Neighbours announces major return for Harold Bishop after 15 years
Neighbours has announced that Ian Smith is making a return as Harold Bishop.
The actor played the fan-favourite character between 1987 and 1991, and then again from 1996 until 2009.
He's come back for a few guest appearances over the years, including the 2022 finale and the first few instalments of the Amazon Freevee revival, but this looks like a more permanent return.
The Australian soap's official Twitter/X account wrote: "After 15 years of living away, the legendary Harold Bishop is returning to Erinsborough. We are thrilled to welcome Ian Smith back to the show and the opening titles, where he belongs."
After fifteen years of living away, the legendary Harold Bishop is returning to Erinsborough. We are thrilled to welcome Ian Smith back to the show and the opening titles, where he belongs. pic.twitter.com/QGrjpt0gjr
— Neighbours (@neighbours) April 8, 2024
Related: Neighbours' Terese Willis to face an emotional moment after return
The announcement is likely a pleasant surprise for fans, as Smith last year strongly suggested that he wouldn't come back on a full-time basis.
"I do want to retire," he said on the Celebration Tour almost a year ago to the day. "They've been so kind to let me come back to do bibs and bobs."
Related: Neighbours reveals Toadie Rebecchi's return to Ramsay Street
It's possible that in-universe, Harold could be involved in the Eirini Rising 'retirement experience' development that Terese Willis and Jane Harris have been trying to set up in the area.
Meanwhile, a new UK tour has been announced for next year, in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary of our first journey to Ramsay Street.
The full cast line-up for the tour will be announced in due course, and audiences have been promised "surprises, never-before-heard stories, and all the inside scoop on what life is really like in Erinsborough".
Neighbours releases new episodes from Mondays to Thursdays for free on Amazon Freevee in the UK and US. In Australia, the show airs from Mondays to Thursdays at 4pm on Channel 10, with a 6.30pm repeat screening on 10 Peach.
Read more Neighbours coverage on our dedicated homepage
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