Neighbours star Ian Smith says he is feeling better than even despite doctors predicting he would die last month having been diagnosed with terminal cancer.
The 86-year-old Australian star, who is best known for playing tuba-playing fuddy duddy Harold Bishop in the long-running soap, revealed last year he had been told his time was limited.
Now however he says he feels like he has been “reborn” after undergoing a ground-breaking immunotherapy treatment and has surpassed expectations.
“I was supposed to die in March. I didn't. So I'm here to talk about me dying last month,” Smith opened up in an interview with The Project.
“I know I've got cancer because doctors keep telling me I have. That's the only way I know. I've got no pain – none of that.”
Smith was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of lung cancer called pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma, which he was was initially told was “non-fixable”.
Having submitted himself as a “guinea pig” for the revolutionary treatment plan however, he is now hoping for “a year, maybe two” of extra life.
“I want to go forever,” he told the outlet. “I don't want to play Harold anymore, but I don't want to stop acting.”
Smith first joined the show in 1987 and swiftly became a firm fan-favourite.
One of his most famous storylines saw him presumed dead after falling off a cliff in 1991 only to return five years later with amnesia.
Owing to his real-life diagnosis, Smith bowed out of the show this week with his character announcing he was moving to Port Douglas, Queensland, in emotional scenes that a featured a flashback montage of some of his best bits.
Smith admitted it was difficult to say goodbye to Harold for good and found his final episodes very hard to film.
He also said he would deeply miss his co-stars, whom he has come to consider “family”.
Adding: “I love them all dearly”.
His story as long as he has any say in the matter is far from over.
“I'm not cured, but I'm here. And I feel fine.” he concluded.
“I've been reborn and I've still got stories to tell.”
