To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a webbrowser that supports HTML5video Neighbours is gearing up to welcome back Ramsay Street royalty next week, with the Harold Bishop set to stage another comeback . The much-loved cafe owner left Erinsborough over a decade ago for what was thought to be the last ever time after actor Ian Smith retired, with final scenes that were fitting of a legend of Harold’s calibre. Ian would go on to reprise his signature role on a few occasions over the subsequent decade, before being summoned back for what was thought to be the final time ever when Neighbours was axed two years ago .
But with the show’s revival courtesy of Amazon Freevee proving a huge success, Harold is being welcomed back once again – and this time, it’s in a more regular capacity, with the character included in the opening titles for the first time in over 10 years. ‘I thought I’d planned my retirement quite well but it’s the story of most men who retire,’ actor Ian, 85, told Metro.co.
uk in an exclusive chat, as he reveals why he decided to return to Neighbours. ‘I had everything worked out, I had my fly fishing rods out, I had my metal detector ready to go, I had my e-bike strapped to the back of my car. But you can’t do those three things for the rest of your life, can you? So, I ended up being a bit edgy.
‘Then I was asked if I’d care to come back into the show. I was excited! I said yes – but not fulltime. I don’.
