SOAP fans were left sobbing as a TV legend bowed out after an incredible 38 years on screen.
Neighbours fans were left in bits as soap icon Harold Bishop made his emotional final exit after nearly four decades on Ramsay Street.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
The emotional goodbye stunned loyal fans who grew up watching the iconic character, with many admitting they were in “floods of tears” as the credits rolled.
The much-loved character, played by Ian Smith, officially said goodbye in last night’s episode, revealing he’s moving to Queensland to live with granddaughter Sky and her wife Lana.
But before packing up, Harold took a trip down memory lane – giving long-lost relative Agnes a tour of No. 24 and reminiscing about beloved wife Madge, while neighbours threw him a tear-jerking farewell bash.
A touching montage of familiar faces from the past had viewers sobbing, with one fan writing: “Goodbye Harold, thanks for the memories.”
Another added: “Ohhhhh Harold!! What a treasure and an absolute pleasure over all these years watching you!!
“So bittersweet knowing what is happening for you! You’ve made such an impact. I will miss you on Neighbours.”
A third penned: “Harold… Ian Smith… the legend. Feels like losing a member of my household seeing you go.
“It’s been a wonderful 40 years and I wish you much happiness and love. Thank you for all you’ve done.”
A fourth said: “Harold’s goodbye was perfect. It made me cry. The characters on Neighbours become like family and when an iconic character who has been there in your life through the storylines, it is like loosing a member of your family.
“Thank you for giving us the perfect goodbye to a wonderful man.”
Ian first stepped onto Ramsay Street as the lovable Harold Bishop back in 1987.
From iconic soap moments like coming back from the dead (after being presumed lost at sea!) to battling amnesia and becoming a fan-favourite stepdad to none other than Charlene Robinson, played by Kylie Minogue, Harold’s legacy is legendary.
His rollercoaster ride on Neighbours turned him into one of the most beloved soap characters across the globe.
Ian left fans heartbroken last December when he announced he was battling a rare form of lung cancer— revealing doctors had initially told him he was expected to die by March.
Neighbours stars who made it big
Clik here to view.
The long-running Aussie soap has launched the careers of some of Hollywood's biggest stars. Here are some of the Neighbours alums who went on to make it big after starring on the soap...
Kylie Minogue
- Before she hit the big time with her music career, Kylie shot to fame playing Charlene Mitchell on Neighbours. Shortly after her arrival, Kylie began an on and off-screen romance with co-star Jason Donovan, who played Scott Robinson, which gained the couple an army of adoring fans.
Jason Donovan
- After his stint as Scott, singer and actor Jason became an international popstar and had his pick acting of roles. He moved to the U.K., married, had children and has since starred in over a dozen West End show, most notably Joseph and his Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Alan Dale
- New Zealand born actor Alan was one of Neighbours 12 original cast members having made his debut as Jim Robinson on the soap’s first episode on 18 March 1985. As the head of the Robinson clan, widower Jim lived at Number 26 Ramsay Street with his children Paul, Julie, Scott and Lucy, and was a real anchor in the community. He stayed with the show for eight years, before his character was killed off in dramatic scenes aired in 1993 but which still reverberate through the soap to this day.
Margot Robbie
- Way before she was Barbie or Harley Quinn, Margot was best known as Ramsay Street resident Donna Freedman. Her notable storylines included her marriage to Ringo Brown and becoming a young widow following his tragic death. After three years she bid farewell to the soap and Australia with a plan to make a name for herself in Hollywood which she did when she bagged the role of Naomi Lapaglia opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street.
Jesse Spencer
- Jesse rocked up on Ramsay street in 1994 with the rest of the Kennedy clan. He stayed for five years, literally growing up in front of the camera, but in 2000 felt it was time to spread his wings and head for Hollywood. It was certainly a smart move as he went on to bag leading roles in popular shows like House and Chicago Fire.
Russell Crowe
- New Zealand-native Russell had a brief arc on Neighbours, appearing in four episodes of the soap 1987 as Kenny Larkin, the former cellmate of Street resident Henry Ramsay. The role obviously got him noticed though because he quickly went on to become a fully-fledged Hollywood A-lister, winning the Best Actor Oscar for his standout performance as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in Gladiator.
But in a true Harold-style twist, the beloved Neighbours star is defying the odds.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5, Smith shared the uplifting news that his immunotherapy treatment has significantly shrunk his tumours, offering hope in what was once a bleak prognosis.
He explained how he has a new outlook on life and he was taking the “second chance.”
Neighbours airs from Mondays to Thursdays on Amazon Prime Video.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
Clik here to view.
