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Ian Smith’s Shocking Bucket List Confession

BBG News

Longtime “Neighbours” actor Ian Smith recently shared his heartfelt wish following his diagnosis with terminal cancer a year ago.

In December, the 86-year-old actor, known for his role as longtime soap character Harold Bishop, revealed that he has been diagnosed with a seldom-seen type of lung cancer called pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma.

During a conversation on BBC Radio 5 Live, Ian shared that he had astonishingly overcome the predictions made against him, as doctors had previously suggested his demise by March of this year.

In a candid moment, Ian shared that he’s been diagnosed with cancer, and while the prognosis suggests his time may be limited, remarkably, he appears to be beating the odds, which is heartening.

Ian added that he still had at least one more thing to tick off his bucket list.

He mentioned he’s planning to buy a new car, but it seems odd because he thinks he might die in March.)

I am resolute in my goal to own an electric vehicle before my time ends. In a recent conversation with a salesperson, I playfully inquired, “Now, could you possibly expedite the delivery? Could it arrive before I pass away?” Surprised, he was taken aback, but we shared a laugh about it.

Ian received news he would outlive his original prognosis just before Christmas.

‘I took the second chance and I had to say to myself, “What are you going to do with it?” he said.

‘I’m still not sure I’ve worked out the answer to that but I’m certainly not going to mope around.’

At the start of January, Ian shared with TV Week that following three sessions of treatment consisting of both immunotherapy and chemotherapy, his cancerous growth had noticeably reduced in size.

He shared that he underwent a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scan, and as far as he understood, the findings indicated “substantial metabolic alteration” and “notable reduction in the size of the tumor.

From potentially perishing by March, I might have a few extra months…and beyond that, only time will tell.

‘While it’s not a permanent solution, I’ve been given at least a year, possibly two. Remarkable, isn’t it? Absolutely!’

Ian stepped down from his popular role on Neighbours last year amid his terminal cancer battle.

6 years ago, The Herald Sun assembled a list ranking the top Australian television characters from the past 60 years. Harold Bishop placed 12th on this list, positioned between Sharon Strzelecki of Kath & Kim and Bobby Simpson from Home And Away.

In an interview with Daily Mail Australia back in 2017, Ian confessed that he wasn’t aware of the prestigious recognition, but he expressed his hope that Harold’s legacy would foster strong and beneficial family ties instead.

Ian, rather modestly, acknowledged a sense of satisfaction within himself. There’s an endearing quality about Harold that draws people to him, despite his occasional foolishness.

People often remark that I resemble a grandfather figure to them, or they see similarities between us and their fathers.

If I manage to transform that object so that I could say, “Go give your dad a big hug,” – I’ve never actually given my dad a hug, the first and only time I physically touched him was 10 minutes after his death.

Ian, who once shared screen time with stars like Delta Goodrem, Margot Robbie, and Kylie Minogue on the legendary soap, frequently found himself astonished by the remarkable heights of success his former acting companions had scaled.

He admitted that there were times when he felt embarrassed because he hadn’t realized some actors would become so famous later on.

I had a feeling that Kylie would become incredibly successful, but I underestimated the extent of it. I recall seeing her in the backstage area, chatting on the phone with someone asking her to promote their product from behind it.

1. “Her management of that discussion was simply exceptional. One could imagine her teaching the skill, and I found myself thinking, ‘She’s destined for great things.'”

2. “The manner in which she navigated that conversation was truly impressive. If there were classes on it, she would make an excellent teacher, and my thoughts were, ‘She’s got a bright future ahead.'”

3. “Her skillful handling of the conversation left me speechless. If there were courses on this topic, she’d be an ideal instructor, and I couldn’t help but think, ‘She’s bound for success.'”

He added that the biggest surprise was Guy Pearce.

He had previously viewed him only as a capable young performer, not the major Hollywood star he is now. He recollected his jaw hitting the floor when he first witnessed him in “Priscilla,” he expressed.

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2025-03-20 08:52

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