Editing Harold Bishop (section)

===Reintroduction (1996)===
Smith returned to the role in 1996.<ref name="Bows">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8028314.stm|work=BBC News|title=Harold bows out of Ramsay Street|date=1 May 2009|access-date=27 March 2010}}</ref> He was initially asked to reprise the role for a three-month guest appearance.<ref name="SMurphy">{{cite magazine|last=Murphy|first=Steven|date=27 December 1997 – 9 January 1998|title=Back for good|magazine=[[Inside Soap]]|issue=91|page=15}}</ref> When the character's return proved popular with viewers, Smith was invited to re-join the regular cast along with Charleston.<ref name="SMurphy"/> Smith admitted that he had a feeling he and Charleston would be asked back, explaining "The producers were already talking about new storylines for Harold and Madge – and they don't waste time with things like that unless there's a reason behind it!"<ref name="SMurphy"/> Harold initially returns to Erinsborough alone to audition to become a tuba player in the Salvation Army band, but it soon becomes apparent that there is another reason for his return. Smith said "he feels that Madge has to get away from Brisbane, where they're living at the moment. The reason why is a really human one, and one I think most of the viewers will agree with."<ref name="SMurphy"/>

Harold became the second longest-running character in the show's history.<ref name="SheKnows">{{cite web|url=http://www.sheknows.com/uk/entertainment/articles/811570/8-most-memorable-neighbours-moments-1 |title=8 Most Memorable Neighbours moments |last=Megginson |first=Sarah |date=14 October 2009 |work=SheKnows Entertainment |access-date=28 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003180218/http://www.sheknows.com/uk/entertainment/articles/811570/8-most-memorable-neighbours-moments-1 |archive-date=3 October 2011 }}</ref> Smith decided to go part-time on the show in 2007. He had been ready to depart ''Neighbours'' for good, but the producers did not want him to leave. They then offered him a compromise, which would see Smith film for six weeks and then have a four-month break.<ref name="LetGo">{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/tv-radio/harold-sees-life-beyond-ramsay-st/story-e6frf9ho-1111115280675|title=Ian Smith prepares to let go of Neighbours' Harold Bishop|last=Devlyn|first=Darren|date=9 January 2008|work=[[Herald Sun]]|access-date=23 April 2011}}</ref> Smith said that he was "awfully glad" that the producers talked him into coming back and explained, "I'm not retiring, but I am walking away from having to work 13-hour days, day after day."<ref name="LetGo"/> Smith began appearing intermittently during 2008 and this forced the writers to take Harold in a new direction. Harold's first departure saw him leave Ramsay Street for a tour around Australia.<ref name="LetGo"/>