“Ian Smith’s Heartfelt Last Wish: A Touching Revelation from the ‘Neighbours’ Star Facing Terminal Cancer”
Added on March 20, 2025 inCelebrity News Cards
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In a heartwarming yet poignant revelation, beloved Neighbours actor Ian Smith, best known for his iconic portrayal of Harold Bishop since 1987, has shared his defiant spirit amid a terminal cancer diagnosis. At 86 years young, Smith is not only facing the unthinkable—having been told he might not see this month—but he’s also clinging to life with a remarkable zest that’s utterly inspiring. With a twinkle in his eye, he candidly discusses his dying wish for an electric car, proving that even in the face of such challenges, humor and hope can be powerful allies. After all, who would have thought the charming grandfather figure we’ve known and loved would be so determined to drive off into the sunset on his own terms? His story is a mix of resilience, laughter, and the undeniable urge to live well, reminding us all that life can surprise us, often in the most unexpected ways. Curious to find out more about this captivating journey? LEARN MORE.
Neighbours actor Ian Smith has revealed his dying wish after admitting he’s ‘defying the odds’ following his terminal cancer diagnosis last December.
The 86-year-old first portrayed Harold Bishop on the Australian soap opera way back in 1987.
He quickly became a fan-favourite before stepping down from the show last year, suffering from ‘a very aggressive non-fixable cancer‘.
Neighbours star Ian Smith announced in December that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer (YouTube/10 News First)
Smith says he has been ‘defying the odds’ after being told he would be dead by this month.
“I’ve got cancer, yes, I’m going to die soon but I seem to be defying the odds, which is good,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.
His dying wish, however, is to buy a new electric car.
“I’m determined to have an electric car before I die,” the actor added.
“And I was speaking to a salesman. I said, ‘Now, what about the delivery? Can you get to me before I’m dead?’
The Neighbours actor first played Harold Bishop on the Australian TV soap in 1987 (Network 10)
“And he was so shocked! I said, ‘Come on, let’s have a giggle’.”
Smith’s wife Gail died from cancer in 2019 after over 50 years of marriage.
And the TV star admitted that he ‘almost gave in’ before he got some ‘good news’ on 13 December.
“I’m an atheist. I couldn’t say, ‘Thank you God’. I just had to say, ‘Thank you someone’ for giving me a second chance,” he said.
“And I took the second chance and I had to say to myself, what are you going to do with it?
“I’m still not sure I’ve worked out the answer to that but I’m certainly not going to mope around.
“People are saying that thing, ‘Oh, it’s wonderful what they can do these days’.
“Yes, I know it’s wonderful. Of course, we are very clever human beings, we can do all of this, but it’s still there and from the time I wake up in the morning, cancer is there as a reminder all the time, you can’t get away from it.”
In a previous interview with Australia’s 10 News First, Smith revealed he’s more than happy to be a ‘guinea pig’ for new treatment.
He added: “I’ve really put my hand up, I think, just to be a guinea pig, plus the fact I don’t want to die, I want to stay alive with quality as long as I can, and if they can do that I’m very happy.
“But I wake up every morning hoping there’s no pain because I know that’s the beginning of the bad part.”
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, contact Macmillan’s Cancer Support Line on 0808 808 00 00, 8am–8pm seven days a week.
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