Neighbours' Ian Smith Defies Cancer Diagnosis With Unexpected Style Makeover

Neighbours star Ian Smith has provided an uplifting health update as he continues his fight against terminal cancer.

Last December, the actor famous for portraying Harold Bishop over 37 years on Channel 5’s popular Australian soap revealed that he had been diagnosed with pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma.

Ian, aged 86, was informed that he wouldn't survive past March, yet he has astonishingly surpassed this bleak prediction and stated his intention to aim for "at least another year, possibly two."

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Appearing on The Morning Show, an Australian breakfast program, he disclosed that he unexpectedly changed his looks while giving a positive update.

He shared: "I have been diagnosed with cancer. This is something the doctors informed me about."

However, aside from that... There’s been no pain. I was expected to pass away in March... This has truly been the smoothest journey.

Describing himself as a 'test subject' for his medical procedures, Ian disclosed that his hair has significantly increased since beginning a novel treatment regimen.

He said, "I wish to continue indefinitely... I am not interested in playing Harold further, but I have no desire to cease acting altogether."

I might have never felt this good. Whenever people see me, they say, 'Check out your hair.'

It's clear they're all envious of me for having such thick hair. I underwent the treatment, began losing my locks, and ended up completely bald.

I proceeded with the immunotherapy and ended up growing a head full of curls...

Previously, he was told that he was anticipated to pass away by March of this year; however, thankfully, he has extended his life using immunotherapy.

He opened up about his condition on GMB, stating: "It's a cruel, ugly, brutal place, and I don't know how, but it looks like I'm having the best luck in the world with defeating this cancer.

"Although the oncologist can't tell me that, they said because this cancer is so rare, so drastic, so severe, so awful, they don't know, they don't know what it's going to do.

Following my final session, I enquired, "For how much longer will I need to continue these treatments?"

The doctor stated, 'No. Our knowledge regarding this form of cancer is limited, and therefore we cannot predict what might happen if you cease the treatment—it could potentially come back with renewed force.'

So I responded, 'For one-hour sessions every three weeks, I believe I can tolerate that,' and it seems these highly intelligent individuals will continue to keep me alive.