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 broadcast on Monday was recorded last week, the network said on Tuesday.
Smith filmed his last episode two weeks ago and said farewell to the other cast members on his final day of shooting, the network said.
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.
Smith's final episodes will be broadcast in Australia and Britain, where the program found its largest audience, in April next year, the network said.
鈥淣eighbours鈥� executive producer Jason Herbison paid tribute to the actor and how he ended the role, which has come and gone from the storyline several times over the decades.
鈥淭he way the residents of Ramsay Street feel about Harold is how we all feel about Ian -鈥� we couldn鈥檛 love him more than we do,鈥� Herbison said in a statement.
鈥淒espite the challenges he was facing with his health, he wanted to give Harold a proper sendoff. It was a very emotional moment on set as we paid tribute to him and the incredible contribution he has made to the show,鈥� Herbison said.
The network 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.
Rod Mcguirk, The Associated Press
