Ian Smith has shared a positive update amid his terminal cancer battle.
The beloved Neighbours star, who portrayed Harold Bishop, revealed he hopes to return to work after immunotherapy successfully slowed the progression of his cancer and extended his life expectancy.
The 86-year-old was diagnosed with an aggressive lung cancer called pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, which doctors initially told him was ‘non-fixable’.
‘It (the cancer) has evened out and immunotherapy is keeping it there and my markers have been the same for the last three treatments,’ he told the Herald Sun.
‘They (the medical team) don’t know why I have had this incredible result, they can’t tell me why I am not giving in to cancer.’
The good news has given Ian a new lease of life, fuelling his hopes to make a limited return to acting, either in small roles or doing voiceovers.
Ian Smith has shared a positive update amid his terminal cancer battle
The beloved Neighbours star, who portrayed Harold Bishop, revealed he hopes to return to work after immunotherapy successfully slowed the progression of his cancer and extended his life expectancy
‘I have said to some very smart people that I wanted to finish my career on the stage,’ he said, adding: ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if I got a small part in a stage play?’
Ian recently admitted that he has lost friends while battling cancer, revealing that not everyone has stuck by his side.
‘I can’t understand that. I don’t want them to love me but at least stay as they were with me,’ he told The Morning Show.
‘But, no, they’re quite physically walking away from me and it’s a very strange feeling. I wish they’d tell me why.’
Ian added that he is doing well in terms of his health and has so far defied the odds.
‘I get a bit nauseous sometimes, but that’s not much,’ he said of how he’s feeling physically.
‘I was supposed to die last month… I’ve possibly never felt better,’ Ian continued.
‘Everyone looks at me and they say, “Look at your hair.” And they’re all jealous because I’ve got so much hair.’
‘It (the cancer) has evened out and immunotherapy is keeping it there and my markers have been the same for the last three treatments,’ he told the Herald Sun.
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Ian stepped down from his long-running role last year amid his terminal cancer battle.
‘I want to go forever,’ he said at the time.
‘I don’t want to play Harold anymore, but I don’t want to stop acting.’
The veteran performer joined Neighbours in 1987.
He went on to become one of Ramsay Street’s most iconic faces, known for his wholesome charm, slow-burning romances, and multiple disappearances.