Neighbours icon Harold Bishop to return to Ramsay Street 15 years after exit

Neighbours icon Harold Bishop, portrayed by Ian Smith, is set to make a sensational return to Ramsay Street at the grand age of 85.

The beloved character, who left the show as a regular 15 years ago, will once again grace the Australian soap and its opening credits.

The official Neighbours X account excitedly announced: "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."

Smith's journey on Neighbours began in 1987 when he entered as Madge Mitchell's (played by Anne Charleston) former sweetheart.

Initially intended for a brief stint, Harold became a mainstay until a dramatic exit in 1991, where his character was presumed dead after being swept out to sea.

Harold made a miraculous comeback in 1996 and stayed on until 2009, facing a myriad of trials including burglary, a personality-altering stroke, and a near-fatal strangulation attempt on the man he held responsible for a plane crash that claimed his son's life.

Although Harold has popped up occasionally since his departure, including a cameo during the show's revival on Amazon Freevee last year, this marks his first potential long-term return since 2009.

Smith had previously expressed to TV Tonight, an Australian programme, his intentions to retire, reports Wales Online.

While the plot for Harold's return remains under wraps, fans are speculating that his previous comments about retirement and age could hint at a storyline involving Terese Willis (Rebekah Elmaloglou) and Jane Harris (Annie Jones) setting up a retirement community.

Despite not being a continuous cast member, Smith holds the record for the longest-serving actor on Neighbours in terms of episodes, having made his debut 37 years ago.

Neighbours airs new episodes from Monday to Thursday on Amazon Freevee.