an has brought joy, laughter and inspiration to audiences all around the world for decades,鈥� the network said in a statement.
鈥淎long 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,鈥� it said.
鈥淣eighbours鈥� first screened in 1985 and has become Australia鈥檚 longest-running drama series. It has been sold to more than 60 countries and was most popular in Britain.
The Associated Press
