Beloved Neighbours actor Ian Smith says he’s been “reborn” despite battling terminal cancer

Ian Smith, best known for playing Harold Bishop on Neighbours, says he’s been “reborn” and wants to “go forever”, after defying the odds in his battle with terminal cancer.

Ian Smith, best known for playing much loved Neighbours character Harold Bishop, is thriving after being told he only had months to live.

Smith brought to a close 38 years on the Melbourne made soap with his last scenes airing on Monday night, saying he still wants to “go forever” as an actor.

In December the 86 year-old revealed he had been given a terminal cancer diagnosis but after undergoing immunotherapy treatment for the very aggressive rare lung condition he is “feeling fine physically”.

Ian Smith says he’s been “reborn”.

The Ramsay St veteran says he’s been “reborn”.

“I know I’ve got cancer because doctors keep telling me I have,’’ Smith told The Project.

“That’s the only way I know. I’ve got no pain, none of that.

“I was supposed to die in March. I didn’t. So I’m here to talk about me dying last month.

“I want to go forever. I don’t want to play Harold anymore but I don’t want to stop acting.”

Smith, who has a form of lung cancer called pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma that he was told was “non-fixable”, said he hadn’t been cured but “certainly have got a year, maybe two”.

Anne Charleston and Ian Smith, aka Madge and Harold on Neighbours.

He described himself as a guinea pig for the treatment which has so far worked wonders.

He said his Neighbours castmates were truly like family.

His final episode included Harold’s announcement of a move to Port Douglas in Queensland and a montage of flashbacks with Ann Charleston, who played Madge, Kylie Minogue, Tom Oliver and Vivean Gray.

Former Neighbours stars Kylie Minogue, Craig McLachlan, Anne Charleston and Ian Smith. Picture: Network 10

“It was incredible, it was truly,’’ Smith said of his emotional last day on set.

“I saw real tears. Young people. Where’s this barrier between young and old, it wasn’t there. I was getting lovely attention from these beautiful young people. People I’ve worked with for years and years. Stefan Dennis and Ryan Moloney, you can’t buy these friendships.”