Editing Harold Bishop (section)

===Prostate cancer and departure (2008–09)===
In August 2008, it was announced that Smith had quit ''Neighbours''.<ref name="ToLeave">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2630920/Harold-Bishop-to-leave-Ramsay-Street-as-Ian-Smith-quits-Neighbours.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120703041611/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/2630920/Harold-Bishop-to-leave-Ramsay-Street-as-Ian-Smith-quits-Neighbours.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=3 July 2012|title=Harold Bishop to leave Ramsay Street as Ian Smith quits Neighbours|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]]|access-date=4 January 2010|first=Chris|last=Irvine|date=27 August 2008}}</ref> Paula Lucarelli of Network Ten said "When the discussions were made about his decision to go part-time last year, he said it was only going to be for a short time and then he would let us know. Production was aware that it would be coming."<ref name="ToLeave"/> Smith began filming his final scenes in October of that year for a departure in February 2009.<ref name="ToLeave"/> Smith revealed that he quit ''Neighbours'', so he could travel more and because he was getting "ongoing abuse" from local people.<ref name="Bows"/>

Chris Irvine from ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' reported that Harold would leave Erinsborough after winning a fight with [[prostate cancer]].<ref name="ToLeave"/> After Harold returned from a road trip, he accompanied Lou to see [[Karl Kennedy]] ([[Alan Fletcher (actor)|Alan Fletcher]]). Karl suggested Harold should have a check-up and Harold was later diagnosed with prostate cancer, which needed immediate medical attention.<ref name="FemaleFirst">{{cite web|url=http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/tv/Neighbours-53974.html|title=Harold Bishop Discovers Cancer|date=23 February 2009|publisher=Female First|access-date=23 April 2011|archive-date=13 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013183149/http://www.femalefirst.co.uk/tv/Neighbours-53974.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Due to Harold's Christian beliefs and the loss of Madge to cancer, he believed that the diagnosis was "fate trying to reunite them" and he refused treatment.<ref name="FemaleFirst"/> Fletcher said "Harold obviously has a lot of things to think about. He had to weigh up his belief that he'll be reunited with Madge against the love he feels for his friends and family who are still alive. It's a very difficult situation to be in."<ref name="FemaleFirst"/> Harold shut everyone out of his life as he tried to cope with the news. After speaking to neighbour and fellow cancer sufferer, [[Stephanie Scully]] ([[Carla Bonner]]), Harold eventually agreed to have surgery and underwent chemotherapy treatment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virginmedia.com/tvradio/soaps/soaptrivia/harold-bishop.php?ssid=11|title=Health scare|publisher=[[Virgin Media]]|access-date=23 April 2011|archive-date=1 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001191202/http://www.virginmedia.com/tvradio/soaps/soaptrivia/harold-bishop.php?ssid=11|url-status=live}}</ref>

While cheering up [[Donna Freedman]] ([[Margot Robbie]]) at the General Store, Harold had a heart attack, which left him fighting for his life.<ref name="DramaForHB">{{cite news|url=http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/news/Spoiler-Drama-Harold-Bishop/article-913590-detail/article.html|title=Drama for Harold Bishop|date=19 April 2009|work=[[Llanelli Star]]|access-date=23 April 2011}}</ref> His friends and neighbours held a 24-hour vigil at the hospital hoping he would pull through.<ref name="DramaForHB"/> Harold later flat-lined and Karl, despite knowing it could get him into trouble with the hospital authorities, went against Harold's wish to not be resuscitated.<ref name="DramaForHB"/> Fletcher commented "Harold's heart stops beating, so Karl chooses to override his wishes and bring him back to life. As he fears, Harold is furious with him when he regains consciousness, insisting that he wanted to be reunited with his beloved wife, Madge, who died of cancer. Because of Karl's actions, Harold feels as though Madge has been taken away from him twice."<ref name="DifficultD">{{cite journal|date=18–24 April 2009|title=Karl makes a difficult decision|journal=[[Inside Soap]]|pages=18–19}}</ref> Harold forgave Karl for saving him, but made it clear that he no longer wanted to live.<ref name="DramaForHB"/> Harold eventually recovered and he decided to leave Erinsborough to go and live with his granddaughter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virginmedia.com/tvradio/soaps/soaptrivia/harold-bishop.php?ssid=12|title=End of an era|publisher=[[Virgin Media]]|access-date=23 April 2011|archive-date=1 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001191245/http://www.virginmedia.com/tvradio/soaps/soaptrivia/harold-bishop.php?ssid=12|url-status=live}}</ref> Smith's final scenes as Harold were broadcast on 27 February 2009 in Australia.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/tv--radio/tv-highlights-friday-27th/2009/02/24/1235237654812.html|title=TV highlights, Friday 27th|last=Farrer|first=Gordon|date=27 February 2009|work=[[The Age]]|access-date=23 April 2011|archive-date=22 January 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100122185616/http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/tv--radio/tv-highlights-friday-27th/2009/02/24/1235237654812.html|url-status=live}}</ref> During an interview with ''[[Digital Spy]]'', executive producer [[Susan Bower]] said she regretted choosing not to kill Harold during the cancer storyline due to the attention his impending exit had garnered, but she remained pleased that the character was still alive. She added "we've got a lovely photograph of him in the store and we named the store after Harold, at least means that his spirit will always live on."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s14/neighbours/interviews/a158834/susan-bower-executive-producer-neighbours.html|title=Susan Bower (Executive Producer, 'Neighbours')|last=Rowe|first=Darren|date=19 June 2009|website=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=23 April 2011|archive-date=10 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610161151/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/s14/neighbours/interviews/a158834/susan-bower-executive-producer-neighbours.html|url-status=live}}</ref>