Guy Pearce and Ian Smith lead the returning Neighbours stars

His character was famously presumed drowned in 1991, solely to return with amnesia 5 years later.

But regardless of leaving and returning to Ramsay Street a number of extra occasions over the years, Ian Smith is lastly saying goodbye to Neighbours for good this week.

The veteran actor, who has performed Harold Bishop on-and-off since 1987, was seen filming his closing scenes on Monday with a lot of the present’s authentic cast, together with Guy Pearce.

Smith has performed Harold onscreen for over twelve years, making him one among the longest-running characters in the present’s historical past.

After 4 years on the present, he first left in 1991 after his character was swept out to sea and was presumed useless. 

It was later revealed Harold was picked up by a trawler, earlier than returning to Erinsborough with amnesia and calling himself ‘Ted’.

Eventually his reminiscence returned, nevertheless Ian moved on from Ramsay Street once more in 2009, earlier than returning two years later.

His most up-to-date goodbye was in 2015. 

Smith, 83, can also be identified for his roles on Prisoners and Blue Heelers. 

Meanwhile Guy Pearce additionally returned to Neighbours, 36 years after it set his spectacular performing career in movement.

The 54-year-old was noticed on set as the TV sequence filmed its closing scenes this week.

He performed Mike Young on the iconic cleaning soap between 1986 and 1989. 

In pictures from the present’s Melbourne set, the Memento star could possibly be seen slipping right into a Triumph bike jacket whereas standing subsequent to his character’s motorcycle. 

The future film star was cast on the present as an 18-year-old after writing to Grundy producers whereas nonetheless a Year 12 scholar.

Also returning for the axed present’s final hurrah is Paul Keane, who performed Des Clarke from the long-running cleaning soap’s first episodes.

Other authentic cast members noticed on set included Annie Jones, Stefan Dennis, Ian Smith, Geoff Paine and Lucinda Cowden. 

Not seen have been Kylie Minogue, who’s to reprise her function as Charlene Mitchell for the present’s closing episode, or Jason Donovan, who will return to play Scott Robinson. 

Network 10 and Fremantle, the present’s producer, confirmed the information that Neighbours was cancelled in March, with the closing episode to be filmed in June.

In an announcement issued to MailOnline, they confirmed at the time: ‘It is with unhappiness that after practically 37 years and virtually 9000 episodes broadcast, we’re confirming that Neighbours will stop manufacturing in the summer season.

‘Following the lack of a key broadcast associate in the UK, and regardless of a seek for various funding, we presently haven’t any possibility however to relaxation the present.

‘Everyone at Neighbours has been overwhelmed by the love and help from the viewers since the information got here out. The present has introduced a sunny slice of Australia into the properties of tens of millions of viewers round the world launching the careers of dozens of family names alongside the manner.

‘But as this chapter of Ramsay Street involves a detailed, we promise to do every part we will to present the present the send-off it deserves.’

The present shall be taken off-air indefinitely after an ‘in depth seek for various funding’ resulted in failure.

News of its abrupt departure from UK’s Channel 5 despatched the present right into a tailspin, with community bosses in Australia scrambling to discover a new worldwide broadcasting deal to cover manufacturing prices or face the closure of Ramsay Street for good.

Network 10 addressed the finish of the sequence in an announcement to Australian media this month, admitting it had been a ‘troublesome determination’.

‘This troublesome determination got here after the seek for an alternate UK broadcast associate proved unsuccessful.’

They added that the sequence would ‘not air on 10 Peach past September 2022’, marking the finish of its decades-long run.

‘A much-loved stalwart of our program schedule for over 35 years it has been a staple of Australian tv drama, and Australian cultural exports,’ they added.

‘Ramsay Street, Erinsborough, is a cul-de-sac recognised throughout the world and has been house to Scott and Charlene, Des and Daphne, Dr Karl and Susan, Dee and Toadie, Aaron and David and many, many extra neighbours.

‘Network 10 thanks the cast, crew, all the manufacturing workforce and Fremantle for bringing the good mix of cleaning soap and sunshine to audiences in Australia and round the world.’

They additionally praised ‘the Australian followers and audiences for his or her continued help of the sequence’.

‘Their encouragement significantly in the previous few weeks has been unbelievable. It exhibits that our viewers nonetheless need Australian scripted drama,’ continued the assertion.

‘We have listened to them and there are thrilling new native tasks in the pipeline, which is nice for our viewers and for the native business.

‘We are assured that the cast, crew and writers will carry their distinctive heat, model and humour to the Neighbours set as they embark on filming the closing episodes over the coming months.’

Meanwhile, British broadcaster Channel 5 confirmed the finish of its 14-year cope with Neighbours in February, with a spokesperson telling MailOnline that the determination to axe the cleaning soap comes as the channel’s ‘present focus is on growing our funding in authentic UK drama’.

‘We recognise that there shall be disappointment about this determination, nevertheless our present focus is on growing our funding in authentic UK drama, which has sturdy attraction for our viewers,’ they mentioned.